How Natural Diamond Jewelry is Redefining French Girl Style

When you think of French girl style, images of effortlessly cool Parisiennes in minimalist-yet-sophisticated ensembles à la Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot, and Charlotte Gainsbourg may come to mind. Today’s French-born style stars, however, are giving the fashion troupe a makeover through looks that are all about personality, and they’re using natural diamond jewelry to help shift the narrative along the way.

“French jewelry style has somewhat always been very classic, chic and delicate but over the years it took a turn,” says Caroline and Serge Muller, founders of fine jewelry boutique Mad Lords. Now in its 10^th year, Mad Lords, which carries brands like Maria Tash, Jacquie Aiche and Céline d’Aoust and can be found in St. Tropez, along the coast in Deauvillue, and a flagship on Rue Saint-Honoré in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. “We have been seeing more of a colorful, bohemian vibe and lots of layered necklaces. It keeps evolving.”

Among the most common styles being worn by France’s most fashionable are multi-drop natural diamond necklaces, small diamond hoop earrings, and statement diamond rings that are often accented with colorful gemstones. When French fashionistas want to think outside of the box, the Mullers are also seeing women turn to wearing earscapes, ankle bracelets, signet rings worn on the pinky finger and women wearing statement men’s rings in unexpected ways.

So who are the style stars leading the next wave of French style? The Mullers say to keep an eye out on Caroline de Maigret, Camille Charrière, Adèle Exarchopoulos and couple Alice Barbier & js Roques.

Model Tina Kunakey makes understated French glamour her own, frequently collaborating with maisons like Bulgari to create head-turning red carpet looks, and YouTube star Léna Mahfouf also adds sparkle to her outfits with layered bracelets, rings, and a statement necklace.

While countless French women are approaching diamond jewelry styling in a fun and refreshing way, the Mullers say that French men are still warming up to the idea of wearing ice. “Diamond jewelry isn’t as popular amongst French men as it is amongst French women, but men are definitely wearing more silver bangles and necklaces mixed with diamonds.” Several notable French male celebrities have don diamonds recently, including actor Sami Outalbali’s Boucheron look at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

As for style rules when it comes to transitioning your jewelry wardrobe this fall and winter, the Mullers offer advice that, like classic French style, is accessible and timeless. “Always feeling comfortable wearing the pieces you want is the only rule to keep in mind, as there are no rules when it comes to transitioning into a new season.”