Feminine Energy: Navigating the World of Jewellery with Marceline Paris Founder Anne-Marie Le Flanchec

When the KaterinaPerez.com team were discussing this year's International Women's Day on Saturday, March 8, our conversation turned to the ways in which our favourite female designers are navigating what is so often described as a 'man's world'. We began thinking of those who've made big strides in the last 12 months, all while trusting their own instincts, maintaining their creativity, and staying focused on business success. Anne-Marie Le Flanchec of Marceline Paris fits this description perfectly, so we decided to ask her advice on a range of topics that are relevant to all women in jewellery, like ignoring the competition, navigating big challenges, and finding balance. Here's what she had to say…

Marceline Paris has been on our radar here at KaterinaPerez.com for some time. It has been through an interesting transition over the last 18 months, which you can read about here, but what's emerged is a brand with a distinctive and feminine point of view, imbued with Parisian flair and a deeper sense of spirituality and connection. Throughout my conversation with Anne-Marie, it was clear that she totally embodies all that Marceline Paris represents, including its quiet confidence and authenticity. This is a woman who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to follow her instincts.

I think we can see this personal strength in her jewels, too, which are rooted in a confident, commanding femininity that's not satisfied to disappear into the background. There's the Amrita collection with chunky cabochons paired with domed diamond pavé to evoke the "equilibrium of energy between two opposites". Another favourite is The Akasha collection with rings, bracelets and necklaces with moveable rings of precious metal. All symbolise a nurturing inner voice, guiding the wearer in the right direction. 

Sometimes, we all need a little guidance, which is why we've asked Anne-Marie to tell us how she navigates the world of jewellery below. Her thoughts are a good reminder that we are always growing, learning and adapting to what life throws our way, but we can do so with optimism and authenticity. 

On Tackling Big Challenges with Confidence 

"It was a relief to change AWKN1 into Marceline Paris. I felt good about it because although AKWN1 represents something very dear to me – spirituality in daily life - I felt the need to integrate my Parisian roots into the brand. With everything you do in life, I think if you question too much, if you hesitate, if you're not sure, it's not going to work. You really need to have confidence and trust that what you are doing is right. For me, I knew it was right because it's not easy to find a brand name, so to discover I could register the intellectual property, buy the website address, the Instagram profile… it felt like fate or a positive echo from the universe."

On Trusting Your Inner Voice and Gut Instincts 

"Primarily, I tend to go with my instincts. This has led to three big groups of collections that are the 'face' of Marceline. I trust that deeply, and I believe it's an approach that's different, innovative, and not what everyone else is doing. There's the guilloché and flinking techniques in the Seven Sisters, Wisdom Graffiti and the Love Frequency collections, the colour and volume in the Amrita collection, and the playful, moving elements in the Akasha collection. When I create, I have to love, I have to trust, and I have to be able to wear what I create. In fact, I only wear what I create.

"This is a big difference between male and female designers. We can try jewellery, wear it and see if it's comfortable for other women. When I do shows abroad, such as in the Middle East, we meet mostly women who buy their own jewellery and who relate to our personal style and the way we wear pieces. This is a wonderful acknowledgement that my inner voice and instincts have led me in the right direction."

On Ignoring the Competition and Trusting Your Creative Process

"You have to trust yourself in terms of design. You have to believe in what is coming out of you and go with the flow of creativity. After 25 years of experience in designing jewellery, I don't feel like I am in competition with anyone. You can only be distracted by others when your creative energy is not strong. As your creative process matures and develops, you will find that you trust what you're doing more implicitly.”

On Finding the Fuel for Creativity

"I don't need to travel; I feel that at this point, I can access my creativity and get into the flow of a collection without going anywhere. At this stage, it is more important for me to be disciplined and not create too much! I have to structure the brand and work within those collections to develop an identity. New pieces help to evolve the collections that are already there. I feel Marceline Paris is at that junction where we need structure. This is something that all designers building a brand can benefit from, knowing when to create and when to reflect."

On Masculine and Feminine Energy at Work

"It's a man's world. On the business side, I would say you have to play the game of yin and yang, depending on who you are dealing with. Sometimes, you must be a little bit more assertive and tap into the yang (masculine) energy. In the beginning, I didn't like this; I felt more connected to my yin energy and my feminine side. It's a dance, and sometimes it's not easy. Now, though, I feel grounded in both and have a more balanced relationship with the business side of jewellery."

On Balance and the Sacrifices Required to Run a Business

"I'm not balanced. It is difficult to be balanced when you have a business, so you need to make compromises. I spend time with my family, I meditate every day in the morning, but I am not going on as many retreats as I used to, which is where I found my real balance. But I think it's just a moment in my life, and I am embracing it. Having a brand requires some sacrifice. I am gentle with myself but strong in the ways that I need to be at this pivotal time in Marceline Paris' development. Perhaps in a few years, things will change, and I will be freer. Having a business comes with the drive to create, to offer something new, and to bring your own contributions to create something unique. Lots of new brands are drawn to copy big, established brands. They try to fit in. This is not my style."

It is very refreshing to hear someone talk about a lack of balance rather than having everything perfectly arranged across work and life. We all know nothing is as simple as that! Anne-Marie is a great example of someone who is putting 100% effort and energy into her brand, knowing all that hard work will pay off in the years to come. Looking ahead, we can expect new, entry-level additions to the colourful Amrita collection in Spring/Summer 2025, as well as some new high jewels from the Flowers of Life collection for the autumn months. We can't wait to see what comes next!