For Madame Nadine, designing jewelry is something that was not part of her life plan. A teacher by profession, she emphasizes that she is an educator first, and her jewelry designs are more of an unexpected gift. Despite having a full-time day job, this Canadian jewelry designer is making waves with her Victorian-inspired jewelry pieces. Her work has been featured on the red carpet at the 2020 Oscars, in fashion magazines, and on fashion week runways, along with gifting suites at Cannes, the Golden Globes, and the Emmys.

American Actress and Model Meagan Tandy, wearing Madame Nadine Jewelry. Photographer: Drew Blackwell

Even when her whole family was into arts, Madame Nadine’s passion for design did not start at a young age. Her passion for design started by chance. It was an unremarkable event that led her to discover a passion and the actualization of a dream that she had never before ventured to have. It all started the day that her husband gave her a piece of jewelry that she cherished as a gift. Even though the amber stone strung up on a string brought her a lot of pleasure, she wanted to find a way to make it even more unique and lovely. She decided to go to a craft shop to acquire all the materials she would need to construct the ideal jewel. She leaves the store having made purchases totaling $500. Everything is crafted by hand, from her hand-painted pendants to the nickel and lead-safe metals she uses in her designs.

Her passion comes from her near-death vehicular accident, even before starting her jewelry brand. That made her realize that life is such a beautiful thing. “I don’t want to lose a minute of it. So when I do something, I do it with passion. Getting to do something you are passionate about – knowing you are having fun and that there’s still so much to create and discover even though you’re getting older, is an amazing feeling. Age is just a number.”

(“Pretty Little Liars” star Shay Mitchell, wearing Madame Nadine Jewelry on the cover of La Palme. Photographer: Mike Rosenthal

While most of today’s jewelry designers use metals such as gold, silver, and white gold in their designs, Madame Nadine’s collections feature elegantly and delicately woven laces. Madame Nadine uses locally made laces and ensures that all the materials she uses are safe and of the highest quality. “Laces are elegant, so feminine, it’s so ‘dare to be different.'” She prides her jewelry as something that can be paired with anything – whether it be a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, or even formal attire. The inspiration for her design comes out naturally, and she draws it from anything she sees around her. Her unique use of lace as the framework of her pieces has caught the eyes of people all over the world, especially in Hollywood.

Because of Madame Nadine’s one-of-a-kind designs and pieces, she got a call from the queen of gifting suites herself, Nathalie Dubois’-Sissoko of Dubois’ Pelin and Associates Group, inviting her to join the DPA Pre-Oscars Gift Suite 2020. This event opened the door for her to step into the world of Hollywood, where her designs have been worn by celebrities such as Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars, Dollface), Megan Tandy (Batwoman, Teen Wolf, E! News), and Chloe Bridges (Pretty Little Liars, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam). Three of the 30 jewelry pieces she brought to the DPA Pre-Oscars Gift Suite in 2020 were worn on the red carpet.

Actress Rachel Bilson wearing Madame Nadine Jewelry. Photographer: Brooke Nippar

Madame Nadine aims to arm women with freedom in her designs. She describes her collection as “feminine, timeless, and unique. She says, “I want to empower women to say ‘I am worth it.'” Madame Nadine is continually inspired to develop and re-invent designs that women of all ages can wear for any event by the power that comes from uplifting other women. “Empowering women through the jewelry I make is something very special to me because, in a way, I make a difference in their lives by making them feel beautiful and confident. It may be for one evening, but they felt beautiful.”

The passion in Madame Nadine’s heart is still burning as bright as ever. Her mere presence breathes life into anyone who gets the opportunity to talk with her. Her life experiences and the challenges she faced only make her pieces more unique – created with love and passion. She is strengthened by an intense sense of appreciation as well as a desire to spread her inspiring message. In the words of Madame Nadine herself, “dare to be different.”

For more on Madame Nadine, visit her website at madamenadinedesigns.com.