Hamptons-based designer Marija Iva Djordjevic recently launched her new jewelry brand MARIJA IVA. Each piece of jewelry in her line is designed to be timeless and wearable every day, and are high-quality creations.
Marija Iva splits her time between the Hamptons and Tribeca. She was trained as a goldsmith, raised in Belgrade, and studied jewelry design in Paris before moving to Geneva for her role as senior jewelry designer at Piaget, where she worked for twelve years. She then went on to New York City where she opened a studio and launched her fine jewelry brand—MARIJA IVA.
Many places in her travels have inspired her work, especially the Hamptons. Her Hamptons Collection was specifically designed in East Hampton, and it captures the essence of escaping out East, being present among the water and sun. Marija Iva spoke more about her brand, her inspiration, and what she loves most about being located on the East End.
What is the MARIJA IVA brand all about?
MI: MARIJA IVA offers timeless, high quality fine jewelry pieces with effortless appeal. My designs are meant to be worn every day, on the go! I don’t like to chase trends. I prefer to follow my own creative inspirations. My goal is to design and create future heirlooms that become personal to whoever wears them.
What are some of the quintessential creations that make up the brand? What are your favorites to create?
MI: It’s so hard to pick! I feel like there is so much of me in every piece, but if I had to choose, I would say the Eden collection as this was the first collection I designed. I developed the concept while pregnant with my daughter, and to me the snake symbolizes wisdom and strength. The Divine collection is also incredibly special to me. It was inspired by a gift my father gave me years ago, so of course the cross symbol is very personal to me and resonates deeply with many people for various other reasons. The beautiful, colorful gemstones I chose for the Divine Collection bring even more depth and dimension to the designs.
What’s your go-to piece of jewelry?
MI: My Eden Ring. As I said, I designed this piece during my pregnancy with my daughter Dana, and to me, this snake motif symbolizes strength. It makes me feel powerful every day, and not only that, it elevates any outfit. I never leave home without it!
How would you describe the style of MARIJA IVA and what sets it apart from other jewelry brands?
MI: MARIJA IVA is a stand-out fine jewelry brand offering classic styles with a modern twist. Those who wear MARIJA IVA jewelry designs appreciate their superior quality. Each piece is crafted to last for generations.
I picture the MARIJA IVA wearer as a woman who knows what she likes and is not afraid to veer away from trends. She knows her own personal style and is comfortable being herself. She is a modern cosmopolitan whose style reflects diverse inspirations. Like me, she might be equally inspired by old-world European elegance and edgy New York City street style.
Also, I believe that the superior quality of the jewelry sets it apart from other brands. MARIJA IVA jewelry is handcrafted in New York by master jewelers using only the finest materials. Because I am a trained bench jeweler, I have a deep understanding of the creative process. I know how a piece can be built to last for a lifetime and beyond, and this knowledge helps me oversee each detail from design to production and fabrication to ensure the highest quality.
Do the Hamptons inspire your designs? And do you create pieces with specific places in mind?
MI: The Hamptons is my idyllic escape from the busy city of New York, a place where I have the freedom and peace to design and generate new ideas. The Hamptons collection specifically is heavily influenced by summers spent in East Hampton. The turquoise blue of the stones mirrors the ocean, and the gold, of course, the sunshine.
Aside from the Hamptons collection, I don’t design with specific places in mind. However, everywhere I have lived from Paris and Geneva, to Belgrade and New York—they all heavily influence my artistic perspective.
I love the classic elegance of Paris and Geneva in contrast with the bustling creativity in New York, and of course, where it all began, the love I have for my own hometown, Belgrade. These influences, together with the inspiring people I have met and things I have seen, combine into one well of inspiration and which emerge in different ways in each piece I create for MARIJA IVA.
Can you talk a bit about your background and how you got started in this business?
MI: After studying in Paris for years, and growing up immersed in art, I knew the art of jewelry design was my passion. I began to work as a senior designer for a very prestigious brand, designing pieces for them which allowed me to grow and develop as an artist. However, I always dreamed of realizing my own creations. I wanted the ability to create a piece and to put my name on it. Once I moved to New York, I knew it was now or never.
When and why did you decide to start MARIJA IVA? Was it always your goal to have a jewelry brand?
MI: To have my own jewelry brand was always the dream. I think I have really been working toward this goal since I studied jewelry design in Paris. As the only non-Parisian there, I learned the importance of carving my own path with courage. After studying, I moved to Geneva to work for Piaget as a designer. There, I had the freedom to really develop my craft and express my creativity, creating signature designs for the brand that I remain proud to know will forever be an essential part of the brand archive. However, I just couldn’t let go of my dream to create my own brand.
I moved to New York in 2019 with my husband, it was the first of many big changes and moves in my life. I was pregnant with my daughter in the midst of a global pandemic, and that time of so much uncertainty actually reaffirmed my desire to finally set in motion my plans for MARIJA IVA jewelry and launch my first five collections.
What’s your favorite pastime in the Hamptons?
MI: The Hamptons to me represents a peaceful abstention from all the craziness that is New York. I have created a home with my family and my favorite thing to do is to simply be present with my daughter and my husband. We spend our time reading, watching movies, cooking, and walking on the beach. My favorite pastime in the Hamptons is simply to be with my family with no distractions.
What led you to East Hampton?
MI: There is no denying how beautiful East Hampton is, from the long rolling beaches of white sand to the scorching summer sun and all the beautiful stores and restaurants. It’s hard to imagine this peaceful place is only a few hours from New York City. The first time I visited East Hampton, I really fell in love with this special place.
Where can people find your brand?
MI: My brand is online at the moment at marijaiva.com, but I look forward to announcing some various trunk shows and local private sales soon.
What has been the biggest factor in your success?
MI: I think the biggest factor in my success is the true immersion I have had in art and design since a very early age. My father is a patron of the Arts in Serbia, and I really grew up with a true appreciation for design.
Studying in one of the most prestigious art colleges in Paris and then working for such a luxurious brand honed my understanding of the finer details of designing and producing jewelry at the highest level. This experience means I can be involved in and understand every step in the process of jewelry creation. This brand is my passion and something I have been working on my entire life. I think this passion and knowledge is what sets me apart from other brands.
Marija Iva is excited to share her designs and brand, and she invites everyone to follow along with her journey on Instagram at marijaiva. jewelry and shop online at marijaiva.com.
