From 9 April to 9 May, WHITEbIRD welcomes Montreal-based jeweller Nina Janvier for an exclusive online pop-up, celebrating pearls in a playful, poetic and almost pop spirit.
An independent designer established in Montreal for over a decade, Nina Janvier creates pieces that sit at the crossroads between art object and everyday jewel: modular, sensual, sometimes pop, always designed “for those who make their life a work of art.”

It is this singular vision that led Stéphanie Roger to invite her into the world of WHITEbIRD, for a limited-time online pop-up centred around the Marinera collection.
To mark this collaboration, we spoke with Nina about her journey, her inspirations, her relationship to materials and to beauty. A conversation across the Atlantic, shaped by art, jewellery, freedom and the need to create beyond conventions.

1. Hello Nina, we are happy to welcome you to WHITEbIRD. Could you introduce your brand in a few words?

I launched my eponymous brand in Montreal in 2015. I work with silver, brass and gold, as well as pearls and gemstones, in my studio. My work explores individuality and freedom through an aesthetic that is both elegant and playful. I enjoy playing with contrasts and asymmetry to create joyful pieces that spark curiosity through subtle, slightly unexpected details.

2. Jewellery marked a turning point in your life following your move to Montreal in 2014. What led you to it, and what made you want to pursue it professionally?

Jewellery has always held a strong emotional value for me. My mother would give me a piece at every important moment in my life, and I keep them like small treasures, each one tied to a memory.

At the same time, I have always felt the need to create with my hands, whether through clothing, jewellery or ceramics. I was drawn to fashion and the arts, but I lacked the confidence to begin.

Moving to Montreal changed that. Starting from scratch, wanting to meet people and build something new, gave me the momentum I needed to begin training. I chose jewellery because I see it as both a small art object and a fashion accessory, something that allows you to stand out. It brought together everything I was looking for.

3. Could you tell us about your creative process? How does a Nina Janvier piece come to life?

My creative process is quite long and can take several months. It begins with an impulse, something that draws my attention: an object, a theme, a style that I explore from every angle. I need time to reflect and deconstruct before making decisions.

I do a lot of sketching and research while thinking about the collection as a whole: materials, shapes, visuals and even the text. Once the concept feels fully explored, I move to the bench, sculpting my ideas in wax or working directly in metal. I accumulate prototypes until a coherent whole emerges, then select the pieces that will form the collection.

4. What inspires your collections, and in particular the Marinera collection and your emblematic Soga necklace presented at WHITEbIRD?

For Marinera, I drew inspiration from the maritime and port landscapes of my native Normandy. I had images of rough seas, chains, ropes, sometimes harsh conditions. My love of contrast led me to balance this with softness and femininity, expressed through vibrant colours and fluid forms.

The Soga necklace (rope in Spanish) is the key piece. It reinterprets the traditional pearl necklace by highlighting the knots in its construction and a layered clasp inspired by the erosion of Normandy’s chalk cliffs. The jade version evokes the colour of the seabed, while sodalite recalls waves streaked with foam.

The collection is completed by Escama, Ola and Concha pieces, inspired by ship chains, scales and the imprints left by the sea on sand.

5. You say your pieces are designed “for those who make their life a work of art”. It’s a message we hold dear. Could you tell us more about this idea?

I love the idea that my clients take part in the creation of their jewellery by composing their own combinations. Thanks to magnetic clasps, pieces can be mixed and transformed: a bracelet can become a necklace extension, an earring can be worn alone or as a pair to play with asymmetry, a stacking ring can completely change character depending on how it is worn.

In a way, you become the artist of your own piece. They are small works in motion, evolving over time and telling a personal story.

6. Your first collection was inspired by Dada and Surrealism. What drew you to these movements?

I am drawn to their playful nature, their freedom of expression and abstract forms that leave room for interpretation. I had a lot of fun with the Dada collection. It already featured asymmetrical pieces full of movement, with earrings to mix and match, or double-sided pendants featuring the eye motif, symbolising both the artist’s gaze and the dream.

It was also at that time that I began introducing pearls and colour into my work, bringing life and contrast to my designs.

7. Your pieces are modular. What is your favourite combination among those presented at WHITEbIRD?

It’s hard to choose, but I particularly love the jade necklace paired with a pearl necklace on a neon pink thread, wrapped together around the neck for a bold look. It also works beautifully with the Soga Twist pieces.

8. Your brand is growing steadily. What are your ambitions for the future?

I would like to expand the range while maintaining a local, artisanal production. I currently work mostly on my own, but I would love to grow and build a small team, like a human-scale studio and workshop that would allow me to develop further.

I also hope to continue expanding internationally, particularly in France, which would give me a good excuse to return more often.

9. You have been living in Montreal for over ten years. Could you share a few of your favourite addresses? And a nearby escape that reminds you why you chose Quebec?

It’s impossible to choose just three. I love Knuckles restaurant in Villeray, the Cœur d’Artichaut boutique and the Un livre à soi bookshop in Petit Laurier, as well as Kei Akai gallery in the Golden Square Mile and L’Affichiste in Old Montreal.

And the best escape is spending a couple of days in a cabin with friends, two or three hours away, enjoying a lake in summer or a cosy moment surrounded by snowy landscapes in winter.

10. You often work with pearls. What draws you to this organic gem?

Its lustre and reflections. Whether perfectly round or irregular, there is something inherently gentle about pearls that soothes the soul. It is simple, and it is beautiful.

11. Which artists inspire you?

Sophie Taeuber-Arp and Jean Arp, Sonia Delaunay, Brancusi, Monet…

12. Mini Chinese portrait:

If you were…
a stone: a kasumiga pearl
a flower: jasmine
a dish: a dessert, chocolate fondant or lemon meringue pie
an artwork: Monet’s Water Lilies
a book or author: the Malaussène series by Daniel Pennac
a place or landscape: the cliffs of Étretat

13. A final word, from Stéphanie Roger, founder of WHITEbIRD.

Stéphanie, what made you want to introduce Nina Janvier at WHITEbIRD?

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