There’s a new star in the Instagram jewelry world! His real world stylings of gorgeous brooches and stickpins – mainly dainty Georgian era antiques – caught my eye on IG a few weeks ago and I absolutely must share his man brooch mastery with you.
This dapper mystery gentleman prefers to keep his real world identity a secret, I’m going to take my cue from his Instagram username and simply refer to him as Le Marquis.
This is probably most showstopping photo Le Marquis has shared to date, a bold showcase shot of his staggering collection of small antique mourning pins. Little pieces like this are wonderful individually, but seeing them all together like this is jaw-dropping.
The majority of Le Marquis’ Instagram snaps are real life man brooch jewelry stylings, rather than amazing showcase photos like the one above. The day to day styles may not be quite as spectacular, but they’re even more inspiring. So many men shy away from jewelry, but Le Marquis seamlessly integrates his little historical treasures into day-to-day looks that are both professional and chic.
You know I’m a longtime wannabe brooch wearer: I admire brooches on other people but I’m not great at wearing them myself. Following Le Marquis on IG has given me a world of new brooch inspiration. It would never have occurred to style any of the above pins together…but they’re all so perfect!!
Some of his style moves are specific to men’s clothing (you know I enjoy a well-placed man brooch) but the principles are applicable to ladies’ clothes too…and who says ties are just for men, also?
Sometimes Le Marquis matches colors, sometimes he goes for contrast. Sometimes he tells a story, sometimes he just accentuates shape. Other times there are placements that seem random, but which somehow work perfectly. Through his Instagram, Le Marquis is teaching us all a visual lesson in how to seamlessly and gloriously integrate antique brooches into the modern day to day wardrobe.
Le Marquis also sometimes shares planning photos: a single brooch with multiple tie options, or a tie with a handful of brooches. I love these behind the scenes peeks.
As the trend for converting brooches and stickpins into rings, necklaces, and stud earrings rages, it’s refreshing to see Le Marquis wearing these little beauties as they were meant to be worn.
Not that I’m opposed to a good conversion piece: but I do worry that the antique jewelry community has become a little overzealous in that department. Some pins should get to be pins!
What do you think of this man brooch magic, my darlings? Are you ready to run out and buy some pins?
All photos c/o Le Marquis.
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If I won, I’d love to get the necklace. It’s a beautiful piece and since my daughter likes to borrow my jewelry she’d like this piece too. It’s so universal and subtly stunning. Very nice piece. I wish I could say I would gift this to my daughter but it’s really too nice.
Ahaha I think letting her borrow it sometimes would be enough! Even that is very nice of you. Thanks for entering and good luck!
OOOH! I love me some brooches! I also don’t wear them as much as I would like — nor do I have that fabulous collection — but I’m glad you shared this wonderful insta account!
So inspiring, right?? I’m determined to do better with brooches. I just need to buy some…
I have been following this man too and I am really glad that he wears the brooches the way they should be worn #bringbackthebrooch. I wear all my brooches and have never converted any. I wear them on my blouses, jeans, jackets , as chokers with ribbons and even wear them in my hair. I am so glad that Becky wrote on Le Marquis because it is a real eye opener to some people. After reading this article , I am pretty sure some of antique jewellery lovers out there are going to pay more attention to brooches and pins wearing them as they are in various creative styles.
Yay!! Thank you so much for this lovely comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed my blog post!
*thud as body hits the floor*
Chorus: Well, that was dramatic!
I apologize; I haven’t commented in a good long while, but life, to borrow the old cliché, is what happens when you’re making other plans.
Changing the subject, I too stand in awe of Le Marquis and his brooches–it reminds me of this story I read once about an elderly Belgian aristocrat who had taken to wearing Art Deco brooches on his lapel starting at the age of seventeen. A chatelaine brooch and a rooster sharing space on the same tie? I FAINT. Teach me your ways, Le Marquis! (And could I steal–er, borrow–some of your exquisite brooches while we’re at it?)
I’d love some brooches for myself: Depending on the era, I can see in my mind’s eye the middle-class women, the aristocratic ladies and rakehells, the starchy Mrs. Grundies, the young romantic hopefuls, the members of the demi-monde, the society beauties, and the career women who used to wear them. And I suspect I could take some lessons from nofixedstars–she sounds like a regular maven when it comes to brooches and how to wear them. (Additional experiment: Try pinning one on the sleeve of your shirt, sweater, blouse, or jacket [inspiration 1940s photo].)
Loving this post!
I am loving this comment!!! You’re making some magic here yourself. I will always be delighted to see you in my comment section, as rarely or as frequently as you’re able to chime in.
My blushes! But thank you, I try. I’m delighted to be back.
I lost most of the jewelry I had a few months ago; I haven’t had the inclination to wear the one bracelet left. (Why is it that people keep me giving me things with beads? They’re lovely, but most of them no longer fit my personality or my style, if they ever did.)
That said, when my ship comes in, I do like the idea of a small splurge once I have everything else squared away. Brooches seem just the thing. They’re more versatile, it seems to me, than a necklace, a bracelet, a ring, or a pair of earrings in that there are more ways to wear them.
I’m highly in favor of treating oneself to a little something special when possible! If brooches are what floats your boat, then I think a brooch is the perfect way to go.
xoxo,
Becky
I’ll certainly do that–when I can. I can’t remember not loving brooches; I carry vivid memories of rummaging through my mother’s jewelry box for some of my grandmother’s old costume pieces. (Little did I know that those would be considered highly collectible; hindsight is always twenty-twenty, and the costume brooches are long gone. Gah!)
I do like the notion of something contemporary from Baiyang Qiu, or even a piece from Marsh & Co. at their Art Deco height. And some of the pieces Erte designed in the late eighties look utterly delicious even today. (Yes, I am a nerd; I do my research when it comes to something I’m smitten with.) I could go on and on, reeling off the names of bucket-list pieces, but I think I’ll spare you that. Brooches…sigh!
Oh I love Baiyang Qiu’s designs!! Her work is truly something special. Have you met her? I adore her – she’s sweet, smart, and so fun to talk to.
I also love the contrast of your dream pieces: Marsh & Co and classic Erte are so different, so distinctive, and so very fabulous. Your taste is as eclectic as my own.
In other words: you’re my kind of nerd and I love your bucket list.
I haven’t met her, but I’ve seen her website and follow her on Twitter. I love what she does with wire, gold or platinum.
They do contrast in many ways, don’t they? But they have thematic similarities–the easy bridging of abstract and stylized images, unusual cuts and settings for gems, a marriage of wit and whimsy with androgynous overtones, stones normally overlooked or ignored (here’s looking at you, topaz and jade), a feel of :”found objects”, dedicated craftsmanship. No matter the era or style, then, these qualities are what I’m attracted to in jewelry for either gender.
So yes, give me all of your brooches, but also give me your cufflinks, your stickpins, your signet rings… I like what I like, in other words, and it’s evident that you do as well. Brava!
I love to see anyone – male or female – demonstrating beautiful ways to style antique jewelry. His IG is definitely a master class!
Agreed on all counts! Truly interesting real world jewelry style is probably my very favorite thing.
I don’t like putting holes in my clothes- so I use pin converters to hand them from chains- because I cannot bring myself to physically change the brooch itself. The next owner might want to use it as intended…
Hang them from chains! I hate typos
I love that approach! What a great idea. I worry about putting holes in my clothes, too.
i think these look fantastic! how refreshing to see someone—especially a gent—wearing the pretties, and being bold about it. he has a great sense of style.
myself, i like pins! i wouldn’t convert my old ones because i actually think brooches are super-versatile as they are. i put them on shirts, hats, collars, lapels, coats, at the centre of a neckline, off to the side, and at the waist sometimes on a dress or sash. pins for the win!
I completely agree! It truly is refreshing and inspiring.
Also, it sounds like you have some strong brooch style game yourself!! I want to get better at brooches.