If your holiday wish list leans toward pieces that feel personal, poetic, and a little bit like a sun-soaked day at the shore, Piper & Pearl Jewelry belongs on your radar. Founded by Montréal designer Christina, the brand blends dainty modern design with coastal nostalgia—think luminous pearls, delicate seashell motifs, and minimalist gold accents that instantly transport you to a serene Canadian summer.
With a curated vintage collection already winning hearts and a brand-new line of vintage engagement rings launching next month, Piper & Pearl is shaping up to be one of the season’s most meaningful gifting destinations. We caught up with Christina to chat inspiration, craftsmanship, and her favourite holiday gift ideas for the ocean-lover in your life. —Noa Nichol
What inspired the creation of Piper & Pearl, and how did the Canadian coastline shape the brand’s identity and design philosophy?
The Canadian coastline really is at the heart of my brand’s identity. Living by the shores of the St-Lawrence River and being surrounded by Canada’s expansive, rugged coastal landscapes has deeply influenced my creative vision for my brand.
Pearls are at the heart of my brand and ethos and I wanted to bring back the elegance of them in a modern way. Pearls are unique like every woman, they have imperfections but a natural beauty and singularity making them precious. I also wanted to show to women that pearls aren’t reserved for your grandmother’s wardrobe and their timelessness translates across generations.
Canada’s coastline continues to shape my design philosophy: celebrating organic beauty, embracing what is raw and real, and creating pieces that feel soulful, effortless, and timeless.
Your pieces capture such a serene, coastal elegance. How do you translate the feeling of summer by the sea into jewelry that people want to wear year-round—especially during the holidays?
All of my designs are intentionally crafted with keeping in mind that jewelry should be easy and effortless. I want my clients to feel like they can wear these designs for any moment. When I design a piece I really think of what outfit it would complement or what moment it could elevate. My jewelry designs have a very sentimental feeling to them. So whether our seashell and pearl motif necklace reminds you of your incredible summer vacation or our heart locket is a piece you put over your knit jumper in the cozy winter, these pieces are meant to make you feel special at any time of the year.
Holiday gifting often calls for pieces that feel both meaningful and timeless. What Piper & Pearl designs do you find resonate most as holiday gifts, and why?
Holiday gifting can often feel so intimidating for people. You want to offer something meaningful that a special person in your life will cherish and love. Our jewelry designs that are popular for the holiday season are often our jewelry bracelet and necklace sets (Chrissy Set), our male clientele love to offer this as a special gift. Another popular piece for the holidays is our heart locket necklace (Rose Necklace). Our clientele loves this piece for its sentimental touch, the fact that you can put a photo of a loved one in this jewelry piece makes it so sweet and nostalgic.
You recently introduced a curated vintage jewelry collection and will soon launch vintage engagement rings. What drew you to vintage, and how does it complement your existing coastal-inspired aesthetic?
What first drew me to vintage jewelry was the timeless elegance I saw in the women who defined classic Hollywood. I’ve always been inspired by the style of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly—those iconic beauties whose fashion shaped an era and still influences the world today. Their effortless grace and refined simplicity made me fall in love with a style that feels eternal. Growing up, I was surrounded by a family that collected jewelry and antiques, so I developed an early appreciation for pieces with history and soul. That sense of legacy stayed with me.
Our philosophy with our brand has always been rooted in individuality and longevity. And that’s what we aim for with the upcoming release of our vintage engagement rings. This collection will really be for the person looking to propose with a very one-of-a-kind engagement ring that they wouldn’t normally find at a classic jeweler, a design with unique hand craftsmanship from the 40’s or 50’s. Our aim is to honor both history and modernity, bridging past and present with this upcoming collection.
What’s incredible with fashion is whether it’s a well-worn leather jacket or a vintage brooch from the 1940s that’s been passed down, wearing these pieces keeps their story alive. You get to style them in a completely new way, yet still honour where they came from—and that, to me, is incredibly meaningful.
The rise of handmade and small-batch gifting feels especially relevant this season. Why do you think shoppers are gravitating toward artisanal jewelry over mass-produced pieces?
We’re proud that by offering our clients one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry alongside intentional small collections handcrafted in our atelier, we celebrate rarity while embracing sustainability. Shoppers are increasingly drawn to artisanal pieces because they tell a story—each piece carries meaning, history, or the personal touch of the maker.
I think it’s incredible how much this generation is leaning into vintage or slow fashion because it shows a real appreciation for craftsmanship, sentiment, and the stories behind each piece. There’s something special about jewelry and style that carry a sense of history—people are craving authenticity, uniqueness, and pieces that feel personal rather than mass-produced.
As a Montréal-based founder, how does living in a vibrant, design-driven city influence your creative process—especially as you plan seasonal collections?
Living in Montréal offers a beautiful duality that deeply drives my creative process as the founder of Piper & Pearl Jewelry. I love venturing into the vibrant heart of the city for supplier meetings or appointments. I always feel surrounded by its art, architecture, and the mix of people from all over the world—there’s a constant energy and diversity with a European flair that makes Montréal feel so unique.
At the same time, living closer to nature along the St. Lawrence River allows me to slow down, recharge, and gain clarity. The calm, restorative surroundings give me the space to reflect and let ideas emerge naturally, helping me balance the bold energy of the city and having that duality is something that grounds me in my business. Being an entrepreneur can be challenging and stressful at times, so having those moments to recharge in nature is wonderful—it allows me to reset, gain perspective, and return to my work with renewed clarity and creativity.
Pearls and seashell motifs feel both nostalgic and modern right now. What trends or materials are inspiring you for the holiday season and into 2026?
Vintage jewelry is really making a splash right now, and I love how it aligns with the shift toward quiet luxury—pieces that feel timeless, thoughtful, and personal rather than flashy.
I’m especially inspired by bold, vintage-inspired earrings and statement rings, which feel both nostalgic and modern. Silver jewelry is having a moment, and I see mixed metals, nature-inspired motifs, and vintage or antique-style rings continuing to grow in popularity into 2026—Taylor Swift’s antique cushion-cut diamond has only amplified this trend. Overall, I’m drawn to pieces that balance elegance with individuality, offering something meaningful that can be worn for years to come.
If you could style the ultimate holiday look around a Piper & Pearl piece, what would it be—and what makes that piece such a standout for festive dressing?
For me, the ultimate holiday look starts with a classic little black dress with a décolleté—it’s the perfect canvas to showcase a statement necklace from Piper & Pearl, our signature freshwater pearl and seashell motif necklace.
Complimenting this holiday look I would style a long, vintage-inspired fur coat with one of our vintage gemstone and diamond brooches pinned on the lapel, paired with elegant slingbacks or kitten heeled booties. It adds just the right amount of festive sparkle while keeping the look timeless and sophisticated.
To me, these pieces stand out because they elevate an outfit with effortless elegance, telling a story while feeling personal and celebratory for the holidays.
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January 19th, 2026 at 2:15 am
Beautiful coastal-inspired designs.