Françoise Montagu took charge of the De Saurma jewelery workshop in the late 1940s, launching it in 1945. Established business direction for a global client and a boutique in Paris. After Françoise inherited the business, her designs brought Nina Ricci and Franck & Fils as clients.
Montagu’s early jewelry, according to Florence Müller (author of a guide to vintage haute couture jewelry), is “recognizable by its copious use of enamel and iridescent glass beads.” However, these products are not labeled and are often difficult to correctly identify. Montague continued to work in the business through the 1950s and ’60s. He received awards, including the Grand Prix for the creation of fantasy jewelry in 1961.
Marion Stern took over the business in 1978 and still runs Françoise Montagu’s workshop in Paris.
