c.1960, French designer Marcel Boucher’s protégé, Maurice Bradden Earrings

D’Orlan Jewelry was founded in the late 1950s in Toronto, Canada, by French designer Marcel Boucher’s protégé, Maurice Bradden. Bradden trained under Boucher, who was already renowned for his exquisite costume jewelry, and carried his mentor’s high standards of craftsmanship and creativity into his own designs.

D’Orlan became celebrated for its luxurious costume jewelry featuring high-quality materials such as triple-layered 22K gold plating, Swarovski crystals, and fine enameling. The company used innovative techniques, including a special process that made their gold plating tarnish-resistant, ensuring durability and lasting beauty.

In the 1970s, D’Orlan established a licensing agreement with the French design house Nina Ricci, producing exclusive jewelry collections under the Nina Ricci brand. This collaboration elevated D’Orlan’s reputation on the global stage.