Stephen Webster

Bal Harbour, FL – January 30, 2014 – Creating big, bold pieces, Stephen Webster’s work stands apart from his contemporaries for its unusual use of coloured gems and exotic designs that blend exquisite technical expertise with modern culture. Guests joined Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour and jewelry designer Stephen Webster for an evening featuring his magical new collection Fly By Night and a viewing of his silver as well as his distinctly masculine men’s collection. Green up-light enhanced the Precious Jewels Salon creating a nature/forest ambiance as branches and mossy greens filled the vitrines with the jewels in order to further showcase the theme of the Fly By Night collection. The collection was inspired by nocturnal winged creatures found within enchanting forests. Delicious bites and champagne were provided for attendees to enjoy as models showcased the gems and the men’s line. Event hosts Greg Melvin and Paolo Ambu, from BABALU Miami/Palm Beach, joined to help bring a fashionable VIP crowd for the evening. We were able to catch up with Webster as he gave us a look into his rise to becoming one of the most diverse designers in the game, where his inspirations come from as well as how he plans to continue his legacy.

Stephen Webster

It’s not about being hip or young; it’s about attracting people who are simply intrigued.

Stephen Webster

 

 

Fernanda Uesler

How did you first get your start in jewelry design?

I sort of stumbled upon it. I went to art school when I was 16 to be a fashion designer and I quickly learned that I didn’t like it as far as I could see because it was all about girls and sewing machines and I wasn’t prepared for that. But, while I was in art school I discovered jewelry and that was it really. I was only 16 and had never done anything else. That was 37 years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Tell us about the process of finding inspiration for your collections?

I get my inspiration from many places all over the world. I’d like to say there is a sense of fun in all of my collections and I think it shows. Each collection looks like it has a story behind it and that’s purposeful. I try to make pieces that feel like there’s something more to them than just basic diamonds or gold. I’ve always wanted my designs to be something that looked a bit different, like a lobster on your finger. That is our niche and has kept me totally interested in this business. I love gems, and I love finding things that aren’t obvious. In the end jewelry is jewelry and everyone has their own reason for buying it but I think my place is for people to have it fit, feel good and glamorous while also feeling that they’re having a bit of fun with it; its sort of half the story.

Carol G

Do you ever find it hard to find inspiration after so many years?

I know I can take anything and turn it into a story. A poem, visual reference, or a piece of music, so many things help with inspiration. It’s very rare that we say something isn’t working.

I try to make pieces that feel like there’s something more to them than just basic diamonds or gold.

Stephen Webster

What are some of your favorite stones and metals to work with?

Right now there is a peridot that is so extraordinary and is not like a normal peridot, which I find fascinating. That peridot hasn’t been enhanced or messed with; it’s gorgeous straight from the ground. When I find gems like that they become my favorite for the day. As far as metal is concerned, it definitely is going to be 18 karat gold. I’ve worked with every kind of metal you name it but I come back to gold because there’s something about gold that really works; it does everything you want it to do that some other metals just don’t. 

What would you say sets you apart from other jewelry designers in the industry?

I suppose it’s provocative but also a bit progressive. When we were first started getting a lot of attention and recognition it was because I was doing something that was absolutely not out there, it caused a stir. I remember when I did my first couture show in Las Vegas everybody wanted to write about it because it felt different. Those pieces were a little bit left field but became mainstream. I wouldn’t have had the same attention if I didn’t have that moment. Something like that puts you on the map. It is important to have a line that’s different than everybody else’s.

 There’s something about gold that really works; it does everything you want it to do that some other metals just don’t.

Stephen Webster

What can we expect from your collection for Spring 2014?

My collection that will launch in the spring is called Albion Rose. It was inspired by a William Blake poem about mythological giants that came to England and rose out of out of this sea. It has a take on “britishness” that has nothing to do with flags or jacks, it’s a take on about being British. The collection is wonderfully abstract.

What kind of person wears your jewelry?

I met Cookie today, she’s 97 and was here on the very first day Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour opened thirty something years ago. She bought herself a present today, a ring of mine. She was wearing a skull and crossbones necklace. She was incredibly alive and brilliant. I only mention her because my clients are very widespread. It’s not about being hip or young; it’s about attracting people who are simply intrigued.

Tell me about your collection your showcasing today.

My current collection that I am debuting today at Neiman Marcus is a about a fantasy creature called Fly by Night. It is based off of this sort of butterfly, moth creature, something like that gives me enough to make a collection. It’s amazing how people look for things that they sort of want to recognize something in it. That was just part of a collection I did of a fantasy forest.

What has been the most memorable moment in your career thus far?

Last year I got a medal from the Queen, which was pretty cool. I received the medal for mentoring young jewelry designers called Rock Vault where I brought them around everywhere and introduced them to my world as a designer. It’s really great that we now we have so many young jewelers wanting to get involved which is an amazing thing because that means it has worked. To be recognized for that was incredible. Being with my family, being at Buckingham palace, receiving a medal was really awesome.

What do you find most rewarding in your design career?

Being in a position where we have a business that employs 90 people including my original team is most rewarding. Although the business aspect is not all fun and games all the time, we have a nice spirit in the business. They enjoy working here as much as I enjoy them and that’s so rewarding to me. They also find it rewarding because we sort have built this business together.

You’ve taught these young designers so much, have you learned anything from them?

Yes, I love how creative young people are. I don’t know if it is necessarily being taught or more about being surprised constantly by the creativity of other people. I think what I like about that is now there is a place for nearly all of them.

What do you think the future holds for you in this industry?

It’s quite interesting actually because it is changing which I’m happy about because I was right there in the earlier days when was I was hoping for a change. Industries are slow to change. There is a traditional jeweler and there is a place for that no question about it, but at the time nearly everyone was a traditional jeweler so now there’s many other possibilities. I’m always surprising my clients. You’ve got to do something different to make it in the jewelry industry. It’s now possible with jewelry to totally think out of the box, and many jewelers don’t think out of the box.

Carol G, Stephen Webster, & Fernanda Uesler

Fernanda Uesler, Javier Acosta, & Carol G

Paolo Ambu, Stephen Webster, & Greg Melvin

Stephen Webster & Frances Esquenazi

Fernanda Uesler, Paolo Ambu, Javier Acosta, Gerg Melvin, & Carol G

Fernanda Uesler, Adriana Companet, & Allen Tuller

Javier Acosta

Aulden Brown

Elias Synalovski, Paolo Ambu, & Greg Melvin

Frank Longo & Michael Larkin

Greg Melvin, Frances Esquenazi, Stephen Webster, & Paolo Ambu

Javier Acosta, Stephen Webster, & Carol G

Lizi Vanselow & Stephen Webster

Marina & Sergey Golovkov

Stephen Webster & Adriana Companet

Stephen Webster & Marcella Novela

Stephen Webster & Paolo Ambu

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