Stephen Webster to host British bling ring’s up-and-coming designers
For one day only, luxury jewelry designer Stephen Webster will be showcasing the handiwork of nine up-and-coming U.K. jewelry designers for purchase by the public at his Beverly Hills boutique.
The Wednesday showcase is part of the British Fashion Council’s “Rock Vault” program designed to nurture that country’s fine jewelry talent by increasing international exposure.
This year’s participating designers -- and their wares -- are heading to Beverly Hills fresh off the program’s sophomore outing at the Couture jewelry show in Las Vegas that ended Monday. That’s where bad boy jeweler Webster’s curated cadre of creatives were responsible for some of the show’s most unique offerings, proving that London is not only a hotbed for fashion talent, but for fine jewelry talent as well.
Inspired by the crafting traditions of India and the Silk Road, and the extraordinary jewelry of the maharajas, Alice Ciccolini showed hand-carved rings with Burmese rubies, pink amethysts and other stones, in elaborate etched enamel settings, and sculptural quartz necklaces featuring pendants carved after temple roofs and lotus buds.
Imogen Belfield created molten nugget-like or “rockesque” jewelry inspired by Greek and Roman antiquities, including body chains, chunky bracelets and rings.
Jo Hayes Ward’s pieces are sculpted from tiny hexagon-shapes, fitted together like building blocks to create a dynamic and ultra-modern look.
Not your mother’s pearls, Melanie Georgacopoulos’ work uses pearls and organic stones in carefully balanced compositions that are as artful as they are contemporary.
“Jackie’s tough as bloody hell; when she’s in a workshop she’s wearing a gas mask, grinding everything herself,” Webster says of designer Jacqueline Cullen and her spikey jet creations with porcupine quill-like forms — collars and bracelets finished with the faceted tips of black diamonds.
Yunus & Eliza’s mythological-meets-modern day collection included some seriously funky pieces, including a chunky, winged a Poseidon-shaped ring, and another ring with a round shape made of colorful crocodile skin coated in resin.
Ornella Ianuzzi combined cut gemstones and diamonds on glamorous pieces, including a triple-star ring; Fernando Jorge executed fluid and sculpturally organic rings and earrings that call to mind bejeweled tear drops; and Tomasz Donocik created luxe leather bracelets with removable diamond and gemstone charms.
“After a second hugely successful show in Las Vegas, we are excited to show Rock Vault for the first time outside of the U.K. to the public,” Webster said. “Going forward, Rock Vault will show in very select venues around the world. The Stephen Webster boutique in Beverly Hills is proud to host the inaugural event.”
Webster, who routinely uses his Beverly Hills boutique as part exhibition space, part modern-day salon, is actually opening the doors of the Rock Vault for two days including a private, invite-only preview event Tuesday evening.
For those too far afield to pop in to the pop-up bling thing, collections by the nine Rock Vault designers will also be available online exclusively through private shopping site Crest & Co.
Rock Vault at Stephen Webster, 202 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday.
Los Angeles Times fashion critic Booth Moore contributed to this report.
