Karen Webster, President and Co-Founder of Glitterrings just launched jewelry line last month exemplifying more than 30 years of expertise in the fashion jewelry industry. Glitterrings redefines glamour, elegance and luxury by introducing to us exceptional designs, quality and price. So here at Jones, we got a chance to talk to Karen Webster on her jewelry line,being in the fashion industry and celebrity collaboration.
1.Where are you from and did that inspire your jewelry style?
I am from NY and have always been interested in fashion. I started sewing my own clothes when I was 12 years old, and then pursued Fashion Design at Cornell University. That experienced really helped to drive my passion to create interesting and beautiful things.
2.How did you come about making jewelry?
I started in the jewelry industry in 1990 as an assistant buyer in Costume Jewelry for Hecht Co., a Washington DC based division of the late May Co. I was always the buyer that was looking for something different and pushing my vendors to develop new finishes, colors and styles that I could turn into bestselling looks that would maximize our sales. After several years, that “pushing” was noted when one of my vendors was looking for a product manager for BIJOUX GIVENCHY brand jewelry and tapped me for the position. That position gave me the opportunity to travel the Asia where we enjoyed a strong business and, of course, to Paris, France to see the amazing runway shows and work with the creative GIVENCHY team there.
3.What year did you launch your line/where are you based?
GLITTERRINGS just launched in May of 2011. We have a NY city showroom which also serves as the office for Sales, Marketing, PR, Design and Product Development. Our main office in CA handles all of administrative and shipping operations.
4.How long have you been in the Fashion Industry?
I have been working in the fashion industry, for 27 years, since 1984 when I took my first job as an assistant manager at Plymouth Shops (Career Fashions for Women) in Washington DC. I spent 6 years in retail sales management at various companies which gave me an advantage as I moved into the buying office where my experiences gave me a unique perspective on buying product assortments and executing presentations at point of sale. In turn my buying experience gave me another advantage as I moved into the wholesale/manufacturing world, as I had a keen understanding of what would sell in terms of style and price, and on how concepts would execute on the sales floor. On the manufacturing side I gained a world of knowledge regarding design and product development. Cumulatively all of my experiences have given me a very well rounded perspective and skill set that brought GLITTERRINGS to life.
5.What the most challenging aspect of the business your in?
Singularly, the most challenging aspect would be staying competitive….in styling and price. In the costume jewelry world price value is paramount. With so many manufacturers and brands in the market all vying for the same customers, it is a critical to stay tuned into your customer’s needs for styling and price/value. Our particular challenge is price as we use higher than average materials. GLIITTERRINGS was founded on providing high quality fashion jewelry for an affordable price. I think of GLITTERRINGS as investment fashion jewelry – In the end this means that you will be able to wear GLIITERRINGS for many years, with proper care, versus tossing it after 3 wears because the plating wore off or the stones fell out. Educating our customers about the quality and workmanship of GLITTERRINGS is key to our success.
6.What makes your line different than other jewelry designers?
The design, quality and workmanship differentiate GLITTERRINGS from its competitors. We have designers all over the Globe working with us bringing new ideas and fresh points of view from Europe to Asia.
7.Who/what inspire your collection?
Anything and everything visual can serve as inspiration from nature and different cultures to architecture and furniture.
8.I see your jewelry line specializes in rings, do you think in the future you'll be expanding?
Yes! As a manufacturer we produce all classifications of jewelry and Have already started the line expansion with the introduction of the Princess jewelry collection inspired by Princess Kate.
9. Are there any celebrity sightings, found wearing your rings?
Not yet, but we will soon be announcing an exciting celebrity collaboration.
10. Are there any new and exciting pieces coming out for soon?
Yes. We have just introduced some amazing new styling in wood and also new designs in all jet black metal and stones – very dramatic and on trend! 2 Finger rings are still trending and we offer several of those as well.
Article: Jonesmagazine.com/Rings: glitterrings.com
This collection certainly boasts some unique styles such as the corset ring....I look forward to upcoming collections.
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Pete Doherty and Rose Forde join Hannah Martin in designing a jewellery collection inspired by aspects of history and the future.
Working in collaboration with British jeweller Hannah Martin, Peter Doherty and Rose Forde form Albion Trinketry - a new jewellery label borne from a longing to re-introduce the days when every man had a piece of jewellery to wear with his Sunday best. Inspired by Doherty's obsession with antiques and trinkets, and Martin’s bespoke approach to design has ensured a collection that is both original and timeless. Each piece has a sense of regency and history with a modern take, reflecting the past whilst also giving a nod to the future.
The aim during the design process was to create collectables that will last the test of time and be handed down through the generations. This 15-piece collection, consisting of cufflinks, rings, pins and chains for the neck and watch, are adaptable and interlinked. A carved medal inspired by the British Raj features throughout the range, which is produced with oxidized sterling silver, 18 carat rose gold, mammoth tusk and black diamonds. All production takes place in the UK, using skilled craftsman from the Midlands and Hatton Garden, places both famed for authentic British expertise in making jewellery. Each piece is finished by hand, using lengthy and traditional techniques that make each piece a true modern luxury.
(dazeddigital.com)
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Kevia Jeffrey-West's exposure to the world of fashion began at the ripe age of five, a period often spent admiring her mother's clothing sketches and playing with fabric swatches. Over time, she developed an eye for color, contrast, texture and detail: skills she now uses to design her line of jewelry and handbags.
Jeffrey-West began developing jewelry for her personal collection while studying in Zimbabwe as an undergraduate at Lewis & Clark College in 1997 and 1999. She collected locally mined and cut stones, sketched designs, and found local jewelers to make her creations. While completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology and social change, she worked in the fields of urban environmental policy, community outreach, and social justice for eight years. Her community and academic work led to a full ride fellowship in an education research and policy PhD program at the University of California Santa Barbara in 2003.
While living in Santa Barbara, she once again began creating jewelry in her spare time, the designer notes, "The natural beauty of the coastal region is vividly striking and inspiring. My partner and I lived in a two-bedroom apartment; I had a balcony garden but really needed something more substantial to occupy my creative energy." Only three short months after being approached by a local boutique to develop items for their store, Kevia's jewelry was being carried in 20 high-end Southern California boutiques including Wendy Foster in Montecito. Kevia decided to officially launch her line in the winter of 2005 using her own namesake, which means "beautiful child."
The small list of stores carrying her jewelry rapidly grew to over four hundred stores in six hundred locations by 2008. In addition to gracing the shelves of high-end boutiques across numerous continents, Kevia's collection has been featured in several renowned publications including InStyle, Lucky, Life & Style, People Espanola, and Real Simple. Her work has been seen on Desperate Housewives, Private Practice, Lie to Me, and the movie 27 Dresses. Katherine Heigl, Norah Jones, Amy Brenneman, and Teri Hatcher have been spotted wearing her jewelry.
kevia.biz/jewelry: blueluxe.com
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