Monday, December 19, 2011

5 Minutes With...

Stephen Webster

Stephen Webster, best known for being a rock star jewelry designer to the world’s most famous celebrities, has recently expanded his iconic line to include bridal jewelry. His offerings are a mix of unique and classic pieces, differentiated by their use of Forevermark Diamonds. With an excellent sense of humor and wit, Stephen shares his design aesthetic and a heaping dose of personality with us in this enlightening interview.

WHAT SETS YOUR JEWELRY DESIGNS APART?

All of my work is a reflection of my personality. I am fortunate that selfishly, I have pursued topics and inspirations from my life’s experiences and translated them into our many collections. Within all of them there is vibrancy. I am a cheery fellow.

WHERE DID YOU DRAW THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEW BRIDAL COLLECTION?

The collection is inspired by traditional designs with a contemporary twist and draws upon iconic Webster design features. Made up of wedding bands, exquisite engagement rings, and earrings, the collection is set in 18ct Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold with Forevermark diamonds.

WHAT ARE FOREVERMARK DIAMONDS?

Each Forevermark diamond is inscribed with a promise; a promise that the diamond is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced. Forevermark diamonds are the world’s most carefully selected diamonds and come from sources which are committed to high business, social and environmental standards. These standards ensure that not only are Forevermark diamonds conflict-free, but that they actually benefit the communities from which they originate. Each Forevermark diamond is inscribed with the Forevermark icon together with an individual number that identifies it as unique. Seen only through a special Forevermark viewer, it is proof that the diamond has met Forevermark’s standards of assurance, quality and integrity.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE CHOICE TO DEVELOP YOUR LINE WITH FOREVERMARK DIAMONDS.

Earlier in the year, I visited gold mines in Peru in order to see first-hand the difference between fair-mined gold and a regular gold supply chain. I have since become a spokesman for Fairtrade gold and our partnership with Forevermark now allows us to be certain that our diamonds are responsibly sourced and cared for at every stage of their journey, as well as being among the finest in the world. More and more consumers are questioning the origins of the things they buy and Stephen Webster likes to ask the same questions.

YOU’RE KNOWN FOR BEING A ROCK STAR’S JEWELER. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO EXPAND INTO BRIDAL JEWELRY?

Creating engagement rings and wedding bands isn’t a completely new thing to us; even though there has never been a complete collection it doesn't mean we’ve not been in the bridal business at all. Equally, we have always been a company that feels responsible for the pieces we create and so we are proud to be working with both Forevermark diamonds and Fairtrade Gold on our bridal collection.

DO YOU INTEND TO BRING SOME OF YOUR ROCK ‘N ROLL AESTHETIC TO THE MODERN BRIDE?

The Bridal collection is definitely more classical than some of our other fine jewelry collections but there is always a Stephen Webster edge in all of the pieces I design. White gold and platinum tend to be the most popular metals but rose gold is very fashionable at the moment. Brown diamonds are also proving to be more and more popular, so we have added these into the collection too.

IF YOU WEREN’T A JEWELRY DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

I write a column for Russian Rolling Stone magazine and I’d love to write a book one day.

THE SOUNDTRACK IN YOUR HEAD WHILE YOU WORK ON NEW DESIGNS IS…

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi’s “Rome”, featuring Jack White and Nora, was the last piece of music I downloaded. All of my life I would have put myself down as a rock ‘n’ roll fan but in the last couple of years the music I have been listening to is as far removed from that as possible. The album before last was called “Queen of Denmark” by John Grant.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? ANY EXCITING NEW PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON?

Where to start… Continued expansion into the emerging markets and further development of brand extensions with a lifestyle element is the set agenda. Developing new categories such as sunglasses, accessories, watches, as well as new jewelry collections. Each week a new project comes up… variety is the spice of life!

interviewd by CAROLINE SEIF|written by GRACE GORDON

Stephen Webster jewelry is available in Dubai exclusively at Azal, Emirates Towers.