Temple St. Clair

Temple St. Clair Makes Fine Jewelry for Dolphins

Temple St. Clair is a jeweler we love, and finding out she'd created a collection in support of Japanese dolphins (like the 18K Dolphin Pendant with Blue Moonstone at right, $8,750.00) made us love her all the more.

Forty percent of the proceeds from Temple's Dolphin Pendants and Ring collection is being donated to Save Japan Dolphins, an organization working to fight the sharp decline in the dolphin population which was recently exposed in the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove.

We asked Temple about her collection and how her past inspired her to create jewelry for dolphins -- or at least in support of them.

Luxist: How long has the collection existed, and has it always been in support of Japan Dolphins?

Temple St. Clair: The dolphin pendants are part of my Tree of Life collection, an environmentally inspired collection. In this collection, a dragonfly represents clean air; a lion cub represents conservation of our terrestrial environment; and the dolphin symbolizes the wellbeing of our oceans. My dolphin image is inspired by the classical Greek representation of a dolphin that saved a drowning boy and delivered him safely to the shore of the modern day Italian city, Taranto. A beautiful Greek coin exists with the image of the boy riding the dolphin. I made several dolphins as part of the Tree of Life collection both with blue sapphires and diamonds and in all gold. There has been such a positive reaction to the dolphins, along with a passionate desire to support them, that I have recently added a silver dolphin pendant so that the cause can expand more widely.

L: How did you get involved with the Japanese dolphin cause?

TSC: I have been involved with the sea since a very young age, learning to scuba dive at fourteen. I seriously considered pursuing marine biology, participating in marine study projects in the Caribbean and Honduras with Jean-Michel Cousteau during college summers. I also spent my teenage years surrounded by dolphins in the tidal creeks on the coast of South Carolina where my family lived. After seeing The Cove, Ric O'Barry's remark, "Either you are an activist or a non-activist," inspired me to be active. The most logical way for me to be "active" is through the medium I work in. If I can make my jewelry work for a cause, it is a great satisfaction and inspiration for me that I can help make a difference.

L: How long will the opportunity to support dolphins with purchase be available?

TSC: I plan to continue my support of the efforts made by Ric O'Barry and SaveJapanDolphins.org until the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan is stopped. I plan to continue support of marine mammals in general, and to raise awareness regarding Sea World and "swim with dolphins" programs. Marine mammals are highly developed social creatures that should not be held in captivity to serve as circus animals. Operations such as Sea World, drive the slaughter of dolphins in Japan by creating a high priced market for the animals. The "show worthy" dolphins are captured to put on display while the rest are slaughtered; their very toxic flesh is sold as whale meat to unsuspecting Japanese.

You can view the entire collection here in our gallery, or visit Temple St. Clair to purchase.

Gallery: Temple St. Clair - Save the Dolphins

18K Small Dolphin Pendant with Pav� Diamonds

Tags: designer interview, Dolphins, Sea World, Temple St. Clair, The Cove

From The Runway To The Design Board: How Fashion Inspires Jewelry Design

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

The relationship between fashion and jewelry design is one that works in two ways, jewelry can often inspire fashion design and haute couture also provides inspiration for jewelry designers. Jewelry designer Temple St. Clair tells us about the fashion designs that have influenced her work:

Designer Influence – Where does inspiration come from?

The source of inspiration is personal and particular to the individual. I have made the act of being inspired part of my life. I am constantly open to ideas and things or concepts that catch my attention. I am not merely in the business of making jewelry just to make a ring, bracelet, or necklace. I have to be amused, interested, caught in an imaginary world that I can then translate in to a jewel.

I enjoy the work of other designers particularly those that seem to create their own themes in worlds of color, pattern and design, those that create a journey in their work that tells a story.

I love fashion. A few of my favorites captivate me with their creativity and sometimes, outrageousness. Perennial favorites are Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Alexander McQueen who we have recently so tragically lost. I also love Valentino for his romance and undying attention to detail. Each one of these designers creates for a new world. They create treasures that become collectible "works" that can be worn for decades.

Each of these designers has a strong point of view. At Comme des Garcons, Rei Kawakubo artfully deconstructs the classic idea of clothing to create something whimsical and new. I have collected pieces from Comme des Garcons for years. I pull them out time and again and they still feel fresh and fun to wear.

Jean-Paul Gaultier plays with iconography and big themes. One of my favorites from years ago was his Tibetan collection. He created a Parisian chic crossed with the garb of Tibetan monks from the high Himalayas. It was a rich collection whose imagery has stayed with me.

The extremely talented, Alexander McQueen, had only shown us the tip of the iceberg of his creativity. His shows are pure theater yet many of his pieces are timelessly classic. He was truly a young master. I will treasure my pieces by him.

Tags: fashion week fall 2010, jewelry, jewelry designers, temple st clair, temple st. clair

Continue reading “From The Runway To The Design Board: How Fashion Inspires Jewelry Design”

Readers' Choice Award Nominees for Best in Accessories

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Best Jewelry Line
Each of the Readers' Choice nominees for Best Jewelry Line is a leader in the industry. One is not only known for its signature jewelry, but also for the blue box that it comes in. Another is known for its handcrafted pieces, but it is also known for its many innovations. Another nominee is a newer designer on the scene who is inspired by Florentine jewelry-making, but also astronomy, celestial, mythological and astrological influences. Another nominee is synonymous with glamour and fame and has ties to some of the world's most famous jewels. Finally, there's a nominee known for the panache of its founder, as well as its vast collection of the world's finest diamonds.
Graff Diamonds
Harry Winston
Temple St. Clair
Tiffany & Co.
Van Cleef & Arpels

Best Watch Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Watch Line nominees include a perennially favored brand among the watch-loving elite that is known for making the most complex wrist watch in the world. Another nominee is known for its functionally-themed luxury sport watches. The third nominee, while an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, is known for being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future. A fourth nominee is perhaps the best-known luxury watch brand in the world, with a stellar reputation to match. Lastly, there's a watchmaker that epitomizes Swiss haute horology with its modern classics and technical innovation.
Audemars Piguet
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Patek Philippe
Rolex

Best Leathergoods Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Leathergoods Line for a Luxist Award include award-winning brands from France, Italy and London. One started out making equestrian equipment in 1837, and still makes its goods by hand; some of its handbags are so coveted, there's a two-year long wait list to buy one. Another was started in London by a former fashion editor who partnered with a couture shoe maker to create a company now synonymous with the "red carpet". The third nominee is known for its clean lines and simple classic color palettes while the fourth is a global force of tradition and innovation. And finally, the last nominee epitomizes luxury with its delectable designer bags and vaunted luggage--some of which command five figure prices.
Bottega Veneta
Gucci
Hermes
Jimmy Choo
Louis Vuitton

Best Department Store/Boutique
Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best Department Store/Boutique include one based in London that has no fewer than 330 different departments, a staff of 5,000 from 50 different countries and is visited by as many as 300,000 people on a single day. Another, with roots in Texas, is known for its superior customer service, in addition to its luxury merchandise, including some of the world's most extravagant items. One New York-based store has a shoe department that is so large, it was given its own zip code. Another Manhattan-based store specializes in hard-to-find international designers, many of which it will help launch into fame. Lastly, there's an upstart from London that is so cutting-edge and up-to-date, it launches 300 new styles on a weekly basis.
Barneys New York
Harrods
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Top Shop

Best Clothing Designer
Readers' Choice nominees for Best Clothing Designer are award-winning fashion designers from Italy, England, France and the United States. One was started by a wunderkind who was named chief designer of one of the most respected fashion houses when he was still in his 20's. Another has been one of the leading names in fashion for nearly 100 years. A third nominee, known for its timeless style, has outfitted First Ladies on both sides of the aisle for decades while the fourth is famed for its understated elegance. The final nominee is synonymous with high fashion though its roots are in luggage and leather goods.
Alexander McQueen
Chanel
Gucci
Oscar de la Renta
Prada