ROBERT LEE MORRIS
GALLERY
Here are some vintage but super iconic photos we took, all in-house for the exhibition catalogs we made for Artwear.
Here are some vintage but super iconic photos we took, all in-house for the exhibition catalogs we made for Artwear.
Some of my favorite jingly jangly charm bracelets for Donna…finally as part of my huge new load of my archival DK pieces on my website. This massive golden pebble cluster bracelet had a chain that you threaded thru the loops and pulled it tight to fit. Bianca Jagger ordered a pair of these in 1986 and had to be custom made for her extremely tiny wrists…she would try them on at our vanity table in the middle of Artwear gallery facing the huge picture window onto West Broadway. Pedestrians would stop and crowd the window to watch me playing with Biancas wrists. Anyone remember that Window?
Some of my favorite jingly jangly charm bracelets for Donna…finally as part of my huge new load of my archival DK pieces on my website. This massive golden pebble cluster bracelet had a chain that you threaded thru the loops and pulled it tight to fit. Bianca Jagger ordered a pair of these in 1986 and had to be custom made for her extremely tiny wrists…she would try them on at our vanity table in the middle of Artwear gallery facing the huge picture window onto West Broadway. Pedestrians would stop and crowd the window to watch me playing with Biancas wrists. Anyone remember that Window?
In keeping with the theme of jewelry I made for Donna Karan, these pieces were from the fall 1986 collection where I used carnelian, jadeite and black onyx against a 24k gold background. Using these marvelous solid brass Prueffer Drops of ball shapes that hung off the neck as luxurious fringe, this was a very hot selling family of jewels.
For those of you checking with the newly launched DK collection from G-111 I have a few of the original jewels you might like. 😎
We all called this the Caviar collection because of the use of all these tiny gold balls. Donna always said she LOVED gold balls…
In keeping with the theme of jewelry I made for Donna Karan, these pieces were from the fall 1986 collection where I used carnelian, jadeite and black onyx against a 24k gold background. Using these marvelous solid brass Prueffer Drops of ball shapes that hung off the neck as luxurious fringe, this was a very hot selling family of jewels.
For those of you checking with the newly launched DK collection from G-111 I have a few of the original jewels you might like. 😎
We all called this the Caviar collection because of the use of all these tiny gold balls. Donna always said she LOVED gold balls…
There it is all in one amazing shot!
This weekend I celebrate many things. One EASTER and another is a nod to the new Donna Karan launch where a lot of my signature bold gold jewelry is being used to add iconic elements to a super ad campaign by Trey Laird. Memories of some glorious key pieces like the Triple Strand gold pearl torsade as seen in the 1985 launch of DK. I have so many of these classic pieces but so far I am way behind in listing much of them on my site. Here are a few that are actually live onsite…
Got to get to work and list about more now that the look is BACK!
This weekend I celebrate many things. One EASTER and another is a nod to the new Donna Karan launch where a lot of my signature bold gold jewelry is being used to add iconic elements to a super ad campaign by Trey Laird. Memories of some glorious key pieces like the Triple Strand gold pearl torsade as seen in the 1985 launch of DK. I have so many of these classic pieces but so far I am way behind in listing much of them on my site. Here are a few that are actually live onsite…
Got to get to work and list about more now that the look is BACK!
My inspiration and how it is revealed in many of my fluid works.
Tone’ Vigeland has passed into Heaven as of yesterday. I have loved that woman for decades, amazed at her work, like this soft slip on silver bangle with the protruding rods. When I gave her her first exhibition in America, very early 80’s she took the city by storm. Her work filled Artwear Gallery with mind boggling jewelry constructions that set the bar very high for all others to admire. I continued to represent her and show her work as well as purchase as much of it as I could afford for years. I don`t have that much left but I see the value of her work skyrocket in the last ten years and am so proud to have now at least a few pieces.
Tone’ embodied the spirit of Viking lore, Viking power and energy. Her family were leading artists in OSLO Norway, and Vigeland sculpture park was named after her grandfather. I have not been able to visit with her for many years though I dreamt of going to Oslo to reconnect with her. For anyone who owns and wears her work, join me in a moment of solitude, tears and prayer for one who walked as a giant in our midst. @vigeland_wood
Tone’ Vigeland has passed into Heaven as of yesterday. I have loved that woman for decades, amazed at her work, like this soft slip on silver bangle with the protruding rods. When I gave her her first exhibition in America, very early 80’s she took the city by storm. Her work filled Artwear Gallery with mind boggling jewelry constructions that set the bar very high for all others to admire. I continued to represent her and show her work as well as purchase as much of it as I could afford for years. I don`t have that much left but I see the value of her work skyrocket in the last ten years and am so proud to have now at least a few pieces.
Tone’ embodied the spirit of Viking lore, Viking power and energy. Her family were leading artists in OSLO Norway, and Vigeland sculpture park was named after her grandfather. I have not been able to visit with her for many years though I dreamt of going to Oslo to reconnect with her. For anyone who owns and wears her work, join me in a moment of solitude, tears and prayer for one who walked as a giant in our midst. @vigeland_wood
My Colossal Buckle Bracelet is really big. Bold gold extreme but in a muted antiqued warm brass. This is a bracelet that works as a freestanding sculpture. Created during the intensely exciting explosion of my belt buckles for Donna Karan in the mid to late 80”s, it is one of my favorite archives. Recently listed on my site. Wearable and wonderful. (if I do say myself).
My Colossal Buckle Bracelet is really big. Bold gold extreme but in a muted antiqued warm brass. This is a bracelet that works as a freestanding sculpture. Created during the intensely exciting explosion of my belt buckles for Donna Karan in the mid to late 80”s, it is one of my favorite archives. Recently listed on my site. Wearable and wonderful. (if I do say myself).
My SAIL sculptures. On my website under Shop RLM>Home accessories & Sculptures. Sized from 5” dia to 18” dia so clusters of two or three are very affordable ways to brighten up ones home. Started making them in the very 2000’s.
My SAIL sculptures. On my website under Shop RLM>Home accessories & Sculptures. Sized from 5” dia to 18” dia so clusters of two or three are very affordable ways to brighten up ones home. Started making them in the very 2000’s.
TONE’VIGELAND silver soft flexible slip-on bangles so amazing. They are part of my private collection still available on my website. Divine insane constructions by the most famous Norwegian female artist. Her work now commands serious prices due to her fame and rarity of remaining works available to purchase. Plus she is still one of my most favorite people in the world!!
TONE’VIGELAND silver soft flexible slip-on bangles so amazing. They are part of my private collection still available on my website. Divine insane constructions by the most famous Norwegian female artist. Her work now commands serious prices due to her fame and rarity of remaining works available to purchase. Plus she is still one of my most favorite people in the world!!
Just a reminder that my signed 2004 book by Abrams THE POWER OF JEWELRY is available through my website. While this book is 20 years old, it can never grow out of style due to the eye candy photography of Carl Scheffel. Accept for the Aly with Talons which is by Matthew Royston. I had a ball writing it and think it`s time for a tell all book next!!
Just a reminder that my signed 2004 book by Abrams THE POWER OF JEWELRY is available through my website. While this book is 20 years old, it can never grow out of style due to the eye candy photography of Carl Scheffel. Accept for the Aly with Talons which is by Matthew Royston. I had a ball writing it and think it`s time for a tell all book next!!
BOLD GOLD EARRINGS, my 18k gold plated brass constructions from the glamorous era of the 80’s, still have gobsmacking impact 40 years later. These extra long babies were perfect for strutting down West Broadway and other catwalks during a golden age of fashion.
BOLD GOLD EARRINGS, my 18k gold plated brass constructions from the glamorous era of the 80’s, still have gobsmacking impact 40 years later. These extra long babies were perfect for strutting down West Broadway and other catwalks during a golden age of fashion.
Just uncovered a pair of belts that are on hold for a collector. From my earliest days in the city, maybe 28yrs and full of apocalyptic visions that haunt me still..My jewelry was my way to vent the turmoil of emotions I felt in the world even back then…1972-1977-so militant (having been raised on USAF bases my whole life, khaki jewelry made sense to me. Armor, street wear for such times as now.
Just uncovered a pair of belts that are on hold for a collector. From my earliest days in the city, maybe 28yrs and full of apocalyptic visions that haunt me still..My jewelry was my way to vent the turmoil of emotions I felt in the world even back then…1972-1977-so militant (having been raised on USAF bases my whole life, khaki jewelry made sense to me. Armor, street wear for such times as now.
So here is a pictorial flow of the 1981 color explosion from me, inspired by the MAASI Tribal prints Calvin was making, whereby he stacked bangles of the various colors I was making, making it suddenly chic to mix verdigris with gold, dark copper with black and gold, and this blend of Wabi Sabi color, mixed with 24k matte gold plated collars and discs …well it was awesome. The first photo is from my 25 year retrospective at the Museum of The Fashion Institute of NY. (FIT) in 1995-96. I showed mannequins with KANSAI, CALVIN and DONNA just a reminder of the wild excitement of that time. No digital anything yet, no cell phones yet, only blurry Polaroids!
How did we function then I wonder without WiFi?
So here is a pictorial flow of the 1981 color explosion from me, inspired by the MAASI Tribal prints Calvin was making, whereby he stacked bangles of the various colors I was making, making it suddenly chic to mix verdigris with gold, dark copper with black and gold, and this blend of Wabi Sabi color, mixed with 24k matte gold plated collars and discs …well it was awesome. The first photo is from my 25 year retrospective at the Museum of The Fashion Institute of NY. (FIT) in 1995-96. I showed mannequins with KANSAI, CALVIN and DONNA just a reminder of the wild excitement of that time. No digital anything yet, no cell phones yet, only blurry Polaroids!
How did we function then I wonder without WiFi?
Finally listed a family of Wabi Sabi cuffs from the Coty award-winning collection in 1981 for my jewelry for Calvin Klein’s fall runway show. It was this Turning Point in my career that I launched the concept of Wabi Sabi in fashion jewelry, downplaying the glitter and polish for ruddiness, earthy colorations, old looking artifacts to wear…many pure copper treated with heat to become permanently brick red or caramel. Khaki brass and sea-foam greens, verdigris as the new diamond.
Finally listed a family of Wabi Sabi cuffs from the Coty award-winning collection in 1981 for my jewelry for Calvin Klein’s fall runway show. It was this Turning Point in my career that I launched the concept of Wabi Sabi in fashion jewelry, downplaying the glitter and polish for ruddiness, earthy colorations, old looking artifacts to wear…many pure copper treated with heat to become permanently brick red or caramel. Khaki brass and sea-foam greens, verdigris as the new diamond.
This ALLURE cover has got to be the one that tickeld me the most to see HELEN MIRREN, badass character that she is, fighting AGING with my silver knuckle ring front and center! And other various shots of my classic futuristic ring on other people thru the ages. It remains one of my most beloved accomplishments after 50 years…it defines in one design my entire artist statement, sexy sensual sensuous and COMFORTABLE AS WELL!
This ALLURE cover has got to be the one that tickeld me the most to see HELEN MIRREN, badass character that she is, fighting AGING with my silver knuckle ring front and center! And other various shots of my classic futuristic ring on other people thru the ages. It remains one of my most beloved accomplishments after 50 years…it defines in one design my entire artist statement, sexy sensual sensuous and COMFORTABLE AS WELL!
Sending love vibes out through the air to everyone. My chunky solid sterling silver hearts on soft suede cords are still a classic from the time pendants exploded in the mid-80s. They always delight the one who picks it up for the first time and feels the weight of the metal. Valentines used to be a MASSIVE business day for Artwear, lines of customers!! It was like that year after year like crazy big. Bigger than Christmas some years. We sold so many hearts by Cara Croninger! Feel like love these days? It`s hard to maintain a happy vibe, but go for it!
Sending love vibes out through the air to everyone. My chunky solid sterling silver hearts on soft suede cords are still a classic from the time pendants exploded in the mid-80s. They always delight the one who picks it up for the first time and feels the weight of the metal. Valentines used to be a MASSIVE business day for Artwear, lines of customers!! It was like that year after year like crazy big. Bigger than Christmas some years. We sold so many hearts by Cara Croninger! Feel like love these days? It`s hard to maintain a happy vibe, but go for it!
A snapshot of my studio background, where I stash layers of ideas into compositions of images to make a collection of thoughts textures colors emotions INTENTIONS directions culture blending so this is like an image board but 3D . Crop Circle designs cut by hand out of sheet nickel and brass towering over a collection of antique Phoenician spearheads in verdigris, a powerful necklace from a distant 80s collection. Etc etc etc.
A snapshot of my studio background, where I stash layers of ideas into compositions of images to make a collection of thoughts textures colors emotions INTENTIONS directions culture blending so this is like an image board but 3D . Crop Circle designs cut by hand out of sheet nickel and brass towering over a collection of antique Phoenician spearheads in verdigris, a powerful necklace from a distant 80s collection. Etc etc etc.
Ted Muehling Bug Cluster earrings, 18k Chrysophrase, Turquoise 14k ear wires now available in my gallery. Ted was one of the main superstar designers who was part of Artwear and helped make it so popular. I have always adored his work and bought a ton of it for my personal collection. These earrings are glorious and a perfect example of his luxurious hand at work.
Ted Muehling Bug Cluster earrings, 18k Chrysophrase, Turquoise 14k ear wires now available in my gallery. Ted was one of the main superstar designers who was part of Artwear and helped make it so popular. I have always adored his work and bought a ton of it for my personal collection. These earrings are glorious and a perfect example of his luxurious hand at work.
This versatile necklace is silver with a huge lapis pendant with crucifix. It has a removable bale as shown and can be worn at least 4 different ways. Classic and for the cloowctor of crosses!
This versatile necklace is silver with a huge lapis pendant with crucifix. It has a removable bale as shown and can be worn at least 4 different ways. Classic and for the cloowctor of crosses!
The eternal stunning beauty of Silver and Turquoise is hard to beat. This Ziggurat pendant that hangs from a necklace of rich chunky turquoise beads is ICONIC RLM. Now available on my website.
The eternal stunning beauty of Silver and Turquoise is hard to beat. This Ziggurat pendant that hangs from a necklace of rich chunky turquoise beads is ICONIC RLM. Now available on my website.
This is the first large chandelier I made for a home in Long Island, NY. It shows the scale of what I am now tackling…12’ long constructions of golden brass. This one is called SQUADRON. I visualize a squadron of flying saucers in space, in keeping with my love of Sci Fi and futuristic design. Based on watery life forms.
This is the first large chandelier I made for a home in Long Island, NY. It shows the scale of what I am now tackling…12’ long constructions of golden brass. This one is called SQUADRON. I visualize a squadron of flying saucers in space, in keeping with my love of Sci Fi and futuristic design. Based on watery life forms.
Wow what a nice surprise! To have such an articulate article come out from #weareageist
Magazine for baby boomers !!
Wow what a nice surprise! To have such an articulate article come out from #weareageist
Magazine for baby boomers !!
WabiSabi the core of my being…this patina on the PEBBLE GODDESS just keeps getting richer over time. As if it were alive like a kind of shell covered mammal or an asymmetrical bundle of pebble clusters. All with my eternal intention to generate high vibrations of love and comfort. Like super foods these old one of a kind pieces from my archives give me endless energy entertainment and wonderment.
As my career was on a speedywild ride that took me higher and faster and and higher and faster (wheeee!!) then suddenly more complicated with licenses for all other accessories. Belts Bags Scarves Watches Home Accessories and even Fragrance!!
I just mean to say that I am so happy with myself for keeping all these pieces carefully stored away for a time when I could relax and slow down and have a whole new look at my archives. Thousands of pieces from over 50 years of constant production.. This pin was from a very voluptuous collection I did for Donna Karan in the late 80’s. She was a mega fan if the darkened khaki patinas of my archives and this coloration, Army Green in contrast to bright ARCHEOLOGY linked Verdigris turquoise green I have made so iconic. The ancient BRONZE and Brass Nickel alloyed armor of Greece , Sparta, Egypt and Rome all drove me WILD to get into jewelry making in 1970. Helmets with the classic green patina of copper rooftop, the oxidized surfaces creating a character…II see each piece as an individual character. With a personality and life force. I now realize all this time I was basically creating (revealing) all the different versions of ME. Always exploring new ways to express myself and release the growing stream of visions and Eureka moments like a pile up of ideas, season after season in demand. I collaborated with Donna for 37 collections alone and THAT kept me spinning like a whirling Dervish. Intense. Fast and furious sometimes almost as exciting as a F&F car chase scene. The timing and planning and consistency of Donna’s genius helped reshape me. So I pick up some of these beauties and I remember their name and story and these are my legacy.
WabiSabi the core of my being…this patina on the PEBBLE GODDESS just keeps getting richer over time. As if it were alive like a kind of shell covered mammal or an asymmetrical bundle of pebble clusters. All with my eternal intention to generate high vibrations of love and comfort. Like super foods these old one of a kind pieces from my archives give me endless energy entertainment and wonderment.
As my career was on a speedywild ride that took me higher and faster and and higher and faster (wheeee!!) then suddenly more complicated with licenses for all other accessories. Belts Bags Scarves Watches Home Accessories and even Fragrance!!
I just mean to say that I am so happy with myself for keeping all these pieces carefully stored away for a time when I could relax and slow down and have a whole new look at my archives. Thousands of pieces from over 50 years of constant production.. This pin was from a very voluptuous collection I did for Donna Karan in the late 80’s. She was a mega fan if the darkened khaki patinas of my archives and this coloration, Army Green in contrast to bright ARCHEOLOGY linked Verdigris turquoise green I have made so iconic. The ancient BRONZE and Brass Nickel alloyed armor of Greece , Sparta, Egypt and Rome all drove me WILD to get into jewelry making in 1970. Helmets with the classic green patina of copper rooftop, the oxidized surfaces creating a character…II see each piece as an individual character. With a personality and life force. I now realize all this time I was basically creating (revealing) all the different versions of ME. Always exploring new ways to express myself and release the growing stream of visions and Eureka moments like a pile up of ideas, season after season in demand. I collaborated with Donna for 37 collections alone and THAT kept me spinning like a whirling Dervish. Intense. Fast and furious sometimes almost as exciting as a F&F car chase scene. The timing and planning and consistency of Donna’s genius helped reshape me. So I pick up some of these beauties and I remember their name and story and these are my legacy.
WELCOME TO MY MUSEUM & GALLERY OF COLLECTIBLE WOMEN’S AND MEN’S JEWELRY
Herein you will find the archives from the Robert Lee Morris personal collection that has been slowly gathered over a 52 year range, containing works of art to wear and adore. These are all original handmade pieces of stunning women and men’s jewelry that have been created to sell through ARTWEAR jewelry gallery. These pieces come from the many collections that Robert made for fashion designers such as Geoffrey Beene, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors and Kansai Yamamoto. Many of the archives have now been selling through fine art auctions and it is exciting to see how the original values have soared.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Review of THE POWER OF JEWELRY by Robert Lee Morris on AMAZON
Robert Lee Morris is unquestioningly one of the most innovative designers of body ornament of our time. Long noted for his distinctive fusion of primal forms, hand workmanship, and cutting edge sensibility, his organic pieces are enthusiastically sought by connoisseurs of high fashion around the world. This book written by the artist himself and profusely illustrated with examples of his work, presents the varied production of his design genius over the course of his career. The many images of Morris’s work in metal and stone will fascinate anyone interested in the history if design and will be an inspiration and will be an inspiration to collectors, designers and students alike.
From Publishers Weekly
By the time he was 31, Morris had become one of the most influential jewelry designers in North America: his creations appeared all over fashion magazines like Vogue; his Manhattan jewelry store had become a favorite spot of celebrities like Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol; and his work was marching down the runways of Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Kansai Yamamoto and Donna Karan. In this coffee-table book cum memoir, Morris explains “how he grew from a self-taught jewelry designer to a recognizable brand name in such a relatively short time.” The designer, who is known for his “edgy blend of modern and tribal effects,” attributes his global sensibility to his college courses in anthropology and to his upbringing as an “Airforce brat.” He moved 23 times before he was 18 and lived for several years in Japan and Brazil. But its clear that the mainsprings of Morris’ success are his joyful, single-minded focus on his work and his savvy entrepreneurial spirit. Though his book contains asides on his marriage, his travels and his study of shamanism, it centers mostly on the origins of his signature creations, the development of the “designer jewelry” consumer niche in the 1970s and 80s, and the way he managed his brand “as if it were a wild horse in a rodeo.” Morris now designs up to 10 jewelry collections a year, and though the name-dropping can be a bit heavy-handed in spots, his memoir is full of friendly advice for young artists. Morris fans will appreciate this careful history, but readers unfamiliar with his designs may find themselves skipping pages to stare at the large, full-color photos of his smooth knuckle rings, gently bulging necklaces, mesh belts, herringbone collars and sensual bracelets. They are unlike anything else.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
