ROBERT LEE MORRIS
GALLERY
Gold in motion
NEW, freshly made, Holiday necklaces, now available. I have been zoned out making so many pieces that are actually THERAPY for me during these crazy times. Some are pieces I started years and decades ago that I decided to finish, finally. On my website this weekend before Thanksgiving.
NEW, freshly made, Holiday necklaces, now available. I have been zoned out making so many pieces that are actually THERAPY for me during these crazy times. Some are pieces I started years and decades ago that I decided to finish, finally. On my website this weekend before Thanksgiving.
The relentless intensity of my studio is seen in just a few shots of one small section here. I have been actually making new necklaces for weeks now as an emotional vent. The opposite of spare displays leads to thick piles of my art in all directions. Welcome to my very private space.
The relentless intensity of my studio is seen in just a few shots of one small section here. I have been actually making new necklaces for weeks now as an emotional vent. The opposite of spare displays leads to thick piles of my art in all directions. Welcome to my very private space.
Three Wave Sculpture brass 2023 28” high photo by Melinda Shea. @melindasheastudio
Excerpt from my book THE POWER OF JEWELRY
In 1988, Donna launched her new company DKNY, and I was hired to design the first jewelry collection for Peter Arnell, the creative genius behind much of Donna’s advertising and brand imaging, had conceived of a theme for DKNY that was a celebration of New York City. He directed me to create accessories and jewelry that were lighthearted and fun while echoing the theme and feeling of DKNY. Modes of transport, stop signs,, manhole covers, mailboxes, locks and keys, and it was just SO MUCH FUN TO DO!
Excerpt from my book THE POWER OF JEWELRY
In 1988, Donna launched her new company DKNY, and I was hired to design the first jewelry collection for Peter Arnell, the creative genius behind much of Donna’s advertising and brand imaging, had conceived of a theme for DKNY that was a celebration of New York City. He directed me to create accessories and jewelry that were lighthearted and fun while echoing the theme and feeling of DKNY. Modes of transport, stop signs,, manhole covers, mailboxes, locks and keys, and it was just SO MUCH FUN TO DO!
Iconic sculptures reveal my obsessions with free floating discs like pizza dough flipping in the air and now with Sting Rays and fast fluid motion.
Iconic sculptures reveal my obsessions with free floating discs like pizza dough flipping in the air and now with Sting Rays and fast fluid motion.
Somehow pulling out my original SLICES-WEDGE design from very early part of my career…I did a lot of hollow work giving my look a volume that was large and dramatic in silver especially. 1978-79 working with Geoffrey Beene opened me up to these curved wedges as “slices” or chunks of gleaming metal. This simple choker is just so important for me to find and bring out to play with as a symbol of emotion. Almost like whipped marks, slashes of thick metal became a “feeling” which characterized my work in the 70s.. And appropriate now, as a visual element that compells me to find more of my archives that can produce an orchestrated, curated, blend of Feelings, finding resonance with many people who grok my language over the years. I made so much armor in the 70s! As a reaction to world affairs and to give me a vent for me to explode my feelings into these dramatic nearly warlike forms. Scythes and blade forms coupled with oversized golden discs as shields made my salad of comic book characteristics as my way to express myself.
Somehow pulling out my original SLICES-WEDGE design from very early part of my career…I did a lot of hollow work giving my look a volume that was large and dramatic in silver especially. 1978-79 working with Geoffrey Beene opened me up to these curved wedges as “slices” or chunks of gleaming metal. This simple choker is just so important for me to find and bring out to play with as a symbol of emotion. Almost like whipped marks, slashes of thick metal became a “feeling” which characterized my work in the 70s.. And appropriate now, as a visual element that compells me to find more of my archives that can produce an orchestrated, curated, blend of Feelings, finding resonance with many people who grok my language over the years. I made so much armor in the 70s! As a reaction to world affairs and to give me a vent for me to explode my feelings into these dramatic nearly warlike forms. Scythes and blade forms coupled with oversized golden discs as shields made my salad of comic book characteristics as my way to express myself.
TONE‘ VIGELAND the legend in my world of art/design/ beauty and TRUTH remains one of the most collected jewelry artists of our time. She comes from an artistic family who founded VIGELAND Sculpture Park in Oslo, Norway and in her jewelry and sculpture has embodied a national pride in her work that reveals her Viking heritage. When I gave her her first exhibition in the USA in the early 1980s, she took New York City by storm and her wildly powerful work began to sell like crazy. Always expensive and ultra cool to own, Tones work is mind boggling to see. To wear. To behold by touching and feeling the lusciousness of her forged steel and darkened silver. Feathers and dangles of 18k gold punctuated her unique ICONIC style. I fell head over heels in love with her and her work and purchased as much as I could afford in the 8os. While each time I sell a piece I feel tremendous loss, I still have enough of her work to play with and show to visitors. A source of everlasting inspiration, do the research on this magical being who graced my life!
TONE‘ VIGELAND the legend in my world of art/design/ beauty and TRUTH remains one of the most collected jewelry artists of our time. She comes from an artistic family who founded VIGELAND Sculpture Park in Oslo, Norway and in her jewelry and sculpture has embodied a national pride in her work that reveals her Viking heritage. When I gave her her first exhibition in the USA in the early 1980s, she took New York City by storm and her wildly powerful work began to sell like crazy. Always expensive and ultra cool to own, Tones work is mind boggling to see. To wear. To behold by touching and feeling the lusciousness of her forged steel and darkened silver. Feathers and dangles of 18k gold punctuated her unique ICONIC style. I fell head over heels in love with her and her work and purchased as much as I could afford in the 8os. While each time I sell a piece I feel tremendous loss, I still have enough of her work to play with and show to visitors. A source of everlasting inspiration, do the research on this magical being who graced my life!
Three of my favorite iconic cuffs that reveal my very uncomplicated style of modern jewelry. Sleek, clean, forever modern and the only ones I have left of these which makes me so sad as it is always somewhat painful when one of my precious babies leave home….
Three of my favorite iconic cuffs that reveal my very uncomplicated style of modern jewelry. Sleek, clean, forever modern and the only ones I have left of these which makes me so sad as it is always somewhat painful when one of my precious babies leave home….
I love sharing images from my long career in the global fashion world. First is the WWD cover of my Gobstopper necklace for Donna Karan 2007
2- Rachel Williams we shot for my 1988 campaign for my floral collection wearing an assortment of leaf like pins. 3-Rachel again with my Twisted Vine and Leaf necklace. 4- Vogue cover with my snakescale earrings.
5-Mirabella magazine spread on me.
6-WWD cover with Bond no. 9 fragrance for Warhol and my silver Warhol flower necklace 2010.
7-My martini glass for Bombay Gin.
8-Clavicle necklace on my breastplate
I love sharing images from my long career in the global fashion world. First is the WWD cover of my Gobstopper necklace for Donna Karan 2007
2- Rachel Williams we shot for my 1988 campaign for my floral collection wearing an assortment of leaf like pins. 3-Rachel again with my Twisted Vine and Leaf necklace. 4- Vogue cover with my snakescale earrings.
5-Mirabella magazine spread on me.
6-WWD cover with Bond no. 9 fragrance for Warhol and my silver Warhol flower necklace 2010.
7-My martini glass for Bombay Gin.
8-Clavicle necklace on my breastplate
I have collaborated with many fashion designers over my 5 decades of work, creating jewelry that reflected the mood and message of each designer while still maintaining my own identity. These first sliced earrings were made for Karl Lagerfeld for his premiere of KLSports, his first USA runway show in 1985. Same year I worked to accessorize the premiere collection of Donna Karan with these Onyx and gold earrings, and the final pair were designed under contract with LOEWE the Spanish luxury company who signed me on for a year, 1994, to design jewelry and hardware for their leather goods. I was leaning on Spanish history of armor for these earrings. I have kept so many of these mint condition pieces in my archives which are slowly being sold through my website.
I have collaborated with many fashion designers over my 5 decades of work, creating jewelry that reflected the mood and message of each designer while still maintaining my own identity. These first sliced earrings were made for Karl Lagerfeld for his premiere of KLSports, his first USA runway show in 1985. Same year I worked to accessorize the premiere collection of Donna Karan with these Onyx and gold earrings, and the final pair were designed under contract with LOEWE the Spanish luxury company who signed me on for a year, 1994, to design jewelry and hardware for their leather goods. I was leaning on Spanish history of armor for these earrings. I have kept so many of these mint condition pieces in my archives which are slowly being sold through my website.
My Bold Gold cuffs, show off the genius of Simon Plating who achieves a signature matte gold electroplating technique..the magician/chemist plater (Daniel Simon and wife) was an essential part of my success in the fashion scene. That gold is real gold, high carat and 3 micros thick. The color NEVER CHANGES as it is gold which does not oxidize! This is the gold that causes drooling for me…
My Bold Gold cuffs, show off the genius of Simon Plating who achieves a signature matte gold electroplating technique..the magician/chemist plater (Daniel Simon and wife) was an essential part of my success in the fashion scene. That gold is real gold, high carat and 3 micros thick. The color NEVER CHANGES as it is gold which does not oxidize! This is the gold that causes drooling for me…
I have resumed listing Sterling Silver Vintage RLM earrings. Here are a few faves…the first one is a Lg. Shrimp earring in silver but at first in copper and tinted brass for Bill Kaiserman 1976. I was developing a family using curved triangles. The volume is what was So sexy about the hard angles. The second earring is my LIQUID Geometry
I have resumed listing Sterling Silver Vintage RLM earrings. Here are a few faves…the first one is a Lg. Shrimp earring in silver but at first in copper and tinted brass for Bill Kaiserman 1976. I was developing a family using curved triangles. The volume is what was So sexy about the hard angles. The second earring is my LIQUID Geometry
Crop Circles have always fascinated me and around 2012 I began to work the sacred geometry of these fabulous things into my jewelry. This oversized ring is an example of one such piece. This brass ring was made by hand😩, each hole drilled and filed to replicate one of my favorite crop circle designs. It is a one of a kind ring size 9.5. A power ring for sure!!
Crop Circles have always fascinated me and around 2012 I began to work the sacred geometry of these fabulous things into my jewelry. This oversized ring is an example of one such piece. This brass ring was made by hand😩, each hole drilled and filed to replicate one of my favorite crop circle designs. It is a one of a kind ring size 9.5. A power ring for sure!!
Gigunda Huge Runway earrings, from the Bold Gold Era, (a favorite style loved by Iman) so long and dramatic! Mostly clip-ons due to the need for fast jewelry changes as the models rapidly changed looks behind the curtains, a fast paced frantic dance that always takes place on the runway. Gold plated brass earrings of all sizes on my website!
Gigunda Huge Runway earrings, from the Bold Gold Era, (a favorite style loved by Iman) so long and dramatic! Mostly clip-ons due to the need for fast jewelry changes as the models rapidly changed looks behind the curtains, a fast paced frantic dance that always takes place on the runway. Gold plated brass earrings of all sizes on my website!
Strolling through the massive pile of press books I have accumulated over the past 50 years, I pulled a few of my favorite defining fashion shots with my work. Getting so much editorial was a major part of who I have been in the public eye. Millions of dollars of free publicity for which I am so grateful. Thanks to all the designers, stylists, and editors who have pushed me up into the stratosphere of recognition for so many years. I no longer loan my work out as I have no brick and mortar store to which people can go. My licensed line is Robert Lee Morris Soho which is being produced and sells online Amazon, Macys Dillards etc, and in many other huge department stores. It took a long time of constant editorial coverage to support the business I still have today. Young jewelry artists ask me how they can get ahead or a foothold in the marketplace and I say that without this massive editorial support it is hard to break through without spending a fortune on advertising.
I treasure these photos where top models and top hair makeup and photographers worked to produce these super classic photos I will always cherish.
Strolling through the massive pile of press books I have accumulated over the past 50 years, I pulled a few of my favorite defining fashion shots with my work. Getting so much editorial was a major part of who I have been in the public eye. Millions of dollars of free publicity for which I am so grateful. Thanks to all the designers, stylists, and editors who have pushed me up into the stratosphere of recognition for so many years. I no longer loan my work out as I have no brick and mortar store to which people can go. My licensed line is Robert Lee Morris Soho which is being produced and sells online Amazon, Macys Dillards etc, and in many other huge department stores. It took a long time of constant editorial coverage to support the business I still have today. Young jewelry artists ask me how they can get ahead or a foothold in the marketplace and I say that without this massive editorial support it is hard to break through without spending a fortune on advertising.
I treasure these photos where top models and top hair makeup and photographers worked to produce these super classic photos I will always cherish.
Runway earrings, big, dramatic …my speciality, bold fabulous and rare are now listed.
Small Gold plated brass earrings..from my archives, for people who want more discreet fashion framing the face…14k wires and posts. I am more known for bigger dramatic earrings but for today I present these smaller newly listed pieces on my website. The spiral earrings first pictured are the last “pair” of what was at the time, (1978) a runaway best seller. They were soon copied and that’s when I knew I had a future in jewelry design.
Small Gold plated brass earrings..from my archives, for people who want more discreet fashion framing the face…14k wires and posts. I am more known for bigger dramatic earrings but for today I present these smaller newly listed pieces on my website. The spiral earrings first pictured are the last “pair” of what was at the time, (1978) a runaway best seller. They were soon copied and that’s when I knew I had a future in jewelry design.
9 true things in solid heavy sterling silver
Hi everyone. It’s time to be all you can be.
Cara Croninger resin jewelry was a huge hit in the fashion industry during the 70s,80’s and 90’s. I gave her at least four or five exhibitions at Artwear and own an amazing assortment of her archives. All on my gallery website. Geoffrey Beene discovered her and then Vogue Began to shoot her colorful and soul filled work. Her Hearts were insanely popular. Like popcorn at the movies. I miss her.
Cara Croninger resin jewelry was a huge hit in the fashion industry during the 70s,80’s and 90’s. I gave her at least four or five exhibitions at Artwear and own an amazing assortment of her archives. All on my gallery website. Geoffrey Beene discovered her and then Vogue Began to shoot her colorful and soul filled work. Her Hearts were insanely popular. Like popcorn at the movies. I miss her.
Some of my iconic earrings, in all my favorite finishes. A very early (1974) Brass Nautilus with Shells necklace. These are like basic classics of a real different kind of jewelry look that exploded in the late 80’s and early 80’s.
Some of my iconic earrings, in all my favorite finishes. A very early (1974) Brass Nautilus with Shells necklace. These are like basic classics of a real different kind of jewelry look that exploded in the late 80’s and early 80’s.
New Work. Summer Seaside Chandelier in progress. Its a HOOT. Makes me smile a whole lot. Can`t wait to see this installed. After I myself install it!! Again,
Palm Beach. c/o @amanmeeks
New Work. Summer Seaside Chandelier in progress. Its a HOOT. Makes me smile a whole lot. Can`t wait to see this installed. After I myself install it!! Again,
Palm Beach. c/o @amanmeeks
One of my favorite shots
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.
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