ROBERT LEE MORRIS
GALLERY

Three Wave Sculpture brass 2023 28” high photo by Melinda Shea. @melindasheastudio

Three Wave Sculpture brass 2023 28” high photo by Melinda Shea. @melindasheastudio ...

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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!
...

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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…. ...

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9 true things in solid heavy sterling silver

9 true things in solid heavy sterling silver ...

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Hi everyone. It’s time to be all you can be.

Hi everyone. It’s time to be all you can be. ...

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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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