Celebrity jeweller Stephen Webster on what separates the men from the boys, and more

Legions of celebrities have sported Webster’s creations, including Madonna, Kate Moss, Jay Z, Johnny Depp and Cameron Diaz, and he retails his collections at Levant Jewellery outlets across Dubai.

Stephen Webster believes every man must own a statement ring. Courtesy Rankin
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The British jewellery designer is known for his bold, exotic creations, and use of colourful stones and ethical gold. He worked with design houses and independent jewellers first in the United Kingdom, and then in Canada and California, before moving back to London, where he established his eponymous label in 1989. Legions of celebrities have sported Webster's creations, including Madonna, Kate Moss, Jay Z, Johnny Depp and Cameron Diaz. Webster retails his collections at Levant Jewellery outlets across Dubai.

If you could wake up anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you be?

Home. I just don’t get there enough.

You’re sitting down to the perfect meal, where are you, whom are you with and what are you eating?

Webster’s fish fingers at HIX restaurant in Soho, London, with my wife and two daughters. We are the Websters.

What was your first-ever luxury purchase?

A Vivienne Westwood mohair jumper, pillar-box red and very hairy, in 1977.

Are you a collector? If so, what do you collect, and why?

I am a passionate collector; my homes are cabinets of curiosity.

What’s the most listened to tune on your Ipod right now?

Panic in Detroit, David Bowie. It will always be Bowie, it just happens to be that one right now.

How would you define your fashion sense?

I have snake hips, so I dress accordingly. John Varvatos cuts to my jib at the moment.

Your dream home: How would you do it up?

I kind of live in my dream home. Lots of art, sea view, vinyl records, Technics 1200 turntables, long, comfy sofas, big TV and quite a few stuffed friends to keep an eye on things without interrupting.

What is your dream car, and where are you driving it?

My dream car, I own. It’s a 1959 Thunderbird. I drive it once a year somewhere in America, plus it has my best friend in the passenger seat.

If you were stuck on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?

My family. There are three of them; we can sort the rest out later.

What is the one fashion trend you think you carry off with aplomb?

Old English rock star I can pull off on any given day.

What’s your favourite city in the world?

London. It’s where I’m from. I’m lucky that I live in and work in the West End of London – hands down my favourite shopping district.

What’s the one piece of jewellery every man should own, and why?

A statement ring. It really sorts the men from the boys.

Who do you condiser a style icone?

My friend the poet John Cooper Clarke always looks sharp. Others may disagree, but you asked me the question.

When did you last splurge on a favourite piece of jewellery?

I like to know the time, so the last accessory I acquired was my rose gold Parmigiani watch. It’s sleek and cool.

What is the one thing you’ve not designed, but would like to?

Kitchen knives. I’m working on it.

What’s your favourite material to work with, and why?

Gold. It does all I ask with very little resistance.

What inspires you to design jewellery?

My biggest influence has always been the ocean, but I’m also inspired by literature, visual experiences, music and art.

And the first piece of jewellery you created?

The first piece I made was a Victorian-inspired nine-stone cluster ring that I gave to my mum. When she died my dad gave it back to me to give to my daughters, but someone broke into my studio one night and stole it. It wasn’t made of precious material, but it was worth a fortune to me. I hope whoever stole it got caught on another raid.

Read this and more stories in Luxury magazine, out with The National on Thursday, November 3.

pmunyal@thenational.ae