Robert Lee Morris refers to a legendary jewelry designer and is recognized as a pioneer in the fine jewelry world, as well as in the fashion arena. He is one of New York's most influ
ential creators of jewelry as art. Robert Lee Morris is influential jewelry designer, the man responsible for Donna Karan's signature jewelry: He also founded Artwear in SoHo, in 1977 to exhibit and sell the works of other jewelry designers. Aside from Donna Karan with whom he collaborated with from 1985 to 2005, he also collaborated with other designers such as Calvin Klein (1981 and 1982), Karl Lagerfeld (1985), and Michael Kors (2000). Scott Barrie (1978), Geoffrey Beene (1979), Kansai Yamamoto (1981-1983), and Catherine Malandrino (2006). Robert Lee Morris" sensuous designs draw their inspiration from nature, myth and fantasy, and have been described by many as both "cerebral” and "intuitive.” Morris" unique body of work reflects the forefront of jewelry as wearable art. He helped make jewelry fashionable in the 1980's when he produced a glittering array of crescents, crosses, cubes and shields for designers like Calvin Klein and Donna Karan.
Robert Lee Morris was born in Nuremberg, Germany, where his father was stationed as an officer in the United States Air Force. As a son of a air force officer, Lee Morris lived in many places, such as in rural Japan for four (4) years in the 50's where he learned about country life, design aesthetics and formal flower arranging; in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he went to high school and learned Portuguese, and in Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he studied art and archeology.
After he graduated in 1969, he joined a commune in the Wisconsin corn fields and taught himself how to make jewelry, working with brass and steel wire from a local hardware store. Then he headed to Bellows Falls, Vermont in 1970 after the commune in Wisconsin was burned to the ground. He spent the next few years refining his skills, working in silver, brass and gold, and in 1972 he was discovered by a buyer for Sculpture to Wear, a boutique in the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. By then, his pieces reflected his interests in nature, archeology, medieval armor and tribal forms, all of which continue to crop up in his designs. After the boutique closed in 1977, he opened his own shops, Artwear and Robert Lee Morris, the latter of which survives. By 1979, he was working with fashion designers that also included Geoffrey Beene, Kansai Yamamoto and Karl Lagerfeld
Over the years, Robert Lee Morris has developed his own signature jewelry shapes recognized by all. Each collection captures the strength and grace of liquid geometry that has been Robert's signature since 1970. With each new sketch, Robert finds ways of reinventing, taking his existing shapes and making them new again.
It is no surprise that Robert Lee Morris is constantly earning new honors. He was awarded the CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. His unique designs have won numerous awards and accolades. He was a recipient of a Coty in 1981, the DeBeers "Right Hand Ring” award and the Tahitian Pearl Trophy - North America in 1999, 1987 Jewelry designer of the Year by Woolmark Fashion Accessories Benefit Ball, to name but a few. He has also written a book entitled "The Power of Jewelry"
Robert Lee Morris' many collaborative efforts and professional affiliations make him one of America's most influential jewelry and accessory designers.
Robert Lee Morris Gallery is located in West Broadway in New York City. Visit also Robert Lee Morris' website - http://www.robertleemorris.com to learn more about his designs and purchase his products, and the stores located all over the United States selling Robert Lee Morris' jewelry.
Author's Note: Lovely Jewelry collection! Some of Robert Lee Morris' jewelry that I like are his Cuff bracelets made of sterling silver, and his Minnow Necklace and Earrings which are available at http://www.vonbargens.com, and Switchback Cuff in sterling silver from his Windchime collection and his Butterfly earrings which can be purchased at http://www.robertleemorris.com/