FWM: Share your background.
My background is in both design and business. I attended the prestigious High School of Art and Design, in New York City, where I majored in Fashion Design. Upon graduation, I was awarded a National Scholastic Medal in Design and planned to pursue a career in fashion design. However, my
father insisted that I get a business degree in college, so my career went in a slightly different direction. In college, I earned degrees in Fashion Merchandising and later in Art History. I have drawn on my business knowledge and creativity throughout my work life and do not think I would be as successful if I did not have both.
FWM: When did your love for art and design begin?
My love of Fashion and Art History started at a very young age. When I was 11 my father; a decorated WWll hero and Major in the US Air Force, retired from active duty and we moved to New York City. Our apartment located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 86th Street was right in the heart
of Museum Mile.
My twin sister Randi and I would spend our Saturday’s exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, The Frick & The Museum of Modern Art as well as the city itself. We saw the Mona Lisa on its historic visit to NYC, explored The Temple of Dendur many times, saw the Faberge Eggs, even Picasso’s Guernica before it left MOMA forever. My exposure to all these historical treasures
fueled my love of history and my sense of creativity.
FWM: Share your career in fashion.
After college, I became a buyer of Lounge wear, Sleepwear and Robes for (Romans) a large size
ladies mail order catalog. In this position, I was able to combine both my business and creative skills. I
wanted to provide fashionable, flattering lounge wear and pretty nightgowns for my large size (38 to 52) customers. At that time, there were not many manufacturers creating what I envisioned. So, I shopped in the textile market and collaborated with my suppliers to fill the void. As a result, my
customers had the same feminine and flirty garments to choose from as the regular missy market. It was a success.
In the early 1980s, a transition into the home sewing/textile industry offered me new opportunities for creative expression. Traveling the United States and Europe for business, exhibiting at trade shows, working with both large and small retailers in developing fabric assortments specific to their needs, expanded my ability to tailor collections to meet a variety of markets. Every experience became a stepping stone to starting my own business.
FWM: Have you always been a creative?
I have been a creative soul all my life. I love to learn new techniques, whether it be sewing, quilting,
needlepoint, crochet and of course jewelry. In most cases I am self-taught, learning from books and
online classes. In 1970, I won the Singer Sewing Contest for New York City, carefully creating a
Yves Saint Laurent suit from Vogue patterns.
FWM: When did you start making one-of-a-kind jewelry?
In the early 1980s while antiquing, I found a small collection of old glass intaglios’, they fascinated
me. Their beauty, strong imagery and sense of history all spoke to me. These wonderful old glass
cabochons already had a place in fashion history, many in lady’s jewelry items and some in men’s
items like cuff links, rings and trim on men’s furnishings. The old glass intaglio stones I found were from the 1920s and 1940s had never been used and were in their original tissue wrapping. I was
free to give them a new life. It was with these vintage glass cabochons that I started creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. I created necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to complement a custom clothing line that a friend represented. It was not long before I had a loyal following of women who enjoyed the timeless appeal and vintage twist of my designs. Many customers return each season to see what is new and to add to their collections.
“My designs are feminine yet strong, like the women of today who wear my creations. I want the individuality of the wearer to come through, that is the true fashion statement.”
FWM: Tell us about your Robin Steele, Inc.
In 2001, I married the love of my life, left my career in the textile industry and moved out of NYC into
a sprawling house with plenty of room to expand my design studio. I was free to take my business to
the next level; which meant I would be producing limited edition as well as one of a kind pieces.
I incorporated in July 2002 after assembling a talented production team and reliable group of
suppliers in NYC to insure, I could deliver a well-made product in a timely manner. I am committed to supporting American workers and maintaining close quality control. My business is not only made in America, I am part of the “Made In New York” organization as well. Every design is carefully assembled, the details in the castings are designed after much research to enhance the unique quality of the old cabochons. My designs are feminine yet strong, like the women of today who wear my creations. I want the individuality of the wearer to come through, that is the true fashion statement.
FWM: What challenges have you faced in your career?
There are two key challenges:
First, I believe educating the consumer about the historical significance of the vintage parts used in
each design is very important. When I incorporated, I created a custom hang tag to accompany each design. On the back of the hang tag, I include a specific handwritten information about the design. My jewelry is sold in fine boutiques, and gift shops around the world, I feel this extra information helps to educate the sales force as well. Second, is growth in design. My brand was built around vintage cameos, intaglios, and cabochons. This is the core of my design ethic and will always be a strong part of the line. However, I believe each season the collection must bring freshness, something new and even unexpected. With this in mind, I have started to cast authentic ancient coins to use in my designs and experiment with colorful ethnic beads sourced from Tibet. I want my love of the old to be modernized to meet the needs of the woman of today.
FWM: Do you have a favorite piece?
I have a new favorite piece each season. Some seasons I want to layer on the long necklaces or
wrap myself in a lariat. This year I am all about short necklaces that make a statement. The one constant is that all of my deigns are “conversation pieces”. When you walk into a room wearing one of
my creations someone will come up to you and make a comment. Perhaps that is what I love about
my jewelry, it will get you noticed.
FWM: In one sentence, describe your jewelry designs.
I create jewelry of utmost quality that becomes a lasting part of a woman’s wardrobe, each piece
should be a statement of the wearer, drawn upon season after season to fit the many facets of her
life.
FWM: Please share your goals for 2020.
My designs are well known on the East Coast, from Boston to Miami and Middle America in the
Cleveland area. Internationally I have had a loyal following in Japan for many years. For 2020, I hope
to expand my presence on the West Coast of the United States and Internationally in the United
Kingdom which I think would be a good fit for my line.
