Pride Month is a celebration of individuality, self-expression and the communities that continue to inspire change. At Stephen Webster, we are proud to stand with and support the LGBTQ+ community, recognising those whose courage and authenticity have helped shape a more inclusive world.
Inspired by the extraordinary life and legacy of LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson, the Joie De Vivre ring honours a true trailblazer whose spirit of resilience, compassion and unapologetic joy continues to resonate today. As part of our ReBelles collection, it celebrates the remarkable individuals who have challenged convention and changed history.
|
|
Joie De Vivre
18ct Recycled Yellow Gold, Lilac Spinel, Sapphires, Tsavorites
|
|
Influenced by Marsha P Johnson, a transgender woman of colour in 1960s NYC, Joie De Vivre translates to mean ‘Joy Of Life’ and this ring represents the creativity, strength, and happiness that Martha P Johnson brought to the world, whilst striving for change.
The Joie De Vivre cocktail ring is crafted in 18ct Yellow gold with a central Lilac Spinel, surrounded by a rainbow of square Sapphires that represent Martha’s flamboyant wardrobe. The ring is then finished with graduated, rainbow enamelling depicted in paint strokes that dance around the central stone, creating the illusion that the ring is painting itself, like the placards that were painted with powerful slogans during the marches.
|
|
As a transgender woman of colour in 1960’s New York City, Marsha had to fight every day for her right to exist. Marsha’s larger than life persona and her capacity to find joy in a world of suffering enabled her to rise above society’s constant violations for being black, gender non-conforming and poor.
Embroiled in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, Marsha became an activist for the fledgling gay rights movement, earning icon status from the LGBTQIA+ community of the city. A welcome fixture in Greenwich Village, Marsha became known as the ‘Mayor of Christopher Street’.
Twenty-six years after her death and long overdue, Marsha P Johnson received an obituary as part of a 2018 NYT International Women’s Day feature titled ‘Overlooked’, which recognised 15 influential women.
|
|
“Each cocktail ring has its own individual story, connected only as a collection by the fact that each piece is inspired by a strong powerful women throughout history, and in all walks of life.
Specialist jewellery techniques feature across the seven cocktail rings, with a combination of stones that I find work together but may surprise people. This approach plays to our strength, incorporating everything we possibly can in regards to our skills and craftsmanship, and visualising this into a collective. This is really us at our best.”
- Stephen Webster, MBE
|
|
Throughout July, we're proud to support Stonewall by donating 5% of the sale of our Joie De Vivre ring to help advance equality for LGBTQ+ people.
Stonewall is the UK's leading LGBTQ+ charity, campaigning, supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ people in the UK. They deliver campaigns, programmes and policy work focused on achieving deep, sustainable change through convening, collaboration and conversation. They will work until everyone, everywhere has equal rights.
The founders of Stonewall honoured the bravery of Marsha and others when setting out in 1989 to campaign for the rights of lesbian, gay and bi people, who at the time faced significant legal and social discrimination in the UK. Today, Stonewall continues to work with lawmakers, business and the third sector to shape policy and create legislative frameworks and a culture where everyone is treated fairly.
To find out more about what they do or make a donation, visit:
www.stonewall.org.uk
|
|
Step into the bold and glamorous
WORLD OF WEBSTER
Visit our Burlington Arcade Boutique
12-13 Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London, W1J 0QJ, United Kingdom
|
|
©2022 Stephen Webster. Registered address: Stephen Webster Ltd, 24 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4HT.
Tel: +44 (0) 203 298 0240. Email: [email protected]
Flagship Salon: 12-13 Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London. W1J 0QJ. Tel. +44 (0) 20 7199 6463
Registered in England 3738018. Vat Registration Number: GB527711840
|
|
|
|
|
