When Jamaican-born designer Matthew Harris first released Mateo New York in 2009 ,men’s jewelry was his target. The self-taught jewellery designer expended hours in the New York City jewellery district mastering almost everything he could about perfecting his craft. He observed the style and design inspiration from his initially assortment from the thought of a functioning man’s toolbox. After a thriving women’s capsule assortment, he listened to his clients and launched women’s jewelry into the family permanently. His brand is now bought in some of the greatest shops in the phrase this kind of as Matches Vogue, Internet-a-Porter and Browns in London.
Beneath, EBONY caught up with the Jamaican designer to get some insight into who he is and how his Jamaican heritage shines throughout his layouts.
EBONY: Convey to us a minor bit about your heritage and background
Matthew Harris: I am from Montego Bay, Jamaica, born and raised. I’m genuinely Jamaican and fell in like with manner from an early age by viewing my mother develop clothing as a dressmaker. I adore being Jamaican simply because of our loaded society and heritage. I am obsessed with the lush vegetation, the attractive shorelines, the incredible food and the vibrant men and women.
How did you get into structure?
Design has generally been in my blood. Outside of observing my mother develop, she never remaining the property with out asking me how she looked. It was only natural for me to inevitably operate in the subject. How I turned a jewellery designer was a pretty natural and organic and self-serving approach. I did not established out to start a brand—I truly just preferred to make jewelry for myself, but a person issue led to the up coming. I went to the jewellery district in New York and asked masses of concerns and tried to find out as a great deal as I could. Following building a handful of parts, Rihanna’s stylist pulled a several pieces and the subsequent factor she was sporting Mateo and which is how I really bought my launch into structure and the model Mateo New York was begun.
How has your Jamaican heritage informed your styles?
My heritage plays an integral part in my do the job. It can take a delicate sort but it is pretty a lot there. The shades of my proud Jamaican flag is evident in my perform. Our jewellery is created primarily of yellow gold. The gold in the Jamaican flag signifies the gorgeous sunshine. You also discover a good deal of black onyx in my get the job done. The black in the Jamaican flag represents the toughness of the Jamaican persons. We also use masses of malachite for its vivid green hue. The inexperienced in the Jamaican flag signifies the lush vegetation and the wonderful island.
Notify us about your most current collection.
Our most recent assortment is our Gemstone Collection. I preferred to rejoice colour in a daring and sophisticated way. Each individual piece is produced of luscious gemstones in daring emerald cuts. There is this simplicity still opulence to the assortment. Our signature use of cultured pearls tends to make an look all over the selection.