Stephen Webster Goes Garrard

Having designed many significant royal jewels, including the engagement ring Prince Charles gave Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, Garrard has blueblooded roots. More recently, though, the 274-year-old company has been trying to shake off its Queen Mum–sy image. In 2002 Jade Jagger signed on as creative director, introducing skull jewelry and tapping rap star Missy Elliott as the public face of the brand. But Jagger departed in 2006, and the post remained vacant for two years. Finally, in December, Garrard named Stephen Webster to its top creative job. The British jewelry designer has a rock ’n’ roll aesthetic—exemplified by his studded rings and dagger pendants—that just may jibe with the younger royals. “You can go to the Tower of London and see history, but I want [Garrard] to be a place where you can go in and be surprised and excited,” he told Women’s Wear Daily, W’s sister publication. One of his first projects: a collection with Marchesa’s Georgina Chapman, slated to debut this fall.