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Sterling King jewelry wins the 2020 FIT Design Entrepreneur Award
As the winner of the 2020 FIT Design Entrepreneur Award, it’s no secret why Sterling King jewelry has been worn by pop icons like Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell, and Katy Perry, and feature in high fashion magazines like Vogue, V Mag, Elle, Nylon, and Vanity Fair.
Since studying at Central Saint Martins following her undergraduate degree at Parson’s School of Design, her organic designs and unique applications to traditional jewelry have elevated the eponymous brand to an avant-garde aesthetic.
Through a mastery of modern style, King created her first jewelry piece as a senior at Parsons. She was influenced by her affinity to dance, training as a classical ballet dancer, before focusing her career on jewelry post a stint in womenswear. Dancing is what molded her vision to the Sterling King namesake she has created today.
King says,
“In ballet, we are taught that the body is an instrument, and I used sculptural jewelry pieces to demonstrate the attention and care devoted to different parts of the body.”
The Design Entrepreneur NYC is a partnership between the Fashion Institute of Technology and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which started back in 2011.
As an initiative to stimulate economic growth, the free “mini-MBA” program provides the business resources, advice, and mentorship that applying fashion brands need to prosper and grow as potential job providers.
Sterling King was one of the 25 designers who have submitted and pitched the organization for the 2020 campaign. And she did so, winning the prize money of $75,000 of which will be allocated in expanding on her artistic vision and business acumen resources.
King will be paired with a fashion industry veteran who will mentor the young designer and help develop the Sterling King jewelry business plan.
King founded her brand on the idea of sustainable production and uplifting the workforce that helps make their product. King’s jewelry is distinctly handcrafted in New York City and uses an ancient tradition of lost-wax casting.
Their materials are sourced locally in the garment district and jewelry district of NYC with the help of key partnerships with local manufacturers.
“I work back and forth between traditional hand-carving/sculpting and digital rendingering/3D printing…“