Jewellery as Fashion’s Boldest Statement with Vickie Riggs

In the third part of our four-week interview series with jewellery designer Vickie Riggs, we turn to the world of fashion, where jewellery transforms from an accessory into an attitude. Riggs believes that while clothing sets the tone, jewellery delivers the punctuation, a glimmer of gold, a flash of gemstone, the moment an outfit finds its voice. Drawing on her background in advertising and design, she brings an eye for balance, proportion and storytelling to every creation. In this conversation for Hinton Magazine, she shares how jewellery becomes an extension of personality, how bold design invites confidence and why the right piece can shift the way we see ourselves.

In fashion, clothes may set the stage, but jewelry often steals the spotlight. What do you think makes it such a powerful form of self-expression

There's a visual strength to Jewelry because of the Materials. The soft, flowing aspect of clothing is contrasted by Jewelry. For example there is power in the glimmer of gold or luminous pearls, or the strong colors of gemstones that reflect light which are eyecatching. Fabric absorbs light while jewelry reflects it.

Do you design with the idea that a piece should work like punctuation — the exclamation point at the end of an outfit?

I love how you’ve put that.  Yes, I’d say so. It's a combination of the added spark of color which is the accent to the lines of the clothing.  We instinctively like balance. A piece of Jewelry provides shapes and textures to an outfit. Whether one realizes it or not, we all become designers by our styling and accessorizing choices.  

How has your background in advertising and brand design influenced the way you think about jewelry as visual storytelling?

When I was running my ad agency, I also taught at a local university where the class was an introduction to art for non-artist majors. I taught my class the language of Design.  To understand what makes a good design we looked at all the elements and asked ourselves: does it have a balance of shapes and sizes, is there contrast in textures or repetition of lines?  When we put a language to design, we can more easily adjust these elements to reach a pleasing, harmonious and creative design.

Every piece I create works with these elements.  We all have that inner sense of when we think an outfit looks complete. When a piece of jewelry draws you in and feels pleasing and we are happy with the final look. The story I seek to tell is one of exploration and creating jewelry that isn’t static. The recipient may not know WHY the piece speaks to them, but if they are drawn to it, there is an element of the piece that resonates with them. 

We often hear the phrase “never wear anything ordinary” linked to your work. What does “ordinary” mean to you — and how do you avoid it?

That actually plays into many of the questions in this interview. A piece of jewelry is static when it doesn't have most or any of the aspects of Design we've been talking about. Simple can be beautiful, yes, but I design with the thought, “What can I add to just make it a little more interesting, to catch your attention, to cause intrigue?”    

Do you think jewelry has the power to change how someone carries themselves, almost like slipping into a new identity?

If they let it, yes.  It is really delightful when a customer is obviously drawn to a piece that's unlike what they usually wear. There is a beauty that they see in the piece they covet, in a very nice way, and when they make the decision to purchase, they have such joy! It is like they're allowing themselves to be bolder and more seen than usual. The model for one of the magazine covers, actually said that exact same thing. Carla told me that she imagined different personas, depending on the piece of jewelry she put on. I think that could work for everyone.  

In fashion editorials, your pieces become art in motion. How does it feel seeing your work styled in ways you may never have imagined?

I applaud artistry from all sources. It's exciting to see one of my pieces reimagined. As often as possible I like my designs to have options so the client has choice as well.  Allowing the piece to have the flexibility to be worn at different lengths, or as a pendant or a brooch, or with interchangeable pieces. It lets everyone reimagine how they want to wear the piece that day. 

If you could style one cultural icon, past or present, in your jewelry, who would it be and why?

Amal Clooney.  She has a persona that projects strength and calm.  A woman sure of herself in a comfortable way.  I can visualize her wearing a statement piece with a sleek dress, letting the jewelry be the ‘explanation point’ to her outfit.

Vickie Riggs approaches jewellery as both art and expression. Her designs are built on the principles of visual language ,contrast, rhythm, texture and harmony, all working together to create pieces that catch the light and hold attention. She sees jewellery as more than ornamentation, but a way to reflect who we are and who we might want to be. Whether it’s a statement piece that commands the room or a subtle detail that completes a look, Riggs shows how jewellery can shape identity, mood and movement. This third chapter in the series celebrates the confidence that comes from daring to be seen.