Jewelry Designer Matthew Harris of Mateo New York Discusses How His Jamaican Heritage Shines Through in His Designs

When Jamaican-born designer Matthew Harris very first launched Mateo New York in 2009 ,men’s jewelry was his aim. The self-taught jewelry designer invested several hours in the New York Town jewelry district finding out everything he could about perfecting his craft. He found the style inspiration from his first assortment from the concept of a doing the job man’s toolbox. Right after a successful women’s capsule selection, he listened to his consumers and released women’s jewelry into the relatives completely. His brand is now sold in some of the best vendors in the word such as Matches Manner, Net-a-Porter and Browns in London.

Underneath, EBONY caught up with the Jamaican designer to get some insight into who he is and how his Jamaican heritage shines through his layouts.

EBONY: Explain to us a minimal bit about your heritage and qualifications
Matthew Harris: I am from Montego Bay, Jamaica, born and lifted. I’m actually Jamaican and fell in appreciate with style from an early age by looking at my mom generate outfits as a dressmaker. I appreciate currently being Jamaican due to the fact of our rich society and heritage. I’m obsessed with the lush vegetation, the lovely seashores, the incredible food and the vivid persons. 

How did you get into design and style?
Design has often been in my blood. Outside of looking at my mother generate, she never remaining the dwelling devoid of inquiring me how she looked. It was only all-natural for me to at some point perform in the industry. How I grew to become a jewelry designer was a incredibly natural and self-serving method. I did not established out to get started a brand—I certainly just required to make jewellery for myself, but just one matter led to the up coming. I went to the jewelry district in New York and asked masses of concerns and tried out to learn as a lot as I could. Following making a couple parts, Rihanna’s stylist pulled a couple of items and the up coming detail she was sporting Mateo and which is how I really received my start into design and style and the brand Mateo New York was began.

How has your Jamaican heritage knowledgeable your designs?
My heritage performs an integral position in my do the job. It takes a subtle variety but it is pretty significantly there. The shades of my happy Jamaican flag is apparent in my get the job done. Our jewelry is manufactured primarily of yellow gold. The gold in the Jamaican flag signifies the wonderful sunshine. You also discover a large amount of black onyx in my perform. The black in the Jamaican flag signifies the strength of the Jamaican persons.  We also use hundreds of malachite for its vivid inexperienced hue. The green in the Jamaican flag signifies the lush vegetation and the stunning island. 

Notify us about your hottest selection.
Our newest assortment is our Gemstone Assortment. I preferred to rejoice colour in a bold and elegant way. Each individual piece is built of luscious gemstones in bold emerald cuts. There is this simplicity however opulence to the selection.  Our signature use of cultured pearls helps make an look throughout the collection.