Wearable art inspired by heritage, history, architecture, and travel.
Reagan Charleston sees beauty everywhere in the world around her and uses it as an inspiration to transform her visionary style in fashion.
Reagan Charleston at Palais Royal in Paris
The Louisiana native was born to a family of artists. Reagan's childhood days were spent in her grandparents' art studio where, along with her grandparents, her mother crafted copper sculpture sold internationally and in their French Quarter art gallery. She spent her days studying her grandmothers paintings and works from her time spent as an illustrator for the US government and later in the early NASA space program.
Charleston's Grandparents with one of their Bronze Relief Sculptures
The jewelry she began to create at that time was inspired by her family’s creative history. "I have never been the type of woman who wanted to wear what everyone else had," says Charleston. "I seek out the unique, which usually means I need to create what I want to wear. That’s why I give my clients the freedom to customize their own pieces from the line. How they wear their jewelry should be an art of creative expression for them, too."
Charleston in Rome on a Design Expedition
While studying at Louisiana State University, Charleston began further developing her own designs as fashion statements. At this time, she found herself inspired by the architecture of New Orleans and the unique environ of her Southern Louisiana home, as her family of artists had been. However, Reagan viewed her artistic designs merely as an outlet for her creativity.
It was during her travels to Europe in 2007, though, that Reagan found her muse. The arts of the ancient cities enveloped her and her visions became clear. Everywhere she looked, she saw design elements. Each architectural detail transformed into wearable art in her eyes. She envisioned massive reliefs wrapping her wrist or neck, enhancing clutches and dangling from earlobes. She brought that inspiration and an entirely new perspective back home.
Structure meets style.
Charleston believes that a woman's life has room for more than one dream, and more than one goal. She believes that women truly can do it all.
Leone Necklace in Paris' Marais Neighborhood
Charleston designs with strength in mind. Her jewelry and handbag designs are totems of strength, power, and fortitude. Her designs are coveted by all who see them—objects of adornment handcrafted in precious metals and featuring precious and semi-precious stones that she personally selects for color and character. She enjoys working hand in hand with her clientele to ensure the most appropriate design and stone.
"Why should anyone settle for ordinary?" says Charleston. "Every day, I see an opportunity for a new expression through my designs. When we are at our true creative potential, we are only limited by hours in the day. Jewelry should be that kind of experience."