TracyMatthewsDesigns
member since 02/07/08

www.tracymatthewsdesigns.com Passion, talent and a love of fashion inspired Tracy Matthews during her early 20’s. As a European Studies major with an emphasis on Art History, Matthews enrolled in her first jewelry fabrication class and discovered her gift and creative path. By experimenting early on, combining color with metal, Matthews planted the seed for her future collections. Soon after, she was designing and selling her delicate jewelry to a succession of friends, families and bridal parties and realized her first market. In 1995, Matthews found her second passion, yoga. As an avid yogini and yoga teacher, she has found inspiration in the practice and from her students. Yoga has become an invaluable tool for Matthews in all facets of her life. Already a shameless optimist, the power of the practice to calm the mind, heal the body, release emotional tension, tap into creative energy and transcend self doubt gradually deepened her personal and spiritual development. Still struggling to find direction, she decided to give up her retail career. Subsequently in 1999 Tracy Matthews Designs was born out of her tremendous drive, encouragement and creative energy. Although her collections continue to evolve, there is a common collage of elements in each line, including her yoga practice, spirituality, a love of color, nature, travel and vintage jewelry. “I am fascinated by life in all its essence, and how the blending of culture, art and fashion meld together. I have always designed around a color story and love pairing the uncommon,” says Matthews. Her beautiful collection of delicate hand made jewelry exudes a personal and current, yet timeless quality. “My hope is that whoever owns my jewelry will treasure it for a lifetime.” Over the years, Matthews has developed several signature collections. The TMD production line for women has evolved over the years from dainty and colorful beaded jewelry to hand fabricated and intricate metal pieces. The collection is currently designed in mixed metals, including sterling silver, pink and yellow gold vermeil and 14K gold with beautiful gem quality precious and semiprecious stones. Her collection of “finer” jewelry combines 18K white and yellow gold and various types of diamonds with unique architectural elements from the East and classic themes from antique jewelry creating and undeniably modern element to the collection. In 2005, Matthews launched her first line of men’s hand- carved rosewood and sterling silver jewelry. The TMD men collection imbues an urban, medieval quality that generates a different spin on traditional men’s jewelry. “Designing jewelry for men is so fun! Launching into a new market has been an interesting and phenomenal growth experience for me as a business owner and as an artist,” says Matthews. Today, Matthews’ collection can be found in fine specialty stores and boutiques across the United States, Asia and Canada. Her jewelry has been featured in fashion magazines, trade publications, TV shows and feature films. In September 2006, TMD was selected as the Gen Art’s “Fresh Faces in Fashion” accessories designer award recipient. In November 2006, Matthews relocated her company and several employees to NYC. Always a visionary, her dream to live, work and play, practice yoga and find inspiration in NYC has become an amazing reality.