Gloria Steinem and Jill Platner in the designer's Crosby Street Studio filming Hilary and Chelsea Clinton's Gutsy. Photo Apple TV
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The Gloria Steinem x Jill Platner Collab
Shop these soulful, charitable designs for Mother’s Day or any day
May 10, 2024—The best jewels have a good story behind them. And the back story of the jewelry collaboration between feminist icon Gloria Steinem and the legendary designer Jill Platner is a great one. The dynamic duo met when they were filming episode 4 of Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s Apple TV Special Gutsy, “Gutsy Women Are Rebels at Heart.”
In the process Jill learned that Gloria had a connection to jewelry. “The closest my family had to a family business was jewelry,” Gloria explained. “My sister was a gemologist and my father sold antiques, including gemstones and antique jewelry.”
Jill shared her connection to a fascinating piece of women’s history. The over 200-year old Crosby Street building where Jill has her studio and boutique—which she has spent many years restoring and renovating—had been transformed into the Infirmary for Women and Children in 1853 by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman in the United States to receive an M.D.
In Gutsy, Jill showed Gloria, Hillary and Chelsea how to carve a wax for a ring. This on-screen moment evolved into the first piece Gloria and Jill created together, The Gloria Ring. A large smooth flat silver pebble like motif covers the surface of the statement jewel.
The purpose driven duo made their collaboration a charitable endeavor. One hundred percent of the proceeds for the Gloria Ring benefit Planned Parenthood. To date they have donated over $35,000 to the organization.
Next Gloria and Jill decided to make an even bolder design, The Wonder Woman Cuff. “The cuff was a symbol of the Wonder Woman of my childhood,” explained Gloria. “She could literally bounce bullets off her bracelets, thus defeating violence without becoming violent.”
Jill adapted the idea of the stars on Wonder Woman’s cuffs into an abstract celestial motif. The silver jewels, which are sold individually, measure 2 ¼ x 6 ½ inches. Each is signed with Gloria’s first name in her handwriting and Jill Platner.
One hundred percent of the profits for the jewels benefit Gloria’s Foundation.
To celebrate Gloria’s 90th birthday which took place on March 25, Gloria and Jill came up with the Steinemite Keychain. The starting point for the design was the keychain Gloria still uses from Ms. Magazine engraved with the publication’s logo and the phrase “Opening doors for women.”
The Steinemite Keychain has the motto,“Adventure beyond every open door.” Gloria explained, “This one had to be more universal rather than just for women, and also to underline the freedom that comes with open doors.”
The phrase is engraved in Gloria’s handwriting with her signature on the flip side. It is available in bronze or silver. One hundred percent of the profits from sales of the key chain benefit Gloria’s Foundation.
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