ABOUT the ARTIST
MY BACKGROUND
Okay... So here’s the deal!
I started working in the jewelry industry back in 1994. Since that time, I’ve gained experience in retail, wholesale, sales and management. More importantly, I have been lucky to have some very talented mentors in design, manufacturing and fabrication. During my journey, I’ve received formal training from the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) and learned from some of the best minds in the industry.
I started offering my creations on eBay back in 2000. In 2009, after years of trial and error, we took our growing list of friends and left eBay with the plan of creating and nurturing the WmDEAN brand. Since 2009, our work has been featured by print and online news sources. Our creations are proudly displayed in stores around the World. And... If I’m doing my math correctly, 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of WmDEAN on the web. Cheers!
MY MEDIUM
I work primarily with high polished cabochon gemstones, vintage coins, and found objects. I also repurpose vintage advertising and graphic design. Then, like a mad artist, I put it all together in a big pot and stir it around. Here at the studio, we refer to the finished product as “Circa WmDEAN”. Circa WmDEAN is everything past and present that we all love about mens accessories, jewelry and fashion accessories.
Though my focus is cufflinks, I also make and curate Rings, Belt Buckles, Tie Tacks, Lapel Pins, Money Clips, Key Chains, Tuxedo Stud Buttons and Pocket Squares.
To own one of our handmade originals is to be knighted personally by me. I’m Wm. DEAN, the KING of Handmade Cufflinks.
MY INSPIRATION
I love art, music and fashion.
Some people say that it isn’t Art unless it pisses someone off. That’s the kind of Art that I’m drawn to! Some of my favorite artists include: Salvador DalI, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Robert Delaunay, Shepard Fairey, Marquis Lewis, Peter Howson, Tamara De Lempicka, Rex Ray, Mira Schendel, Giacomo Costa, Jose Parla, Yayoi Kusama, Norman Lewis, David Garibaldi, Ori Gersht, Karl Benjamin, Kedir Nelson, Selman Hosgor, George Condo, Pablo Lobato and Banksy.
Music is the air that I breathe! My favorites include: David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Peter Murphy, Bauhaus, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Edgar Froese, Kraftwerk, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Donald Bird, Thelonius Monk, Art Blakey, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Sade, Pharrell, Danger Mouse, Q-Tip and Tribe Called Quest.
My fashion sense may be a little more difficult to nail down. I love Men‘s Fashion from the 1940’s and 50’s. The rainbow of colors from the hippie movement of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s really speaks to me. I love the GLAM era! The badass attitude of the late 1970’s Punk era will always be represented! I love classic Americana. Oh... and of course... Hip Hop RULES! Some of my favorite designers and brands are: Gianni Versace, Tom Ford, Banco Bucci, Chrome Hearts, Dr. Martens, Lucky Brand, Alexander Julian, Robert Graham, FUBU, Sean John, Marc Ekco, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen, Carl Williams, Giorgio Armani, and Ermenegildo Zegna.