Situated above Crogan’s, Dorian Webb Lifestyle presents dynamic designs with signature elements.
The 18-carat trellis blossom stud diamond earrings at the Dorian Webb Lifestyle jewelry shop in Oakland’s Montclair Village feature intricately positioned fancy-cut diamonds designed to look like flowers in bloom.In her Montclair Village studio above Crogan’s restaurant, designer Dorian Webb creates not just award-winning, high-end jewelry but opportunities too.
“My dad was an elementary school principal but also a gifted artist,” she says. “My mother, when we moved to where I grew up in South Jersey, was hired by a homecare agency. She was excited, but when she first showed up,the person there said, ‘We didn’t think you were Black when we hired you.’ To take that absolute rejection and start her own business and be successful was amazing to me.”
“He usually came to visit me, but following the recession I came to Oakland. I found the community so open, thriving and welcoming. I met African Americans with a sense of history and pride. It was just such an amazing place to be, it made sense to move here. “After five years, I realized I could use my jewelry to support forums so women starting out could meet successful, wealthy businesswomen and have conversations about getting to the next stage.”) continues to present dynamic designs with signature elements: sophisticated texture, color and composition, an architect’s eye for the spatial interplay of light and shadow and materials that include semiprecious and precious stones, 18 karat gold and sterling silver.
“The pieces I make are about putting on something great and knowing you’ll feel great in it 20 years from now. It’s an investment in future joy.”