BRAND STORY
With notable mentions in The New York Times and Time Magazine, Matthew Campbell Laurenza makes his presence known in the fashion world with his extravagant, statement accessories. Since launching M.C.L Design in 1998, he has captivated admirers around the globe by his glamorous jeweled pieces created with his signature style.
Born in Colorado in 1977, Matthew and his family traveled a great deal throughout the United States during his childhood. Drawn to the arts at a very young age, his parents supported and encouraged his creative passion - often taking him on excursions to museums and art auctions. The exposure to local art scenes inspired Matthew to start creating and selling wooden sculptures to local shops, galleries, and museums by the age of 13.
Matthew’s creative ingenuity led him to undertake college-level art summer courses at the Savannah College of Art and Design before graduating high school. After high school, Matthew followed his passion for the arts and enrolled at Bellarmine University specializing in sculpture. While attending Bellarmine, Matthew began designing and creating custom-made jewelry pieces for local clients and fans. On applying his design inspirations, Matthew explains: “To me jewelry design is an extension of sculpture. When I design a piece of jewelry, I reflect on the people and personalities around me and I draw on their moods and feelings. I strive to create something that adds emotion and distinctive flair.”
While still studying at Bellarmine, Matthew’s work for his personal clients cemented his aspirations of launching his own luxury brand. “A memorable part of my career was when I sold a valuable piece of jewelry to a very wealthy client of mine,” Matthew explained. The spectacular piece, which was crafted in gold and encrusted with diamonds, provided Matthew with the capital to launch his own jewelry line. In 1998, M.C.L Design was unveiled and the company focused on creating bespoke fine jewelry for an exclusive clientele.
When it comes to inspiration, Matthew is quick to cite a number of different things that keep his mind racing. One key influence is his family’s eclectic collection of antiques and artwork. “Each member of my family collects art, so I have always been exposed to a variety of pieces from different cultures and time periods. The diverse exposure to art and antiques range from paintings of the Renaissance era to furniture from the American Arts and Crafts movement,” says Matthew. “You may not think that such diverse pieces would be complemented in a collection together, but they do. There is a common thread to all creativity—no matter the style or when it was created.” Matthew’s unique design philosophy and distinctive understanding of aesthetics allow him to harmonize the look of the eras and create his intricate and elegant designs.
Matthew’s extensive travels through America, Asia and Europe presented him with many unique experiences. During his adventures he worked with gemstone dealers and production houses to gain intimate knowledge of the jewelry industry such as where to source the best gemstones and the different metal working techniques used by artisans. “The way that the Native Americans in the United States craft jewelry is very different than the Italians. The availability of certain minerals and tools, as well as the aesthetics of a particular culture, shape the techniques used that greatly affect jewelry design. A process used in one workshop may not work half way around the world—not only because the materials are not available but also because the climate may affect the chemical process. You can see the same concept on a much larger scale, such as in architecture. The cathedrals throughout Europe not only have a drastically different appearance than temples in Cambodia, but the materials and techniques in building them differ dramatically as well.”
Matthew’s travels nourished his designs and upon Matthew’s return in the early 2000s he launched several capsule lines for Henri Bendels and Vivre. The lines came as a breath of fresh air in the New York fashion scene. Taking this time to evolve and develop his style and process, Matthew launched his signature collection, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza in 2007, at luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman. An instant favorite amongst Bergdorf Goodman customers, the collection had to be re-ordered nine times within the first month of launch to meet the overwhelming demand. “My line is meant to appeal to women from all different backgrounds. Women can have dramatically different approaches to their personal style. My pieces are versatile—allowing a woman to not only show off her individuality, but also to go from day to evening by simply adding an extra bracelet or pair of earrings. The collection is a great way to take a basic outfit to a completely different level.”
Since its debut, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza has captivated both influential press and premier fashion retailers around the world. By 2008, the M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza collections were retailing within more than 100 point-of-sales, including luxury retailers such as: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods and Liberty of London. At the forefront of the fashion industry, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza pieces have graced the covers and pages of leading international fashion publications including Elle, InStyle, Vogue and Cosmopolitan.
Exclusively requested by top stylists in the industry, the collections have been worn by Eva Longoria, Sarah Jessica Parker, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie, Amber Valetta, Jessica Alba, Jessica Lange, Rosario Dawson and many others. Also, popular amongst A-listers, the collections have been coveted by international stars including Katy Perry, Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Keri Hilson, Carrie Underwood, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
2009 was a pivotal year for the brand as Matthew developed and unveiled two standalone M.C.L boutiques. Located in The Landmark, Hong Kong and ION Orchard, Singapore, the boutiques are the embodiment of the M.C.L brand and style. The decor is a fascinating mix of Gothic and Art Deco style - like a jewelry box filled with sparkling treasures and bold pieces.
2010 saw the continued success of the brand as the point-of-sales doubled internationally. Successful launches of the collection in Japan and Canada expanded the list of top retailers featuring M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza to include: Barneys New York (Japan), Holt Renfrew (Canada), Lane Crawford (Hong Kong), Podium (Paris and Russia), Lido Jewelers (Puerto Rico), and many more.
Following the meteoric success of his jewelry line, Matthew now looks to extend the M.C.L Design brand to handbags. Featuring a full range of statement pieces including everyday totes and clutches as well as luxury sapphire evening bags, the handbag collection is expected to launch in the spring of 2011. Additionally, the M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza Fun Collection will also debut in 2011. The Fun collection adopts a more nostalgic and playful tone as Matthew utilizes his quirky design aesthetics to create ‘luxury toys’. T, army men and robots take the form of jeweled chains, rings and bracelets for this new collection.
Future product lines will include a bridal collection and a couture line. The Bridal Collection will target a classic and elegant profile for fashion-forward brides, while the Couture Collection will focus on custom-made, limited pieces made with gold and diamonds.
These new lines are just the beginning for the M.C.L Design brand. Matthew constantly continues to explore new directions and he notes, “I’d love to see the brand evolve further into an all encompassing lifestyle label. While we’ve already begun this journey, I am very excited to see where else it could lead.”