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Our Designer Dish series features the best fashion talent in Texas that is creating, inspiring, and making waves in the community. Today’s feature is Carroll Dorsey Walker, owner of the “Bejewel” line of jewelry and handbags. If you’ve ever watched “Good Morning America” and noticed Robin Roberts wearing a bold necklace, you could very well have been admiring the design of Carroll Dorsey Walker. For more than 17 years, she has been handcrafting jewelry that has been worn by celebrities, adorned models on runways around the world and been sold in stores nationwide. Walker says her goal is to make an impact by combining large gemstones and semi-precious stones in one piece. “I don’t think dainty is in my category.” she says. “My style is big, bold, and dramatic.” In the last two years, Carroll has added to her creative brand by introducing her new line of embellished evening bags. These beauties also are bold and glitzy, adding an elegant style to compliment a woman’s outfit. They have already garnered a nationwide audience. Carroll’s studio is in San Antonio, where she resides with her husband, son, and her rescue dog “Cisco.”
Haute in Texas: Hi Carroll, thanks for talking with us! What type of woman do you design for? What does she look like to you?
Carroll Dorsey Walker: I design for the woman who is pretty confident with themselves. My designs are not tiny…they usually are pretty bold. They are for a woman who wants to be noticed. My customers always tell me how many compliments they receive on my jewelry. My clientele reaches so many age groups. From college girls going through rush, to the gentry set that attends charity balls many times a year, to working women who want to liven up their wardrobe in the boardroom. And what does she look like to me? Content.
HIT: Where do you source your product?
CDW: I travel quite a bit for my work, not only for selling my product at markets in New York and Dallas, but also the sourcing of my gems. I attend many gem shows. Luckily, some are in Texas, but I regularly attend the JCK in Las Vegas, the gem show in Tucson, and the Asia International show in Hong Kong. With the addition of my handbags, India is now a large part of my traveling. I hope to add fabrics to my repertoire soon, with perhaps flowing bejeweled tunic tops being my next endeavor.
HIT: How has your own life impacted your design aesthetic?
CDW: I like to socialize. I like parties. My husband and I are in some great social groups, so I get the opportunity to play “dress-up” quite a bit. I have found that some of these times, I have created some amazing pieces that have gone on to be best-sellers. One in particular, the colorful “Garden Party” necklace, has sold over 500 pieces. So going for the large, bold, dramatic, and colorful has been an easy task for me. Now, with me going to say…the baseball fields….I have to tone it down. Ha! Also, I was always good at math growing up, and truly, that talent is put to good work in creating jewelry.
HIT: Is your personal style reflected in every piece?
CDW: Definitely, my personal style is reflected in my work. I just could not create something that I would not wear, or be proud of on my customer. However, it is so funny to see some of my earlier pieces, and how I have evolved. The majority of that was through the changing of fashion style through the last two decades.
HIT: If you could see your pieces on any celebrity, who would you pick?
CDW: I have been very fortunate and blessed to have had some great personalities wear my jewelry or sport my new handbags. Having Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America” wearing my pieces so often has been very rewarding. I have also been represented by the Lancome reps on the Emmy red carpet and the Today show.
Nancy Grace has some of my jewelry that she will wear on TV… and Linda Lavin sported one of my creations when she was nominated for a Tony. I would love to have even more of a representation in Hollywood. My picks are such a startling contrast of women, but I would love for Meryl Streep to have some of my pieces, and Sofia Vergara. Both are woman I admire, for their acting talent of course, but also their comedic timing and gracious demeanor.
HIT: How has Texas impacted your personal style?
CDW: Having been born and lived in many cities here in the state of Texas, I find that my sense of style is large, confident, proud, and warm. Our friendly state reflects that bold outlook. We are large and fiercely independent. I find that I have no boundaries for my creations. Here we say “bigger is better.”
HIT: What is currently inspiring you?
CDW: Right now, I am digging the beautiful agate slices that you are seeing pop up everywhere…. Not just dangling from women’s necks, but home décor and furniture. It seems as if the mystical aspect of gemstones and minerals are becoming more popular and wide-spread. I also love to paint, although I’m still in my infancy stage at this point. My goal is to incorporate mixed media acrylics and oils with gemstones. Also, bright-hued colors inspire me set with gold!
HIT: What’s the best thing women can do to be the best version of themselves?
CDW: The best accessory for a women is a genuine smile. Today’s woman is expected to be so many things, to so many people. Finding that time to reflect on what makes them happy, content, peaceful, and restful is the best quest. Once that serenity and contentment is in place your best version of you is there. A genuine warmth, a genuine smile, be you and only you. Find your strength deep within yourself. Thank God for your purpose and blessings. And smile. No matter what age or look, your beauty comes out.
HIT: Last question, an Haute in Texas tradition, pancakes or waffles?
CDW: That made me laugh….and I’ve gotta go with pancakes. Although a tough question, couldn’t you have asked me about the meaning of life instead? Ha!
You continue to inspire me, Carroll! Thank for being so gracious with your time and your talents! For more information about the Bejewel line and Carroll’s work, visit her website here.
XO,
A
