Susan Foster is an American

jewelry designer Jewellery design is the art or profession of designing and creating jewellery. This is one of civilization's earliest forms of decoration, dating back at least 7,000 years to the oldest known human societies in Indus Valley Civilization, Mesop ...

and

philanthropist Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...

Early life

Susan Foster was raised in

East Hampton, New York The Town of East Hampton is located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, at the eastern end of the South Shore of Long Island. It is the easternmost town in the state of New York. At the time of the 2020 United States census, it had a total ...

."The Jeweler Who Keeps Stars and Execs Glam"
, ''Hollywood Reporter'', October 20, 2016. She grew up surrounded by artisans and with artistic relatives. Foster resided close to the homes of

Jackson Pollock Paul Jackson Pollock (; January 28, 1912August 11, 1956) was an American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. He was widely noticed for his " drip technique" of pouring or splashing liquid household paint onto a hor ...

as well as

Willem de Kooning Willem de Kooning (; ; April 24, 1904 – March 19, 1997) was a Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist. He was born in Rotterdam and moved to the United States in 1926, becoming an American citizen in 1962. In 1943, he married painter El ...

, where she found creative inspiration. Foster's artistic surroundings framed her upbringing and were a big influence on her future career as a jewelry designer.

Education

Foster studied in detail traditional jewelry design and creation with European goldsmiths. She further enhanced her knowledge by going to the esteemed

Gemological Institute of America The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a nonprofit institute based in Carlsbad, California. It is dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts. Founded in 1931, GIA's mission is to protect buyers and ...

(GIA) and studied extensively

diamonds Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, b ...

, colored

gemstones A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, or semiprecious stone) is a piece of mineral crystal which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli, opal, an ...

, synthetic gemstones, and

pearl A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk or another animal, such as fossil conulariids. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is composed of calcium carb ...

grading.

Career

Foster began her career as a jewelry designer in 1999 where her collection was soon featured on the covers of ''Mademoiselle'', ''InStyle'', ''Glamour'', and ''Elle''. At that time her collection was picked up by

Neiman Marcus Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. is an American integrated luxury retailer headquartered in Dallas, Texas, which owns Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Horchow, and Last Call. Since September 2021, NMG has been owned by a group of investment compani ...

and

Bergdorf Goodman Bergdorf Goodman Inc. is a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York. The company was founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf and was later owned and managed by Edwin Goodman, and later his son, Andrew Goodman. To ...

."Talking to Susan Foster, L.A. Boutique Proprietor & Global Luxury Purveyor"
, ''JCKOnline'', October 31, 2014. In 2008 Foster opened her exclusive, by-appointment-only boutique in Los Angeles, California. t In 2014, Foster relocated to New York City, where she currently works with private clients from her Upper East Side showroom, which was featured on the cover of NYC&G. Her Fifth Avenue showroom is decorated in authentic and rare Art Deco furnishings she collected during her global travels. New York's elite celebrated Foster's arrival and NY showroom at The Carlyle, a party hosted by Indre Rockefeller and British Vogue's Fashion Features Director, Sarah Harris. The event was attended by Nell Diamond, Model Jess Hart, Architectural Digest's Jane Keltner de Valle, Sarah Brown, Rickie De Sole, and covered by W Magazine. Foster's fine jewelry collection is available with select retailers worldwide including Just One Eye in Los Angeles, Fivestory in New York, as well as Harrods "Harrods Adds Susan Foster Luxury Jewellery Room Offering"
, ''ProfJeweller'', April 11, 2017. Updated April 11, 2017. and Matches.com in the UK. Susan Foster's jewelry has been featured in top publications including ''Vogue'',"Buy Now 15 Best Bridal Bracelets"
, ''Vogue'', May 14, 2017. ''Harper's Bazaar'',"11 Chic Jewellery Brands You Need to Know About Now"
, ''Harper's Bazaar'', January 25, 2017. ''Tatler'',"Christmas Gift Ideas for Her"
, ''Tatler'', December 18, 2017. ''Marie Claire'', ''Elle'' "Hilary Duff Cover Shoot"
, ''Elle'', June 18, 2006. and ''InStyle.''"InStyle Magazine Covers:2003"
, ''InStyle'', December 2003. Foster's designs have been worn by notable celebrities including

Kate Bosworth Catherine Anne Bosworth (born January 2, 1983) is an American actress. Following minor roles in the films '' The Horse Whisperer'' (1998) and ''Remember the Titans'' (2000), she rose to prominence with her role as a young surfer in the box-offi ...

,"Kate Bosworth's L.A. Party Outfit Is a Minimalist's Dream"
, ''WhoWhatWear'', January 12, 2017.

Kerry Washington Kerry Marisa Washington (born January 31, 1977) SidebarCertificate of Live Birth: Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha(County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health). Gives Kerry Washington birth dateArchivedfrom the original on May 2, 2016.Note: Fi ...

,"Oscars 2017: Stars Shine In Piaget, Chopard, Gemfields At Pre-Oscar Events"
, ''Forbes'', February 26, 2017.

Mandy Moore Amanda Leigh Moore (born April 10, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to fame with her debut single, "Candy", which peaked at number 41 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Her debut studio album, '' So Real'' (1999), recei ...

, Sarah Harris,"Diamonds for Dinner"
, ''W Magazine'', October 14, 2015.

Kate Hudson Kate Garry Hudson (born April 19, 1979) is an American actress and businesswoman. She has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a Satellite Award, as well as nominations f ...

Zoe Saldana Zoe (also ZOE, Zoë, Zoé, etc.) can refer to: *ζωή (''zōḗ''), the Ancient Greek word for "life" People * Zoe (name), including list of persons and fictional characters with the name Film and television * ''Zoe'' (film) * ZOE Broadcast ...

and

Mila Kunis Milena Markovna "Mila" Kunis (born August 14, 1983) is an American actress. Born in Chernivtsi and raised in Los Angeles, she began playing Jackie Burkhart on the Fox television series ''That '70s Show'' (1998–2006) at the age of 14. Since ...

. In 2016, Susan Foster's jewelry was auctioned off at

Christie's Christie's is a British auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie (auctioneer), James Christie. Its main premises are on King Street, St James's in London, at Rockefeller Center in New York City and at Alexandra House in Hong Kong. It is ...

for the private collection of President and Mrs.

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

."The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan"
, Christie's, September 21, 2016. Updated September 21, 2016. In 2017, Foster was commissioned by Si Newhouse and the team at Conde Nast to custom create the retirement gift for long time powerhouse editor Alexandra Shulman. Ms. Shulman dedicated a page about Foster and her monogramed retirement earrings in her best selling London Times autobiography, called “Clothes... and Other Things That Matter”.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Susan Living people People from Queens, New York Hunter College alumni Year of birth missing (living people)