Judith Ripka Adds Creative Director Position

New York--Judith Ripka has created the role of creative director for her namesake jewelry brand and appointed accessories and jewelry designer Christina Caruso to take it.

Ripka will maintain her position as chief designer of the company, which she founded in 1977. She and Caruso will work together on all Judith Ripka labels, including its QVC business, where Caruso will appear on air alongside Ripka to present the exclusive collection.

Ripka commented, “Christina’s entrepreneurial background resonated with me and the way in which I started my business. Her past work and her passion for jewelry design made her the perfect fit for this position. I’m so thrilled that Christina is joining the team and I’m truly excited to see the future of the brand with her creative direction.”

Caruso joins the company with 15 years of experience in accessories and jewelry. Previously, she consulted as the design director for Isaac Mizrahi, which is owned by the same parent company that owns Judith Ripka, Xcel Brands Inc.

Caruso also has worked as the design director of Banana Republic’s jewelry and sunglasses division. Additionally, she has experience teaching accessories design at both the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design.

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QVC won’t be Caruso’s first experience with television. In the past, she designed a namesake costume jewelry and accessory line that was featured on Sex & The City, and she competed on the accessory design version of Project Runway in 2011, Project Accessory.

“Judith Ripka has inspired me as an entrepreneur from very early in my career,” Caruso said. “She is a legend in jewelry design, whose work I have admired for so long. To work alongside her and the amazing Judith Ripka team is such an honor.”

Xcel Brands’ Chairman and CEO Robert W. D’Loren said, “Christina will be a huge asset for both our QVC business and the future brand projects. Her natural design sensibility and taste level echoes what Judith has created over her 38-year history in jewelry design. I am confident Christina will excite those loyal to the brand while attracting new customers through her extensive knowledge and experience in jewelry and accessory design.”