Background
Rabun was born in Bitburg, Germany, to American parents, on November 8, 1961. Throughout her childhood, she traveled extensively until the family settled in their native California.
Rabun studied fashion design in Los Angeles. She became fascinated with the concept of jewellery as wearable art and felt drawn to precious metals. Learning by trial and error, Rabun taught herself the craft of jewellery design. Rabun soon began to create inspired narratives in precious metals, finding her muse in nature and the cycles of life.
In 1989 Rabun moved to London from Los Angeles. Her jewellery designs were immediately embraced by the fashion and design industry, creating custom necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and bangles for men and women.
In 1991, Rabun debuted with the jewellery collection “Raw Elegance”, which achieved instant acclaim.
Her sophisticated silver designs were understated, modern and refined at a time when gold and extravagance were the trends.
Rabun’s iconic ID-bracelet was featured in several publications, including the cover of the 1992 September issue of British Vogue. Styled by Alexandra Schulman, the bracelet and necklace were worn by supermodel Linda Evangelista.
Soon U2, Lenny Kravitz, Mick Jagger and Tori Amos were all wearing wear Rabun's jewellery.
In 1993, Alexandra Schulman once again used a pair of Jacqueline Rabun earrings to style Tatjana Patitz for the May cover of British Vogue, photographed by Mikael Jansson.
In 1999, Rabun began her collaboration with Georg Jensen, who praised Rabun’s work for elevating “the craft of jewellery making to an undeniable art form.”
Offspring, designed in 2000, was her first collection for Georg Jensen. Rabun used the theme of the unbreakable bond that exists between parent and child. She designed a series where two fluid egg forms are interwoven together, the larger seemingly protective of the smaller, symbolizing the endless power of love that creates life.
Georg Jensen re-interpreted the Offspring collection as part of their iconic Master Diamond Collection in 2005.
The Offspring collection was relaunched in 2018. The collection has been reimagined to include new additions.
Her next collection, Cave, was an invitation to seek tranquility and stillness. It came to exemplify the Georg Jensen aesthetic.
In September 2007, Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary wore a sterling silver necklace, bracelet, and ring from the Cave collection at a press conference during the Danish royal visit to New York.
Rabun's pieces quickly became favourites of the princess, whose husband, Crown Prince Fredrik, a patron on the luxury brand.
In 2004, the Georg Jensen company celebrated its centennial and commissioned a special collection to celebrate the spirit of the brand.
Rabun paid tribute with the feminine, yet provocative 100 collection. The numerals 100 were rendered sensational jewellery. This collection was also set with pavé diamonds and re-issued as part of the Master Diamond Collection.
In 2017, Rabun released the Black Love collection, honouring the strength and resilience of the African-American community. She fashioned pieces from 18-karat black gold, black diamonds, and sterling silver.
Today, the works of Jacqueline Rabun have come to encompass the classic Georg Jensen Scandinavian design. Her jewels become collector's items, increasing in value over time. With heads of state and cultural icons like Grace Jones, Madonna, Halle Berry, Lisa Bonet, and Vanessa Paradis wearing Rabun’s jewellery, her art continues to imbue moments of achievement and reinvention with a quiet sense of confidence.
