Southern Lady

Designing Woman
One Florida girl molds her dream career.
By Lauren Rippey

There's nothing small about Wendy Culpepper's success-just ask the dozens of Hollywood stars who grace runways decked out in Wendy's latest designs. Although she is flattered by the celebrity attention, this Florida native says her jewelry is designed for every woman everywhere.

"People assume because I'm young that my product appeals to my age group," the 26-year old notes. "But our research has shown that this line sells to teenagers, college graduates, mothers and grandmothers alike."

The reason is simple: wearability. Wendy's attention to the female figure is evident in the way her jewelry frames and flatters, curving across the collarbone and bringing symmetry to the cheek line. Her pieces, many of which appear bayou inspired, are classic and interchangeable, ideal for accompanying customers on shopping trips, garden parties and Sunday services.

"Our jewelry isn't meant to be art" she says. "It's meant to be worn." Ironically, though, it was an attraction to art that sparked her jewelry journey.

Raised in a small town, she was unsure about pursuing art in college, so she entered the University of Florida's digital engineering program. Then, she traveled to Florence, Italy, for a semester, where she enrolled in a metalsmithing course.

"It didn't take long to realize I'd found my passion," Wendy says. "I absolutely loved working with my hands."

With the support of her family, she transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she graduated with the honor of top design student. Then, following a stint on the product development team at designer group Me&Ro; Wendy launched her jewelry company in 2005.

Some say that Florence changed my life," Wendy says, "but I wouldn't have been in Florence or New York if my mother hadn't championed my art from the beginning. Mom has always been my biggest supporter, and now she's my business partner." And while the pair is separated by hundreds of East Coast miles, the business is blossoming.

"Folks ask me all the time what inspires me. The truth is my mom inspires me; my husband inspires me; my friends and my family inspire me," says Wendy, who undoubtedly cherishes her relationships over fame. "These people make me want to create; the make me want to put pen to paper; and they make me want to make them proud."

Ignite Change

In an effort to give back, Wendy established Ignite for Charity. She says "I've wanted to do this since I started the company." She began by selecting charities near and dear to her heart and dedicating a sparkling gemstone to each respective beneficiary. Fifteen percent of all proceeds from purchases goes directly to the cause.

Blue Topaz jewelry benefits the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, a charity Wendy has been devoted to since her father's diagnosis 20 years ago. Likewise, Rhodolite jewelry supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Peridot pieces donate to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. For those who have trouble choosing, Wendy has even designed a few items called Blaze pieces, whose proceeds are divided equally among each charity.