Willie Woo is a jewelry designer who started his business in the early 1970s. Originally from Hong Kong, he set up shop in New York City in 1971 at the age of 21.
He partnered with former Vogue editor Kezia Keeble, whom he eventually married briefly, to start his rhinestone jewelry business.
The designer used pop art elements in his work and copied rhinestone jewelry from the 1930s. The first collection was presented as a “revival” of rhinestone jewelry.
Willie Woo’s work was featured and illustrated in many major magazines in the early 1970s, including Women’s Wear Daily, Ebony, and Life.
In addition to jewelry, Willie Woo also made plastic beads and belts, which sold well.
