Temple St. Clair has seamlessly incorporated giving back into her company through exclusive pieces with proceeds donated to a specific cause or charity. Her most recent Lion Cub collection, for example, supports Lion Guardians, which works to save lions and educate others on the importance of protecting the animals. Supporting environmental and artistic causes added another layer to her design process and St. Clair is eager for the stream of giving to continue to flow.
What role do you think the fashion industry plays in responding to global issues?
When you are in a creative role and actually putting “a product” into the marketplace, it gives you an automatic platform and means to reach out in a way that might not be readily available to others. This fact gives those of us in the fashion and design industry an enormous responsibility to communicate and affect change.
How important is it for you to incorporate giving back into your business/brand?
I love being able to use my work to bring attention to environmental and artistic causes that are important to me. I am endlessly inspired by the natural world so it makes sense to me that with the pieces I create, I am able to find a way to contribute to the conservation of that world that has given me so much.
Which causes or charities are you most passionate about?
This fall, I launched my Lion Cub collection that benefits Lion Guardians in Kenya. The Big Game, the final part of my Golden Menagerie trilogy, was based on already extinct or threatened animals. After my research, I knew I wanted to find a conservation organization that was not only working to save animals but most importantly was tying the work to benefit an indigenous community and Lion Guardians does just that. The organization has involved itself with the Maasai community to celebrate their knowledge of lions, whom they’ve shared their lands with for generations. Lion Guardians trains and employs Maasai tribespeople to evolve from lion killers to lion protectors. As we sell our golden lion cub jewels, we send funds to Lion Guardians each month directly supporting their on-ground operations.
Who or what has inspired you to give back?
My husband and business partner, Paul Engler. He has been involved in supporting the arts ever since he was studying, living and working as a young modern dancer. In many leadership roles, he has supported the arts, particularly choreographers and modern dance presenters, through volunteering his own precious time and generous financial support.
How, if at all, has your ongoing involvement in philanthropy changed your approach to design?
It hasn’t really changed my approach to design; it has just added another layer. I do make sure that we apply our best practices for merchandising, sales and marketing to create “giving” collections that allow a range of participation and accessibility through different styles and price ranges. The great thing about fine jewelry is that some of these “giving” jewels become classics for us, so the stream of giving just keeps on going.
What is your most memorable philanthropic experience?
My most memorable philanthropic experience was in 2009 when the documentary exposing the slaughter and commerce of dolphins in Japan, The Cove, was released. I was with my 10-year old son who, upon exiting the movie theater, immediately announced that he wanted to give $200 from his savings to the cause. His uncle, (Downtown Abbey Director) Michael Engler, was so touched that he immediately matched my son’s gift. I subsequently made dolphin pendants both in silver and gold that are still sold on my website to benefit the cause. My son and I were invited to sit with dolphin advocate Ric O’Barry when he was honored here in New York City by the ASPCA. It was so incredibly meaningful in so many ways. More memorable philanthropic experiences are yet to come and those may be in Africa to see the Lion Guardians in action, or watching a state-of-the-art theater and campus be built for dance at The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard.
