Clifton Nicholson

Clifton Nicholson
Born	Clifton Lee Nicholson 1944 Indiana
Residence	Scottsburg, Indiana
Other names	Cliff Nicholson
Education	Purdue University
Known for	Jewelry design, sculpture, peacock breeding.

Clifton 'Cliff' Nicholson is an American sculptor and jewelry designer.

Clifton Nicholson grew up in Indiana where, from an early age, he developed his sculpting skills by carving soap.

Nicholson initially studied engineering before taking a metals design class, eventually choosing to focus on interior design at Purdue University. Although he hated the subject, he still learned enough to design "Roughwood", a house for his parents in Indiana, for which he received a Burlington House Award, which was presented annually by the Burlington textiles company to those whose interior design skills were deemed deserving of recognition. He graduated in 1967 with a Master's in jewelry and metal design, with a minor in weaving. After graduation, Nicholson briefly worked as official silversmith for the Restoration Commission in St. Augustine, Florida before moving to New York.

Some of Nicholson's early designs were exhibited in the Museum of Contemporary Crafts (now the Museum of Arts and Design), New York. Upon his arrival in New York, Nicholson became an assistant designer for Richelieu, at that time the second largest jewelry company in America. He was introduced to the company by Bill Smith, also from Indiana, who became vice president of Richelieu after only two months. Whilst working for Richelieu Nicholson took advantage of the nights and weekends to produce his own work, which he sold to Neiman Marcus and Henri Bendel. One of his shell, leather and feather necklaces was modelled by Lauren Hutton on the cover of the edition of March 15, 1970 of American Vogue. This exposure led to Nicholson being fired by Richelieu, who took exception to their junior designer receiving so much attention. Later that year, Nicholson was one of six jewelry designers honoured with a special Coty Award in 1970 alongside Daniel Stoenescu and Steven Brody of Cadoro, Alexis Kirk, Marty Ruza and Bill Smith. Like Alexis Kirk, he received the award for his debut collection.

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