Stephen Webster and Machine Gun Kelly ardently present the latest topic on everyone’s lips, the eighth deadly sin - ‘GOSSIP’.
Colson (Machine Gun Kelly) first became aware of Stephen Webster jewellery through the limited-edition collection of cocktail rings, The Seven Deadly Sins, consisting of seven rings each depicting one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Fine jewellery pieces were beyond the 20-year old’s financial reach at the time, but nonetheless, he never forgot the impression those rings, especially the one depicting LUST, made on him.
Some 12 years later when Machine Gun Kelly wanted to commission a very special ring, he tracked Stephen Webster down. The resulting ring was not only written about by Vogue and every other glossy magazine, but the world is still talking about the ring with which Machine Gun Kelly proposed to the woman he wanted to make his wife: Megan Fox. During the creative process, the two discussed Stephen Webster’s plans to anniversary the Seven Deadly Sins collection, only this time the plan was to introduce the 8th Sin for the first time in a couple of centuries.
The Seven Deadly Sins were devised in biblical times as classifications and grouping of vices within Christian teachings, seen to be contrary to the seven heavenly virtues that people should live by.
Originating with the desert fathers, especially Ponticus, who compiled the blacklist as eight evil thoughts. During the transference to Europe, the eight became seven and were quickly adopted by the Catholic Church as a framework to assist people in curbing their evil inclinations.
Despite the individual sins no longer taking the top seven spots on the evil & deadly league tables, they still remain relevant in more of an advisory role.
As a reminder to the dangers of not adhering to these cautionary guidelines, Stephen Webster decided to bring the sins back up to the original eight with the creation of a limited edition storytelling cocktail ring, depicting the modern-day sin, and now drawing in the wordsmith and rockstar, Machine Gun Kelly. After all, it was a sin that brought them together in the first place.
Inspired by the power, both negative and positive of today’s social media, the duo felt that an eighth sin needed to be drawn from this obsessive, digital world rather than something that could have been identified in the past. Vast and fast connectivity means that something that would have been shared amongst a small circle can now become viral, reaching limitless people with only the social median to connect them, within minutes. For positives, this is simply the best tool imaginable. For negatives, the effect and potential destructive capacity can be catastrophic, leading in so many cases to depression, breakups and even suicide.
To maintain the spirit of the original sins, the sin needed to have varying degrees of wrongfulness and caution. After many, many proposals, and candidates, Machine Gun Kelly suggested Gossip. To him, this was the single most destructive and yet seemingly innocent action that had taken on a far more sinister implications since the introduction of the social media. With Stephen Webster in agreement, the eighth sin for the 21st century has been identified as: GOSSIP.
The next step was to create a ring that represented the sin and also felt connected to Machine Gun Kelly, something that he would be proud to wear and become connected with. Stephen Webster and his design team had a lot of fun creating such a piece. Despite there being the usual design stage options, it became obvious very quickly that the direction the ring would be eccentric, no holds barred, blazing colour, rock star ring. Presented with designs as they progressed, Machine Gun Kelly would respond with his valuable input. Finally, the design for a ring that represented the sin and the muse to perfection was created.
“I have long been toying with the idea of an 8th sin, since learning the original seven ‘sins’ were compiled as a blacklist of eight evil thoughts. When Machine Gun Kelly first came to us in 2021 and shared his enthusiasm on the 2010 ‘7DS’ collection – this only cemented my decision. With the ‘sins’ bringing us together, I am glad to collaborate to bring modernity into the fold, with the release of 21st Century sin; GOSSIP” – Stephen Webster, Founder & Creative Director
The Eighth Sin in 18 carat Single Mine Origin Gold; the ring features exquisite pictorial enamel work, inlaid Mother of Pearl and set with 3 colourless diamond depicting a ‘messenger speech bubble’, adorned with gold piercing detailing and a ‘Webster Spider’ to signify the web of lies that ‘Gossip’ can impact on a person’s life. Each ring is made in the Stephen Webster London workshop and will be limited edition, numbered 1-10 and engraved with GOSSIP. RRP £15,000.
Due to the destructive nature of online gossip, Stephen Webster and Machine Gun Kelly have decided to create further Sterling Silver rings inspired by the original 18 carat Gold ring. The collection comprises a total production of 640 pieces, across 8 colour editions, numbered 1-80 and engraved with GOSSIP. RRP £750.
Aligning to Machine Gun Kelly’s connected charity Greater Cleveland Food Bank, 10% of all sales proceeds will be donated with each purchase of the GOSSIP collection.
Discover the GOSSIP rings here.
