Inspired by rap’s
lavish lifestyle, known to many as “bling-bling,” entrepreneurs Erroll
and Nicole Footman have combined “ice” with luxury flatware to create
Blingware.
Noticing the flashy
jewelry celebrities frequently showcase on awards shows, the Footman’s
procured the design for their flatware that includes knives, forks and spoons.
The married couple
experimented on the construction of Blingware in their kitchen and started the
company in spring 2004.
Blingware utensils
are garnished with Swarovski crystals; each knife, fork and spoon has between
70 and 80 hand-set crystals on solid stainless steel.
The diamond-cut
Swarovski gems are used in high-end fashion and jewelry, like the dress Beyoncé
wore in her “Naughty Girl” video and the chandelier Russell and
Kimora Lee Simmons displayed on MTV Cribs.
The Swarovski stones
that Blingware utilizes have similar quality as diamonds. Blingware prices range
from $5,500 for a 16-piece set to $10,000 for a 40 piece-set.
Before launching
Blingware, a division of The Footman Consortium, Erroll Footman worked as a
system analyst and software developer on Wall Street.
Nicole was a receptionist
and personal assistant in New York’s entertainment business.
