Birmingham’s king of bling is now loving angels instead
THE Birmingham jeweller who made Beyonce’s stilettos has spread his wings and gone on to much bigger things.
Chris Shellis, the undisputed king of expensive bling, has unveiled a sculpture on Brighton’s main pier.
During the hot weather, the Angel of the South’s polished wings have
glinted and shimmered in the sea water.
It is a far cry from the gold, platinum and bejewelled accessories Shellis crafts for royalty and multimillionaires.
They are gladrags for the decidedly rich.
A pair of high-heels from Mr Shellis’ company, House of Borgeize, will set you back £200,000. The craftsman made headlines in 2015 when the super stilettos were snapped up for a forthcoming video.
Bags, brogues and belts carry similarly astronomical price tags.
The Angel of the South will be Chris’s last venture, the Jewellery Quarter professional pledged. “It has taken me just under five years,” said the 64-year-old. “That’s the same time as the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
“It is the fulfilment of the message I want to convey – love, hope and liberation. That’s a very important message for our time. There’s a lot of negativity around and this is my crusade and quest against negativity. It’s working.”
The statue – 11 foot tall – has cost Chris around £50,000 of his own money.
He now plans to place angels around the globe, with the list of locations including Birmingham and elite southern France resort St Tropez.
A 25-foot winged wonder is also set to be planted in Brighton.
“I want them in the Jewellery Quarter, I want them around the world,” said Mr Shellis. “This is probably the last thing I do. Now, it’s the only thing that I’m about.
“I’m in a dilemma – I’m a designer, but I’ve always wanted to be classed as an artist. I’ve made some things
before, but they’ve never been commercially viable.
“I actually scribbled the angel down in Birmingham and thought, I want to make that.
“It’s certainly been the most challenging thing I’ve done, especially the shape of the wings.
“I drew inspiration from the outstretched wings of a dove. I believe it’s my finest work.
“It’s important the angel is at a height where it can be hugged and interacted with, unlike the Angel of the North or a austere angel out of reach on a plinth.”
The sculpture was unveiled earlier this month and has received rave reviews from holidaymakers and locals.
“The reaction has gone far beyond my expectations. People hugged it, outstretched their arms to copy the profile for photo opportunities or just stared, captivated by it. That’s hugely rewarding.
“There are five major (community) forums down there and not one negative comment. That’s just not possible, it’s impossible to get 100 per cent feedback.
“The overall message is positivity, to bring positivity into the minds of people.”
On Facebook forum Brighton People, the reviews are gushing.
Warren Levene posted: “What a beautiful piece, will brighten up Brighton and Hove.”
Sue Milner said: “So much more pleasing to the eye than the hideous sculpture on Hove seafront which looks like it was made in a kids’ workshop out of scraps.”
Jeanne Clarke-Walker typed: “If you’d like to ship her to Canada, I can find a beautiful place for her. Stunning wherever she ends up.”
The positive response has convinced Mr Shellis the project has wings. His angel is set for world domination.
Public works of art are a dramatic departure for a man whose grandiose, VIP jewellery has made national headlines.
The well-heeled customers who purchase his stilettos really do walk with diamonds on the soles of their shoes.
Three years ago, he was again in the spotlight after crafting the world’s most expensive buckle – crafted out of platinum and diamonds – at £60,000.
Money is of little object to Mr Shellis’s clientele.
The Sultan of Brunei, a man with a cool $20billion in the bank, splashed out on a pair of famed Borgezie Princess Constellation stilettos in platinum. They sparkle with 1,290 precious stones.
Beyonce proved there’s no business like shoe business by also purchasing a pair. The belt was something of a turn-up for a company that carved a global reputation for women’s shoes and accessories. The House of Borgezie catalogue includes an 18 carat clutch bag for £105,000.
The belt is 30 millimetres wide, bears the wearer’s initials and features a fluer de lys buckle.
Chris has also created a matching jacket, decorated with platinum fleur de lys, for £60,040.
He said: “I’ve worn the belt myself, it’s gorgeous. It took ages to create – two or three days alone to put all the stones in.
“It’s more like a sash – the kind you wear at formal banquets – than a belt.
“It looks very formal and exciting. To be honest, I’m surprised no one has already done it.”
Mr Shellis, originally from Eccleshall near Stafford, added proudly: “The belt has more than a lifetime’s guarantee. You could bury it and, like Tutankhamun’s treasure, it will still be intact thousands of years later.”
He set up the company 15 years ago – and feels the whopping price tags are in keeping with the times we live in. He added: “We are in an age where there are people who will spend £100,000 for gem-encrusted mobile phones and toothbrushes.
“Every shoe is a bit like making a violin. They are jewellery for the feet,” he insisted.
“I’m happy with the way things are going. A business has to build slowly to have a firm foundation. If it grows too rapidly, you have a flimsy firm.”
Every businessman has a tale of the one that got away. His potential catch was a whopper – a sale that would’ve set him up for life.
He refuses to name the Far Eastern client, but admits she wanted 100 custom-made shoes for her daughter and herself. That order was worth a cool £2 million.
Unfortunately, after months of correspondence, the mystery VIP got cold feet at the 11th hour.
“It’s such a shame,” sighed Mr Shellis, who also offers 18 carat clutch bags for £105,00.
“It was so frustrating because they really didn’t want me to know who I was dealing with.
“These people are aware how delicate it is. They are aware of the controversy that could be caused by spending so much on shoes.”
It has taken me just under five years. That’s the same time as the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Chris Shellis