Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Negron
Hi Bruce, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, since this is a Dallas story I might as well start with what lead me to Dallas. My history with this great American town starts back when I was in the Navy or better said leaving the Navy and one of the best times I had was coming through Dallas back in 1994 when I drove cross country from San Francisco where I was stationed last on Treasure Island, taking the southern route from California to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
I had just gotten into two-stepping and line dancing and had only recently bought my boots and fancy belt on the Castro in San Fran. I started loving country western music in Fresno, CA while at a previous posting but only really started dancing in San Francisco at the Rawhide.
When driving cross country my goal was to dance in Phoenix and Dallas! Long story short, I fell in love with Dallas during that trip and life went on back in Florida for almost 30 plus years before Dallas would be back on my radar.
Fast forward to recent history, I was the Bar Manager of the Wilton Manors’ Eagle when CoVid hit and right before St. Patrick’s Day 2020, we shut down. I didn’t know then but that would be the end of my life in South Florida and my new journey towards the Lone Star.
My journey in jewelry with this particular style began in 2009 with working for designer Luis Morais famous for his jewelry on Madonna and Valentino. I had been personally in the jewelry industry since 1998; another long story but not as a designer. My artistic journey which would later blend with the jewelry started in 2010 when I became a gallery manager of Pop International Galleries in Soho, New York City. My exposure to that scene helped me to develop the name sake and message of my brand… RULE or be Ruled. A brand that inspires the wearers and collector of my art that under any circumstance be it adversary or congenial or weather leading or being lead, you should always express who you are as an individual.
Between 2011 and 2022, things would sit in the back burner as I just tried to navigate life and survive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My road to where I am today was not smooth but certainly guided by angels with a few bumps here and there. I had started designing back in 2010. Around that time I worked for a very famous jewelry designer, Luis Morais that sold at Bergdorf Goodman to much fanfare and worn by many of the worlds jet setters, celebrities and socialites on 4 continents, and to say he was not an inspiration of my style would be misleading. He was a big deal but I was the brand specialist that would fully form him with his own vision to the juggernaut he became when we put our heads together. Tragically our partnership would come to an end with so much unfinished energy wasted on jealousy.
My first failed attempt at designing in 2010 was in Florida where I did a few fashion shows and worked to launch my own jewelry line. Having worked for someone so connected all the doors once opened to me began to shut as those loyal to my former boss turned their backs on me. I left South Beach and moved to NYC and tried my luck there but alas also failed and put everything away by 2011. The country was going through a tough spot and so was I. I just went back to survival mode working different management and sales jobs in the jewelry industry. At least being a graduate gemologist proved to carry some clout and got me some decent gigs.
One of the great turning points was meeting Ben in 2022, the general manager of Skivvies in Oaklawn. Just instantly off the bat, he came across as a person who know the community and what they had to offer.
I arrived in Dallas October 31, 2021. Fast forward and a wild idea to revive my jewelry line, in the beginning of 2022. Let’s just say I was dusting off old styles and with old ideas and even more tarnished mindset I turned my sites on one of Oaklawn’s premier LGBTQ+ boutiques, Skivvies.
So I walk into Skivvies for a scheduled meeting with Benjamine. I was not prepared for some well needed post pandemic, real life (as my dad would say, “Bear shit in the wods!” kinda talk!) Ben through his very direct words had me reconsider that materials, price point and vision of my jewelry line. You see at first I was only doing beaded bracelets and thought sterling silver would be the way to go, but he really was admit that I come in at under $50. Fast forward several anxious weeks of recreating and adjusting my fine high end jeweler sensibilities, I discovered Steel!
Steel made everything affordable, accessible without compromising on design, quality and perception of value. Something I missed after the pandemic that shoppers wanted to find in the items they would spend their hard earned cash on three things; it had to be unique, good quality and well priced!
I presented the new collection to Benjamine, and it sold out in one month. A good friend who promoted events invited me to showcase at his party at the Round Up Saloon. Another pair of angels Jason Martinez and Michael Cabrera, who not only wore my pieces but spread the good word to their very fun a popular group of friends. One thing led to another with event promoters requesting my presences at many events with vendors. Today I can proudly say with the continued support of the many communities throughout Texas we support several events almost every single. You can see all our events on my main website www.robr.shop
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What set’s RULE or be Ruled and Bruce Negron Design above all else is our commitment to not only empower ones sense of self expression but we earnestly give back and participate in anything and everything that has to do with our great community. My jewelry is know for being extremely well priced, unique and quality. I fix things on the spot, we custom make chains and bracelets to fit at the event, while you wait. We are very customer service oriented and we believe in having a hand in had approach with the events that invite us to offer whatever service their particular event needs. I will create special items sold at events to follow themes etc. We work hard because we know that as men we have a myriad of options to spend our money. I also believe, you shouldn’t have to be rich to wear something tasteful and beautiful.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
www.robr.shop
or contact us via Instagram
@bruce_negron_design
Pricing:
- $25 to $85
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.robr.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruce_negron_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brucenegrondesign
- Twitter: https://x.com/BruceN_Design
Image Credits
Cameran Clark, The Barefoot Photographer for Loaded, Myself
