Stephen Webster’s limited edition mosquito rings are officially this winter’s hottest accessory after selling out on ASOS in under three hours – a new record for the online fashion store. The rings, as seen on the fingers of Victoria Beckham and Erin O’Connor, are now expected to become lasting collector’s pieces.

Webster, famed for his originality and cutting edge designs was originally commissioned by Malaria Awareness Campaign to create a piece of jewellery to highlight the serious issue of malaria among UK travellers and to raise funds for Malaria No More UK. Webster responded to the brief with characteristic flair and glam rock creativity with a one-of-a-kind fine jewel mosquito ring on sale now for ca. £15K and 660 limited edition replicas, which sold out exclusively on ASOS at £50 each.

100% of the profits from the rings will be used to support Malaria No More UK’s first investment in Africa. The project is in Botswana, southern central Africa, where the national government has set an aggressive target to fully eliminate malaria by 2015. Malaria No More UK is supporting this effort and thanks to ASOS customers who purchased a replica ring, life-saving nets will be given out to households who do not yet have one. The nets cost just £5 and protect a mother and her child for up to five years.

Stephen Webster said: “The mosquito ring is both a statement and provocative piece. Yet the message behind the ring has touched everyone who has bought it, of which there are now 660. We are delighted for Malaria No More UK. We made a commitment to fight malaria and we are doing so one ring at a time”.

Webster’s fine jewellery ring will be sold to the highest private bidder with anticipated retail price of £15K and all proceeds going to Malaria No More UK. The striking piece is fashioned in rhodium plated 18ct white gold set with ruby cabochons, white diamond pave wings, a silver diamond tail and a black diamond band.

Victoria Beckham said: It’s a fabulous statement piece and I’ve loved wearing it. It’s inspiring to see designers like Stephen working the power of fashion to save lives. Malaria is such an important issue, killing more children under five in Africa than any other single disease. I’m crossing my fingers this collaboration will generate loads of buzz and funds for Malaria No More UK”.

Sarah Kline, Executive Director of Malaria No More UK says: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to our first collaboration which will help save thousands of lives in Africa. I hope this project will also act as an important reminder to UK travellers to check whether they need to protect themselves against malaria as they head off for winter holidays”.

Malaria is one of the world’s most serious, preventable health crises and threatens half the world’s population with pregnant women and children the most vulnerable. In the UK, some 1,500 – 2,000 travellers return every year having contracted the disease. For more information about malaria and how you can protect yourself, please visit: www.malarianomore.org.uk and www.malariahotspots.co.uk.

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