Costume Jewelry for Haute Couture

The term 'costume jewelry' was coined in the twentieth century for the use of non-precious metals and jewels for human adornment. This sumptuously illustrated book surveys the exquisite range of costume jewelry produced by haute couture fashion houses, a subject until now overlooked by both historians and fashion cognoscenti alike. It showcases the extraordinary diversity and exceptional craftsmanship of the jewelry in hundreds of beautifully reproduced pieces from such fashion houses as Chanel, Courrges, Yves St Laurent and Lanvin. The story begins in antiquity, but the main focus is on costume jewelry? s heyday, which ran from the 1920s to the 1990s. The main stages in its development are placed in historical, social and cultural contexts, then the focus moves to the creative activity of jewelry-making and the partnerships between great couturiers, costume jewellers and craftsmen. The spectacular photographs include hundreds specially taken for this volume, as well as many original photographs of the jewelry being worn. Costume Jewelry for Haute Couture will delight anyone with an interest in this most creative and accessible decorative art.