In the 1920s Chanel introduced luxurious costume jewelry—both for her collections and herself, which she wore in abundance. Due to her reputation, it not only insured that these pieces acquired prestige and but also a high price. She believed if a woman wore a lot of jewelry it should be costume jewelry because women dripping in real jewelry were foolish. “Too much money kills luxury.”
Chanel opened her own jewelry workshop in 1924. She met Madame Gripoix, who with her husband, were famous costume jewelry designers known for their “pate de verre” (glass pate) as well as their extensive use of naturalistic forms such as butterflies, bees, and flowers.
Chanel and Madame Gripoix worked together using Venetian glass beads which have a beautiful translucent quality. They would not set a stone in a base, but form the base around Venetian glass.
Madame Gripoix remained a family run business and worked for the House of Chanel into her late nineties. Her pieces are still considered some of the most important pieces of the Chanel jewelry history.
In June 2006 Decades was pleased to offer the collection of Madame X, an individual directly involved with Chanel in both Paris and New York during the 80s and 90s. Her position afforded her the first preview of the best Chanel had to offer. Some highlights from her collection include chokers and broaches Madame Gripoix recreated from pieces she designed for Chanel in the 20s and 30s; long strands of Gripoix Baroque pearls; wide gold cuffs; iconic crystal crosses, as well as gold and black leather motorcycle chokers.
The items featured above, represent a sampling of the collections' entirety. Back To Main