January 10, 2022

Priority Metals and The 1950s

When we study costume jewelry and discuss the metal shortages brought on by WWII, we often fail to recognize that the jewelry industry in the early 1950s also experienced metal shortages brought on by the […]
July 7, 2021

Oscar de la Renta

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo, Oscar de la Renta (his professional name), was a Dominican American fashion designer. He trained under fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and artist and sculptor, […]
May 18, 2018

The Dior-Kramer Connection

The Dior-Kramer Connection Product endorsements, licensing, and marketing collaboration is an essential part of the business survival of the “mega-designer.” This cross-company licensing can be traced back to at least one designer, Christian Dior. Many […]
April 28, 2018

Novelty Jewelry: Fishbowl Earrings by Carol Creations (Mack Henfield and Sons)

Novelty Jewelry: Fishbowl Earrings by Carol Creations (Mack Henfield and Sons) Each decade has its own quirky fad of novelty jewelry that retailers used to drive traffic to their stores. One such fad dubbed as, […]
April 28, 2018

Italian Mosaic Pins – Costume Jewelry For the Tourist Trade

Mosaic work is an ancient art, and “contemporary” mosaic pins, bracelets, and necklaces have been in favor for more than a century.   Fashion trade magazines dating back to 1915 note their importance in fashion […]