Costume jewelry : collection of Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo

Costume jewerly is not made to give women an aura of wealth, but to make them beautiful.
Coco Chanel

Faux and Fabulous

A dazzling collection that celebrates the beauty and artistry of imitation gems

In the early 20th century, New York became the epicenter of paste jewelry design, as artisans fleeing war-torn Europe rebuilt their craft in America. Their expertise propelled the city to fashion's forefront, ushering in an era of bold, beautiful, and accessible bijouterie. Featuring 574 of the world's most exquisite costume gems, this book follows jewelry's democratization, as women embraced statement accessorizing and a newfound fashion freedom. Beyond their intrinsic beauty, these baubles embodied rebellion and transformation : they adorned Hollywood's greatest icons, and became symbols of liberation, identity, and creativity.

Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo's collection contains more than 1.000 pieces from the 1930s onwards, exemplifying the styles and creativity of designers into the 21st century. Among them are William Hobé, whose creations adorned the outfits of famous performers in the Ziegfeld shows on Broadway, and Joseff of Hollywood, who worked for film stars such as Shirley Temple, Vivien Leigh, and Elizabeth Taylor. The highly collectible pieces by William de Lillo make up an important part of the collection.