Cover Photo Courtesy of CHANEL
From the very beginning, fashion jewelry has been a world of its own. Around 300 years ago, the idea of making fashion jewelry came to life, and here’s how it started and how it has become in this story.
Also known as costume jewelry, these accessories were made to resemble their precious peers while being more affordable for most people. Made using cheaper material, silver, as well as other affordable metals, and imitation gemstones were used to manufacture this type of jewelry, which during the Industrial Revolution, fed the middle class’s craving for visually appealing and budget-friendly jewels.
As production methods improved, these pieces became very accessible but it wasn’t until the 20th century that costume jewelry really took off as designers such as Dior and CHANEL presented their own take on this concept, adding to the blend a touch of luxury. In fact, Mademoiselle Chanel once said that “really elegant women were those who could mix together different jewelry, real and fake, suitable for each occasion as foreseen by the dress code of those days.”
Today, with the many luxurious and non-luxurious interpretations that costume jewelry has witnessed, it has become more than a status symbol – it is now considered an essential element that aims to complete stylish outfits ever-so-perfectly.
Article Written by Mirella Haddad
