A focus on... the 1930s

Although the Great Depression affected many women during the 1930s, this decade is thought of as a glamorous era. The depression influenced fashion in that clothing manufacturers began incorporating less expensive fabrics like rayon into their designs because only the more affluent could afford silk. However, it was less common to buy new clothes; instead women invested in spectacular accessories to achieve elegance inspired by Hollywood glamour.

Costume jewellery was popular due to it being inexpensive and Coco Chanel is often credited with creating costume jewellery. Art Deco still had an influence on designs in the earlier part of the decade but as the years went by, simpler styles were preferred. Contrasting colours and big and bold gems were all trends of the decade. A distinct change in 1930s jewellery was the mixing of plastic materials with natural ones, and one of the most common plastics used was Bakelite, which was already being used for many things from electrical insulators to kitchenware. Moonstones also became a prominent feature, as well as other non-expensive gems, such as amber.

At Vintage Modes, you will find an ample amount of irresistible 1930s costume jewellery.  Below is just a small selection on offer, but be quick! These pieces are becoming hard to come by!

Art Deco paste and amber glass buckle, offered by Arabella Bianco

Art Deco mottled green glass necklace, offered by Arabella Bianco

Vintage Art Deco Mother of Pearl and rhinestone necklace by Esha Randel, offered by Arabella Bianco

White paste and green glass Art Deco necklace, offered by Unicorn

Deco peking glass and bakelite necklace, offered by Unicorn

Art Deco brooch - black galalith & white diamante, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Art Deco celluloid hat flash - red and diamante, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

White paste brooch with a black glass circle, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

A focus on.. the 1920s

Here at Vintage Modes we will be doing a round up of fashion across the eras over the coming weeks, starting with the 1920s.

The 1920s is largely associated with flapper style dresses and the Art Deco period. In terms of jewellery, the 1920s moved away from the fussiness of the Art Nouveau period and from the societal pressures to wear your wealth. Precious stones were replaced with semi precious stones and plastics.

One popular style was the long beaded necklace; they had round faceted stones in the popular Art Deco colour pallet of black, red, white and green. Beads made of bakelite or lucite made jewellery affordable to everyone. One popular style of the long beaded necklace was the Sautoir. It usually had a tassel hanging at the bottom or a large single gemstone pendant and could be worn down the front or back of a dress.

In addition to necklaces, with women cutting their hair short, drop earrings became a popular style of earring, drawing attention to the neck area.

Here is a selection of our favourite 1920s and Art Deco pieces from Vintage Modes at Grays:

Art Deco beaded bag. Available from Unicorn.

Filigree metal Art Deco brooch. Available from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery.

Czechoslovakian glass drop earrings, pierced. Available from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery.

Czechoslovakian glass drop earrings, pierced. Available from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery.

Long 1920s style sautoir beaded necklace. Available from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery.

Early Art Deco style metal and enamel drop earrings, pierced. Available from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery.

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

Assuit Fashion

Metal thread embroidery is an ancient form of ornamentation. Originating in the Middle East, India, China and Japan, there are biblical references to its use with the linen cloth of Egypt. As soon as the western world became aware of this type of ornamentation in 1920, it became a fashionable item.

This form of embroidery, also known as assuit, usually comes in shawls and was all handmade by tribal women. It is made using a flat embroidery needle, inserting narrow silver and sometimes gold coloured metallic strips and hand crimping them, like a staple, into a cotton or linen mesh ground.

The designs were usually focussed into two groups, Geometric and Figural. Geometric Assuit has filled in diamonds or triangle forms and is sometimes covered solid.

Figural Assuit may have rows of trees or corn like plants with full skirted women or camels with riders.

Pricing has increased in more recent years, though it has started being remade and is making a comeback, however the quality of tribal assuit will never be accomplished in modern pieces.

Leslie of Arabella Bianco, located in Vintage Modes has a beautiful genuine Art Deco Egyptian assuit shawl displayed for sale. Its golden colour and geometric patten make this piece marvellous and irresistible. For more information email: mail@arabellabianco.co.uk

Geometric pattern assuit shawl by Arabella Bianco

A close up of the beautiful geometric pattern

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

RED ART DECO MIRROR AND COMB

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

Unusual red enamel Deco mirror and comb. The mirror and handle are decorated with a striking black and gold  geometric design. The faux tortoiseshell comb has its original tassel to help you pull it out from the handle, which can fold down so that it becomes compact enough to carry in a handbag.  In good condition.  Ref,. V006/M73, price £108.  More details on the G|rays website www.graysantiques.com

Art Deco Snakeskin Bag

I found this bag when I was travelling in South America and it is wonderful condition for it's age. The snakeskin is yellowish brown and black in colour and the inside is suede and satin. There is one pocket inside and the clasp is bakelite. £180.