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

Advanced Style

 Last month our very own Gillian Horsup, costume jewellery dealer extraordinaire, was featured on Advanced Style in an article about Bakelite bangles.  We think she and the other ladies all look fabulous.

 

Gillian in Advanced Style

Gillian and Lola Boggi (both at Vintage Modes) have a dazzling array of Bakelite bangles in stock.  The spectrum of colours available is always diverse ranging from Mississippi Mud to Butterscotch, Apple Juice and Pea Green to striking red.  Shapes, sizes also vary with some very beautifully carved with different designs.

Wide Bakelite bangle in mottled rusty brown. £65

Selection of Bakelite bangles. Price from £20-65.

 

Yellow Bakelite bangle with carved flower design. £95

 

Read the full article on Advanced Style here. 
Visit Vintage Modes to see the full selection of Bakelite bangles!