Discover the dazzling history of costume jewelry through the extraordinary collection of Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo. In the early twentieth century, New York became the center of costume jewelry design as jewelers fleeing war-torn Europe rebuilt their craft in America. Their expertise propelled the city to the forefront of the fashion world and ushered in an era of bold, beautiful, and accessible jewelry design.

Featuring texts by Carol Woolton and Maria Luisa Frisa, including reflections shaped through interviews with Patrizia herself, this volume presents nearly 600 of the finest pieces spanning the 1930s through the early twenty-first century. It tells the story of jewelry’s democratization as increasing numbers of women embraced expressive accessories and discovered new forms of fashion freedom. Beyond their beauty — vividly captured in Luciano Romano’s detailed photography — these pieces embodied rebellion and transformation, adorning Hollywood’s greatest icons while becoming symbols of identity and creativity.

The book reveals how visionary designers and shifting cultural movements shaped costume jewelry across successive eras, reflecting the artistic, economic, and social changes of their time. Innovative materials such as Lucite and Bakelite, alongside the use of luminous tropical colors, inspired entirely new waves of design. Through remarkable craftsmanship, designers incorporated intricate details and striking motifs into creations that were often avant-garde, blurring the line between so-called “fine” jewelry and costume jewelry itself. Accessories became wearable art.

An essential source of inspiration for collectors, designers, and jewelry enthusiasts alike.

DETAILS • Author: Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo • Publisher: Taschen • Format: Hardcover