March 08, 2023
Celebrating Women in Jewelry History
Women have played a crucial role in shaping the history of jewelry, and we are excited to share their stories and celebrate their legacies with you.
These extraordinary women have paved the way and became symbols of empowerment for generations to come.
These extraordinary women have paved the way and became symbols of empowerment for generations to come.
Elsa Peretti
Elsa Peretti is a pioneer in the world of jewelry design, recognized for her innovative and unique approach to creating pieces that blend artistic elements with practical wearability. Born in Italy in 1940, Peretti initially pursued a career in interior design and architecture before moving to New York in the late 1960s. It was here that she first began experimenting with jewelry design, creating pieces for fashion designers and eventually catching the attention of renowned jewelry house Tiffany & Co. Her partnership with Tiffany & Co. spanned over four decades, during which time she created some of the company's most iconic pieces, including the "Bean" pendant and the "Bone" cuff. Peretti's designs are characterized by their fluid, organic forms and their emphasis on the natural beauty of materials like silver and gold. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is part of the permanent collections of museums around the world.
Peretti's influence on the world of jewelry extends far beyond her individual designs. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in the industry, paving the way for other female designers to gain recognition and respect in what was traditionally a male-dominated field. Peretti's success is all the more impressive given the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry, particularly during the early years of her career. Today, she is recognized as one of the most significant and influential designers of the past century, and her legacy continues to inspire and influence designers around the world.
Peretti's influence on the world of jewelry extends far beyond her individual designs. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in the industry, paving the way for other female designers to gain recognition and respect in what was traditionally a male-dominated field. Peretti's success is all the more impressive given the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry, particularly during the early years of her career. Today, she is recognized as one of the most significant and influential designers of the past century, and her legacy continues to inspire and influence designers around the world.
Coreen Simpson
Coreen Simpson is an influential figure in the history of jewelry design, known for her unique and daring designs that have challenged traditional notions of beauty and style. Born in the Bronx in 1939, Simpson began her career as a fashion illustrator before discovering her passion for jewelry design in the 1960s. Her work quickly gained recognition for its bold and unconventional use of materials, including leather, feathers, and even toothbrushes. Simpson's designs were a reflection of the cultural and political movements of the time, with many of her pieces inspired by the Black Power movement and the struggle for civil rights.
Throughout her career, Simpson was committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the world of jewelry design. She was one of the first Black designers to achieve widespread recognition in the industry, paving the way for future generations of designers of color. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is part of the permanent collections of museums around the world, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Today, Simpson's legacy continues to inspire and influence designers around the world, and her work serves as a reminder of the power of jewelry to reflect and shape the cultural zeitgeist.
Throughout her career, Simpson was committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the world of jewelry design. She was one of the first Black designers to achieve widespread recognition in the industry, paving the way for future generations of designers of color. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is part of the permanent collections of museums around the world, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Today, Simpson's legacy continues to inspire and influence designers around the world, and her work serves as a reminder of the power of jewelry to reflect and shape the cultural zeitgeist.
Paloma Picasso
Paloma Picasso is a renowned jewelry designer and artist, recognized for her innovative and unique approach to creating jewelry that blends artistic elements with wearability. Born in France in 1949, Picasso was the daughter of legendary artist Pablo Picasso and painter Françoise Gilot. After studying at the University of Paris, she began her career as a designer in the early 1970s, creating her first jewelry collection for the Greek jewelry company Zolotas. Her designs quickly gained recognition for their bold, geometric shapes and use of unconventional materials such as leather and silver.
In the years that followed, Picasso's work gained widespread acclaim, and she became one of the most sought-after jewelry designers of her time. She was commissioned by some of the world's leading fashion houses, including Yves Saint Laurent, and her work was worn by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Picasso's designs were characterized by their bold, graphic shapes and their emphasis on the natural beauty of materials such as gold and precious gemstones. Today, she is regarded as one of the most influential jewelry designers of the past century, and her work continues to inspire and influence designers around the world.
In the years that followed, Picasso's work gained widespread acclaim, and she became one of the most sought-after jewelry designers of her time. She was commissioned by some of the world's leading fashion houses, including Yves Saint Laurent, and her work was worn by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Picasso's designs were characterized by their bold, graphic shapes and their emphasis on the natural beauty of materials such as gold and precious gemstones. Today, she is regarded as one of the most influential jewelry designers of the past century, and her work continues to inspire and influence designers around the world.
