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Category Archive: Vintage

GAP vintage costume jewelry

Doris and Donald Fisher GAP vintage costume jewelry

Tree of life pin brooch. Yellow and Brown Enamel, silver tone metal. Doris and Donald Fisher GAP vintage costume jewelry

Doris and Donald Fisher GAP vintage costume jewelry
The history of Gap Inc. started in 1969 when Americans Doris Fisher (b. 1931) and Donald Fisher (1928-2009) opened their own store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco, California. Initially, they sold music discs and Levi’s products in stores. And they had a simple idea: to facilitate the search for a pair of jeans. However, in 1969, they revolutionized retail with no retail experience. Over time, the company expanded to a large network. In particular, they turned their company into a major global brand with over 3,200 stores.
Noteworthy, in 1974 they launched clothing and accessories line under their own brand – Gap. In 1976, Gap became public and, accordingly, added “Inc.” (incorporated) to its name. In 1977, they created the Gap Foundation.
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Precious vintage – Erte Art Deco jewelry

Erte Art Deco jewelry

Opera Lady Fedora with a Butterfly brooch pin. Gold tone metal, enamel, crystals. Signed FM (Franklin Mint). Erte Art Deco jewelry

Erte Art Deco jewelry
The works of Russian-born French artist and designer Romain de Tirtoff (November 23, 1892 – April 21, 1990) were admired by George Balanchine and Andy Warhol. Erte achieved worldwide fame in the 1970s and was awarded the French Order of Arts and Literature (1976). Around this period, he fulfilled his long-held dream of creating jewelry.
“The father of art deco” launched a series of jewelry made from his drawings of 1920-30s. Traditionally, the jewelers used 14 carat gold, sterling silver, rubies, diamonds, topazes, amethysts, mother of pearl, lapis lazuli and black onyx. Jewelry of this brand is rarity sold at special auctions.
Not satisfied with modern jewelry, Erte found it tasteless and pompous. In 1974 Jack Solomon specially came to Paris to meet him and help in his new business. Soon, Jack Solomon began to search for jewelers who could implement the designer’s plan. This jeweler was Natalie Kane O’Keiff, who lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their fruitful cooperation lasted 10 years.
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Gontie Paris vintage costume jewelry

Gontie Paris vintage costume jewelry

‘Remembrance’ brooch. Gold tone metal, gold plated, Swarovski crystals, enamel. 6.5 cm. 1960s. Gontie Paris vintage costume jewelry

Gontie Paris vintage costume jewelry
Belonged to the group, founded in 1890, GONTIÉ maintains a handicraft spirit using the most advanced technology. Gontié has both a creative workshop and a production workshop for various jewelry. Traditionally, brand jewelers use gold, silver, metal alloys, recycled glass, enamel, high-quality crystals and rhinestones. All Gontié jewelry is exclusive, including the entire process of creating jewelry – from design, selection of materials and decoration. In addition, all products have official markings, which indicates the level of quality of their creations. As a result, the jewelry of this brand is represented at 200 points of sale in France. Noteworthy, Gontie switched to direct online sales in 2009 by launching its online store (gontie-bijoux.fr) selling collections on the site at producer prices. However, in 2015 the online store ceased to exist.
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Xavier Loubens haute couture jewelry

Xavier Loubens haute couture jewelry

Heart abstract design brooch pendant. Silver tone, crystal. Xavier Loubens haute couture jewelry

Xavier Loubens haute couture jewelry

Loubens, together with d’Eduardo Braza created the Lumen Fashion House in Paris in 1990. At the very beginning of his career, Loubens had an internship at Givenchy Fashion House. Now he collaborates with several leading young French stylists and the largest European fashion houses. In particular, Guy Laroche, Patou, Balenciaga, Rochas, Givenchy, Vionnet, Christian Lacroix, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior. All of them consider the style of Xavier Loubens jewelry, accessories and fittings, its designs, the processing methods of metals, crystals and decorative modules – unique. As a result, all these famous fashion houses order from Xavier Loubens prêt-à-porter and haute couture jewelry, buttons, and decorative modules for embroidering fabrics and shoes for their collections.
According to Xavier Loubens, he doesn’t like clear things. He likes to mix precious metals and stones and so called “bad taste” materials: plates of thin brass, rhinestones, plastic and resin. “It is fair, fresh and always unique”.
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Olit Jewelry Inc vintage costume jewelry

Olit Jewelry Inc vintage costume jewelry

Christmas Bell Brooch. Gold tone metal, jewelry enamel, faux pearl. 1995. Olit Jewelry Inc vintage costume jewelry

Olit Jewelry Inc vintage costume jewelry (1987-2000)
The history of privately held company Olit Jewelry Inc began in 1987. Its address was 38 Lockhart Ave, Warwick, Rhode Island, the US. Initially, it was a family business of Richard Joseph Litterio (president) and Okchin B. Litterio (vice-president). Categorized under Novelty and Costume Jewelry Manufacturers, the company employed a approximately 15 craftsmen.

Traditionally, the designers used pewter-silver or gold tone metal, lucite, enamel, Swarovski crystals and rhinestones. Also, they marked their jewelry pieces “Olit Inc., ©”, US and the year of production. Noteworthy, most pieces have the markings with the year of production – 1995.

Incorporated in 1987, the company ceased to exist in 2014. However, the last mention of the company dates back to 2002. In fact, Olit Jewelry Inc stopped manufacturing jewelry before 2000. Today, the retired couple Richard Joseph Litterio (b. 1955) and his wife Okchin B. Litterio live in Freeport, Florida.
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Carolina Herrera vintage costume jewelry

Carolina Herrera vintage costume jewelry

Beige enamel faux pearl earrings. Carolina Herrera vintage costume jewelry

Carolina Herrera vintage costume jewelry
Recognized in the 1970s one of the most stylish women in the world, Carolina Herrera is a renowned Venezuelan-American fashion designer. Thanks to her own luxurious style, as well as friendship with the English Princess Margaret and Vogue Editor-in-Chief Diana Vreeland, Herrera launched her own fashion clothing line. The history of fashion brand Carolina Herrera New York began in 1981, when she was forty-two. In addition to clothes, she made eye-catching, alluring and exquisite jewelry.
Having founded her label, she dressed Jacqueline Kennedy for the last 12 years of her life. Noteworthy, Carolina Herrera Ltd owns dozens trademarks on production of clothes, perfumes, accessories, including four jewelry trademarks. According to the designer, her eyes see only beautiful things and she successfully implements the beauty in her products.
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Estee Lauder vintage costume jewelry

Estee Lauder vintage costume jewelry

Brooch with charms – lipstick, nail polish and perfume. Gold tone, blue and red cabochon. 6 cm. 1990s. Estee Lauder vintage costume jewelry

Estee Lauder vintage costume jewelry
Founded in 1946, Estee Lauder Inc became famous for its cutting-edge technology and innovative discoveries. The company produced luxurious skin care products, makeup and perfumes. In addition to cosmetics, they began creating jewelry promoting its main products. The history of Estee Lauder brand on production of jewelry containing fragrances began in 1962.
Traditionally, the design included perfume and cosmetics as the dominant theme. For example, a brooch with charms in the form of lipstick, nail polish and a bottle of perfume. Made with the use of 14 carat gold, glass cabochons, faux pearls, crystals and enamel, all decorations have marking EL, or Estee Lauder.
Undoubtedly, EL founders knew how to make a woman beautiful and happy.
Noteworthy, the design of many jewelry pieces combined cosmetics and jewelry. Among them, in particular, was a series of multifunctional locket pendants. Any woman could use it as a jewelry and as a cosmetic product – perfume or compact powder.
Produced mostly in the 1960-90s, EL ornaments have become desirable for lovers and collectors of vintage costume jewelry.
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