Flower brooch. Gold tone, lucite. 1980s. Kenzo costume jewelry

Kenzo costume jewelry
The history of Kenzo jewelry began in 1980, while the legendary French brand was founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada (February 27, 1939 – October 4, 2020).
Called “the most French of Japanese designers”, Takada came to Paris in 1964. Ethnic style inherent in any Kenzo product, both clothing and jewelry. Kenzo jewelry is more like museum treasures, which have collected elements of all the exotic tribes and nations of the planet.
Each decoration is a compromise between contemporary and vintage, massive and individual, strength and weakness. The jewels of this brand make you either fall in love from the first moment or hate them. In any case, Kenzo products will not leave anyone indifferent.
Noteworthy, the designer not just creates jewelry – behind every cut, shape and design there is a whole mini-performance. The jeweler embodies folk, lyrical, national images from Europe, Japan, America, and China in his products. Noteworthy, Takada perpetuated many rare, exotic plants and flowers in his jewelry masterpieces.
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Pharaoh brooch pendant. Gold tone, black enamel. Erwin Pearl vintage costume jewelry

Erwin Pearl vintage costume jewelry
Born in Austria, Erwin Pearl grew up in the US, where he moved with his uncle after the end of the Second World War. Since his youth he studied jewelry, and over time became one of the best diamond cutters in the world.
The history of Erwin Pearl jewelry brand began in 1957, when Erwin founded the eponymous company.
Initially, he handcrafted jewelry of his own design using diamonds, pearls and precious stones. His attention to detail and outstanding craftsmanship helped create a series of exquisite jewelry. Accordingly, among his clients were politicians, movie stars and pop stars.
The success was overwhelming, and Erwin won first place at the prestigious diamond design Diamond International Award in London for 5 years in a row.
Meanwhile, in 1970 the company decided to start producing low-priced jewelry.
The maker’s markings include P.E.P. (since 1970s), Erwin Pearl (since 1983), and E.Pearl (since 1991), to name the few.
Noteworthy, for more than sixty years of its history, New York based Erwin Pearl corporation has founded 33 jewelry trademarks. In particular, KC (1969-2001), Bettina (1976 – 1999), Forever-Gold (1992), Mercedes Jones (1992-93), Fashion*Lite (1992-2001), Golden Comfort (1992-94), Sheffield Gold (1993-2002), Mini Jewels (1993-94), Look of Gold (1993-2002), Precious Marriage (1993-95), The Look of Silver (1993-2002), Forever Silver (1993), Bead Street (1994-2006), Inklings (1995-2003), Everyone Needs A Hug (1996-2005), White House Collection (1996-), Hugs (1996-98), Hip Hugs (1996-99), Purely Silver (1996-2008), Marcel Duval (1997-2004), 999 Super Fine (1998-2010), Mystery Necklace By Erwin Pearl (1998-2000), and Feather Touch (1999-2008). Also, the company has 11 jewelry trademarks registered since 2000s.
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Scorpio zodiac sign vintage brooch-pendant. Jewelry alloy of gold tone, crystals. Liz Claiborne vintage costume jewelry

Liz Claiborne vintage costume jewelry
Founded in 1976 in New York, Liz Claiborne Inc. was named after the famous American designer Anne Elisabeth Jane Claiborne, who also became a part of the founders. The company immediately became successful. In 2006, the company’s turnover amounted to more than 5 billion dollars. Liz Claiborne Inc. became the first woman-based company to be on the prestigious list of the most successful Fortune 500 companies.
Behind each brooch and each pair of LC labeled clips there is a story of a truly strong woman. LC accessories, like all other products of the company, were originally designed for a middle-income woman who works. That is, she chooses jewelry and clothing herself with her own money. Clayborn herself became the symbol of many business women. She worked until the last days of her life (she died of cancer) and transferred her empire to her children – relatives and adoptees.
A multi-million dollar corporation, Liz Claiborne has registered hundreds of brands, including dozens of jewelry brands, owned by companies which produced jewelry under license. Noteworthy, the labeling of this brand’s jewelry is varied in style (the picture below the post).
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Chinese opera singer face, mask brooch. Clear and red rhinestones, silver tone metal. Reinad costume jewelry

Reinad costume jewelry
The history of the Reinad 5th Avenue jewelry trademark began in 1949, headquartered at 256 W. 38th St. New York 18, NY. According to sources, the company created jewelry for other companies even much earlier, since 1920s. Among these companies were Boucher, Hattie Carnegie, and Eisenberg Ice.
Also, at the end of 1941 Chanel Novelty Co. launched its jewelry line with REINAD.

In his book “Costume Jewelry : A Practical Handbook and Value Guide” (1997), Fred Rezazadeh gave a useful advice. “If you see Reinad jewelry, try to buy it, because you will not have a second chance.”
In the late 1940s and early 50s, while Chanel lived in Switzerland, her fashion house was inactive, and the Chanel didn’t produce jewelry. However, on the vintage jewelry market, you can sometimes see enameled brooches, mostly dated 1940s, with Chanel mark. In fact, these jewels were the products of the US firm Chanel Novelty Co. Noteworthy, Chanel filed a lawsuit against it and forced it to change the name to Reinad Novelty Company.
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A boy with a dog figural brooch. Gold tone, enamel. 1970s. Carolee vintage costume jewelry

Carolee vintage costume jewelry
An architect by training, Carolee Friedlander founded the eponymous jewelry brand in 1972. According to Friedlander, she started her business on the kitchen table, creating a necklace of various beads and crystals. First of all, she wanted women not only to buy her jewelry pieces, but also to collect them.
She opened her first store in Bloomingdales (New York) in 1989.
Six years later, Carolee launched a joint collection with Ralph Lauren. And in 1996 she created the iconic collection inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Thanks to the incredible “fashionable” flair and the ability to quickly make risky decisions, the company became the first to sell its products online. Interestingly, for the first two hours, they earned half a million dollars!
Noteworthy, the retail brand alliance Brooks Brothers, the oldest men’s clothing brand in the USA, bought Carolee company in 2001. Today, Carolee produces and sells jewelry in many countries, including the USA, China, Korea and the UK.
Many famous ladies prefer Carolee brand. Among them – Michelle Obama, Brooke Shields, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba, Pamela Anderson, Caroline Beckham, Penelope Cruz and more.
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Cat brooch-pin. Metal alloy, rhinestones, crystals. 4 cm. Signed Pell vintage costume jewelry

Signed Pell vintage costume jewelry
The history of Pell brand began in Long Island City, NY founded by four brothers Joseph, Anthony, Alfred and William Gaita in 1941. The Pell company began producing a wide range of jewelry, mostly silver plated. Noteworthy, Pell Jewelry Co. designed jewelry for Disney Productions and the Miss America competition. Also, the company participated in the production of Coro jewelry. Since 1955, a copyright label has appeared on the Pell jewelry label.
Founded by the Gaita brothers, Pell Jewelry Co. is still in business as of 2006, thanks to the youngest of brothers – Alfred Gaita. Making only the best quality products that have been developed over the years, Pell jewelry is very popular among lovers of costume jewelry.
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Sunflower brooch, large 14 cm, made of jewelry alloy and lucite. St John SJ costume jewelry

St John SJ costume jewelry
Founded in 1962 by spouses Mary and Robert Gray, St. John (St. John Knits International Inc.) is a popular American luxury women’s knitwear brand. Based in Southern California, USA, the company began manufacturing costume jewelry in the early 1980s.
First, “St. John” opened a jewelry workshop and created branded buttons with the famous monogram of the brand “SJ”. In addition, they started to produce jewelry – brooches, bracelets, necklaces, belts with charms, as well as the famous and always recognizable clips-buttons.
Their line of jewelry, marked “St. John”, or SJ, as well as clothing, designed in the classical style, was mainly in black and white tones. Creating their jewelry, masters used high-quality matte and glossy metals, 24-carat gold plating, as well as rhodium plating. Also, Austrian Swarovski crystals and artificial pearls.
Noteworthy, high-quality enamels, which cover the “St. John” ornaments and buttons, do not have cracks even after 25 years of use (!). Jewelry lovers and collectors of vintage costume jewelry appreciate St John decorations.
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