Kirks Folly fabulous jewellery

19.08.2015

113 3 minutes read

Pictured in white (left to right) Jennifer, Helen, and below Nancy Addison. Kirks Folly fabulous jewellery — Pictured in white (left to right) Jennifer, Helen, and below Nancy Addison (partner and a friend, a professional model). Nancy worked for the first few years. Kirks Folly fabulous jewellery

Kirks Folly fabulous jewellery
American company Kirks Folly, producing fabulous jewelry for 35 years, closed November 1, 2014, to the misfortune of its fans. It was success that made a profit. There were adult successors who could continue the business. Well, why then the company closed? I find only one answer – the favorite child, which they developed for 35 years and in which they have invested so much time, love and life, they could not trust anyone. History knows many examples when the control over the company changed owners and was sold, or remained only its name, which over the years lost its former appeal. Managers began to save, alternated with designers and grandeur go into oblivion. Apparently this fate the Kirks family did not want for their company.

Decorations on Nancy, the first years of creative tandem — Nancy, the first years of creative tandem

Getting to know the history and Kirks Folly jewellery will not leave anyone indifferent, for sure it will be love at first sight. Two young American women very pretty sisters Helen and Jennifer Kirk in 1979 merged into a creative alliance. The start was like Hand made. Helen was responsible for the design and Jennifer for the implementation of created products. And they did not create jewelry, not enchanting brooches, but accessories and hair ornaments.

They created themselves, selling it themselves. Great bands, headbands, barrettes, hairpins, all kinds of clips, bows and ribbons. Along with the tapes, rubber bands and traditional fabrics used feathers of various birds, faux pearls, crystals, shells, fur, plastic tubes, wooden buttons. A lot of that was unusual, not typical, but overall looked amazing.

After some time, the talent did not go unnoticed and designers began to buy goods, and after some time the contract was signed with the trade mark Bloomindagles.

April 19, 1980 was released first major article about the company, on the front page of The New York Times. On a photo of Jennifer. The article was called “Hair jewelry from a Threesome”. It was the first big recognition.

Page of Vogue early 1980s. The company began making brooches. On the model, not all brooches by Kirks Folly, but the largest ones – their production.

In the early 80s the family business joined brother George and sister Elizabeth Kirk. Even their mother supported the family business, and as an opportunity to help children. A great example of unity and understanding in the family! Everything worked well and was fruitful. The company opened a small production. Almost everything was done manually.

The first stuff of the company. Mum and Elizabeth in violet, Helen, Nancy and Jennifer in the dark - pink — The first stuff of the company. Mum and Elizabeth in violet, Helen, Nancy and Jennifer in the dark – pink

Pay attention to the girl at the bottom left corner. She was the first buyer of a miracle work by sisters Kirk, she who worked in Bloomingdale, and subsequently signed a contract on cooperation. After a while she left the service in Bloomingdale, and went to work in the company Kirks Folly.

The company literally “breathed” atmosphere of creativity, understanding and love. This attitude in Kirks Folly was all of 35 years. Maybe that’s because the company did not have a mega scale, was not placed on the cash flow, it has retained its uniqueness and quality.

The realization of their amazing products company carried out only through a small shop, but in the 90s disrupted the runaway success at the auction QVC and then went out to the international market.

The scale of production rose, opened a small factory in China and France, there was a network of dealers. But even then, they company still remained in the family, with the soul.

Until the last day of the company, Helen was responsible for the design of the products, carefully selecting all the achievements. The photo of Helen at work.

And yet, Jennifer has always been positive toward fun, she often organizes various shows, family events, cruises auction. These show a lot of enthusiasm, there are quite well-known actors and singers, all auctions are held in a relaxed atmosphere of magic, which corresponds to the company’s products. Many of these buyers were waiting for the show, because they could not only have fun, but also buy many fabulous products with a good discount.

Jennifer in the dressing room before the show. If you pay attention, they wear jewelry of solely their production. Jennifer jokingly calls herself good witch, and Helen – Fairy.

Family photo in which George, Jennifer, Helen, the younger generation of the Kirk family and a guest actor

Alice in Wonderland story told by Kirks Folly

Kirks Folly specialized in the manufacture of costume jewellery and accessories. The expression “Dreams really do come true” is the motto of Kirks Folly. History of magical, enchanting, whimsical jewelry of this brand began in 1979 in New York, by a brother and three sisters – George, Helen, Jennifer, Elizabeth.

Their inspired fantasy created a sparkling world full of fairies, angels, mermaids, mystical creatures and graceful dancers. The first jewels of Kirks Folly, put up for auction QVC, were sold out for 40 minutes. All work not only with fantastic design, but also made with impeccable quality, which is evident in the smallest details.