Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York

The jewelry and accessory division at Pierce Mattie PR recently caught up with the UK’s most well known authority of jewelry journalism Carol Woolton. Woolton is the jewelry or as the Brits like to spell it ‘jewellery’ editor of British 'Vogue' and a leading international authority on jewelry. Previously she was 'Tatler' Magazine's first jewelry editor. She has written widely on antique and contemporary jewelry for 'The Times', 'The Financial Times' and 'Art Quarterly.' Woolton is releasing a new book this fall titled, Fashion for Jewels: 100 Years of Styles and Icons. It will be sold at all major bookstores starting October 1^st. This is what she had to share with us about Fashion For Jewels.  

PM: What prompted you to write Fashion for Jewels 

CW: I wanted to write Fashion for Jewels because there are many jewelry books on the market but none that trace the striking parallels between fashion and jewelry design that emerged from the Belle Epoque onwards.

PM: Do you see this new decade placing more importance on costume jewelry, more so than ever before?

CW: One of the strongest movements in the jewelry world has been the involvement of fashion brands in fine jewels such as Dior, Gucci, Versace, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, which has pushed the boundaries of jewelry design. And with fashion forward labels like Marni, Lanvin and Burberry showing jewels on the runway I do see costume jewelry becoming increasingly linked to fashion as an integrated look.

PM: What was the ‘constant’ theme for you that kept surfacing during your research of the last 100 years?

CW: We always think of the jewelry world as a glittering tortoise in comparison with the fast paced hare-like fashion industry, precious objects created to be timeless. I was struck by the fact that for every strong fashion over the last 100 years, there has been equally strong designs in jewels running in parallel, both reflecting the style of the time.

PM: Michelle Obama is featured in the book. What importance has she played to the jewelry industry?

CW: Women in the White House have been strong supporters of what I term the 'Power Pearl,' a serious expression of jewelry. In spite of their price tag somehow South Sea pearls don't look as extravagant as diamonds, plus their sheen reflects well on an older woman's skin tone. Michelle Obama embraces fashion showing a working woman can also be a woman of style and casually mixes in statement necklaces with her wardrobe.

PM: What was the most fascinating nugget of information you uncovered while working on this book?

CW: During world wars when fashionistas were subject to wearing military uniforms, clothes coupons and rationing, not only of food but also of diamonds and precious metals, designers skillfully made limited pieces of metal look large and luxurious turning to chunky semi-precious stones, being imported from Brazil, to satisfy a woman's desire for jewelry to wear at the new form of entertainment—the Cocktail Hour. I think that illustrates how women will always find a way to incorporate jewelry into their wardrobe and how life enhancing a beautiful jewel can be.