Museum of Arts and Design presents Fashion Jewelry. The Collection of Barbara Berger an exhibition on view June 25 – September 22, 2013.
Maison Gripoix (circa 2000), France Floral brooch. Simulated turquoise stones, simulated pearls, gold plated. © Pablo Esteva
Featuring over 450 pieces of fashion jewelry by designers such as Miriam Haskell, Marcel Boucher, Balenciaga, Kenneth Jay Lane, and Gripoix, this exhibition will be an eye-opening display of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, many of them one-of-a-kind, drawn from the world-renowned collection of Barbara Berger. The daughter of an American diamond merchant, Berger began her collection of some 3,000 bijoux de couture when she purchased a pair of Chanel earrings at a French flea market as a teenager and went on to assemble one of the largest and finest collections of couture jewelry in the world.
Many of the works were expressly made to be worn with haute couture clothing by fashion designers that range from Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent, and Dior to Dolce & Gabbana. The Berger collection and this exhibition are virtual encyclopedias of this exciting and provocative era of fashion history. The exhibition also underscores the continuing popularity of couture jewelry today through stellar contemporary works.
The exhibition is accompanied by a major publication on the Berger collection published by Assouline, with essays by fashion guru Iris Apfel, and by jewelry historian Harrice Simons Miller. The publication will be available at The Store at MAD. A wide range of educational programs will accompany the exhibition, including lectures and panel discussions, designer-led exhibition tours, and hands-on jewelry workshops and demonstrations in MAD’s 6th floor Open Studios.
The exhibition was organized by David McFadden, William and Mildred Lasdon Chief Curator at the Museum of Arts and Design, in collaboration with jewelry historian Harrice Simons Miller, as guest curator. www.madmuseum.org