Attention costume jewelry addicts: here’s one show you certainly won’t want to miss! The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is currently featuring the exhibit Fashion Jewelry: The Collection of Barbara Berger, which showcases over 450 pieces from her private collection over 1000 pieces gathered over her lifetime and carefully packaged, stored, and occasionally, even worn! Berger, who lives in Mexico with her husband, a jeweler by trade, explained during a press preview event that she never sought out particular pieces or brands; and just went on instinct and whatever caught her eye at flea markets during her travels and dealers that she works with.
Many of the pieces in the collection are one-of-a kind and grouped by both brand and theme (i.e, Chanel, aquatic, and insect-themed cases). Designers selected for this show, selected by guest curator Harrice Simons Miller (author and consultant of vintage and couture costume jewelry) include Miriam Haskell, Dior, Balenciaga, Chanel, and more, and what truly makes this exhibit unique that unlike many other, the focus is on costume, and not fine, jewelry.
See above and below for my pictures, which range from necklaces to earrings, broaches and bracelts, and by no means do not do it justice! If you can’t make the exhibit (which runs through September 22nd, 2013, pick up the gorgeous book by Assouline, which includes a forward written by one of my favorite fashion icons, Iris Apfel.
The MAD Museum is located at 2 Columbus Circle New York, NY 10019; see the website, MadMuseum.org for hours, and Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm is Pay-What-You-Wish!
