Miriam Haskell’s first boutique, The McAlpin Hotel, New York City, c1926
Magpie Vintage owe’s so much to Miriam Haskell. Her designs were far ahead of their time, worn today they still create a stir in being totally unique and inventive. Worn regularly by celebrities and gentry Haskell pieces are remain in the spot light nearly 90 years on.
I’m lucky to own a few rare piece’s, now a days her original pieces are few and far between. Being inspired by such rare talent has its ups and downs, her beaded details and attention to detail time consuming and lengthy to achieve the desired outcome. Our jewellery collection is a tribute to Haskell and the bones of were we began nearly 10 years ago. I only hope our piece’s will be worn with such pride in years to come
TOMORROW’S COLLECTIBLES, TODAY. Almost unheard of in today’s marketplace, Miriam Haskell’s creations are still made entirely by hand. The value of a Miriam Haskell piece was and still is a reflection of this workmanship and meticulous detail. Each bead, each crystal, each pearl is picked up by hand, hand-wired to an intricate brass filigree backing, and ultimately backed to a second filigree, concealing any trace of its construction. One piece may take as long as three days to create.
ANYTHING CHIC. ALL THINGS GLAM. An authentic desire to create the impossible. Miriam Haskell was elegant. She knew how to entertain. Her friends were “the” New York and Hollywood glitterati. Many were in theatre and film, and they appreciated her clever, eccentric manner. Fame was not foreign to her, nor was it something to which she aspired. She designed it.
BORN IN 1899, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE ART NOUVEAU VANGUARD,
she was one of four children, and the daughter of small-town merchants in New Albany, Indiana. Some 30 years later, Miriam Haskell would have tea with Coco Chanel while selecting the upcoming season’s beads at Madame Gripoix’s- the finest source in Paris. While Miriam would bring her young design artist, Frank Hess, Chanel was alone. They would talk. Share ideas. Trade fashion celeb secrets. They were among a new class: independent women who began their careers designing jewellery to complement high fashion clothing in an exclusive boutique.
MIRIAM HASKELL OPENED HER FIRST BOUTIQUE IN 1926, “LE BIJOU DE L’HEURE” IN NEW YORK”S McALPIN HOTEL. She created collections for the society women of her day, the lavish productions of Flo Ziegfeld, as well as the couture of Coco Chanel. Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball, the Duchess of Windsor, to name a few, were among her greatest patrons. It wasn’t long before her spectacular, custom-made jewels were sought after, collected and cherished. If history is any indication of the value of a Miriam Haskell piece, today’s collection promises continued appreciation be it at an auction house, by chic women throughout the world or simply by generations to come.
Magpie Vintage 