An Art Book - Fashion for Jewels

Event Details

FREE - Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Carol Woolton, jewelry editor of British Vogue and a leading international authority on jewelry and Ward Landrigan, the owner of Verdura jewelry brand and ex-Sotheby's jewelry specialist, present and discuss how the worlds of fashion and jewelry have become increasingly integrated over the last century, and the merging history of fashion and jewelry trends from Louis Cartier store opening in 1898 to the major influences of art, architecture and cinema on jewelry designs.

From the corset-bound silhouettes of the turn of the century, with their elegant drop earrings and delicate chokers, to the free-flowing kaftans of the 1970s, adorned with chunky, earthy bangles and beads— major trends and designers are featured in Carol Woolton’s book Fashion for Jewels: 100 Years of Styles and Icons that offer endlessly fascinating and informative texts and illustrations. Profiles of icons from Coco Chanel and Harry Winston to Princess Diana and Michelle Obama reveal the interplay of personality and history in the world of fashion. Gorgeous photography from the archives of Condé Nast, Sotheby’s, and many fine jewelers bring precious metal and twinkling gems to glorious life on the pages of this book.

Copies of Fashion for Jewels are available for purchase and signing at the event.

Before joining British Vogue Carol Woolton was Tatler Magazine's first jewelry editor. She has written widely on antique and contemporary jewelry for publications such as The Financial Times, London Times, the Daily Telegraph and Spectator Magazine.  Combining her passion for jewels and gems with fashion, she has worked as a style commentator for the BBC and frequently travels using her expertise as a judge on international jewelry shows.  She works with The Arts Foundation, Goldsmith's Hall and The Jerwood Foundation, giving awards to young jewelers and craftsmen and women, and visits the Royal College of Art each year to award the Theo Fennell Prize for Excellence to graduate students.

Celebrated jewelry expert and historian, Ward Landrigan, Chariman and CEO, is the co-owner of Verdura along with his son, Nico Landrigan. His interest in jewelry began in high school when he interned for a local jeweler and continued with his studies at the Courtauld Institute of Fine Arts in London and the Gemological Institute of America. He started his career at Sotheby’s auction house where, by age 24, he was head of the jewelry department.

Ward Landrigan first heard Verdura’s name when he did an appraisal for Lily Pons in Texas in 1965. He was immediately drawn to the innate style and artistry of a particular piece: a shooting star set with pavé diamonds. When he left Sotheby’s in 1973 to form his own estate jewelry business, he bought and sold pieces from many of the world’s great jewelry designers. Nevertheless, Verdura remained his favorite.

After Fulco di Verdura sold his business to his long-time partner Joseph Alfano in 1973, Ward approached Mr. Alfano about purchasing the company. Eleven years later, Mr. Alfano agreed. Today, Ward and his son, Nico, continue to produce new product from the archive of Verdura’s 10,000 original designs. They also maintain an estate jewelry collection, a legacy of the company Ward founded prior to purchasing Verdura. 

In its second season the program series An Art Book, initiated and organized by Arezoo Moseni, is a celebration of the essential importance and beauty of art books. The events showcase book presentations and discussions by world renowned and emerging artists, critics, curators, designers, historians and writers.