Fashion imposed on costume dictates and reflects the changes and concerns of a society in any one place at any one time. During the 15th and 16th century in Italy an outpouring of art and economic growth was reflected in the textiles worn. There were rich tapestries, brocades with gold thread and the legendary cloth [...]

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When people today talk about jewels, jewellery, gemmology and gems it is clear the vocabulary has become confused. Gemstones are treasured minerals found in the earth. ‘Gems’ are the objects fashioned from them. Jewels are gem ready for mounting into jewellery and other objects of art. And, jewellery – it is the finished product that if its designer from Cupid to Cartier has succeeded, adorns its wearer well.

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Costume remains both a changing and eternal form of human expression. The androgynous, yet sexy, woman of the 1920′s enjoyed heavy make up in the form of bright red lipstick, white powdered and heavy black pencil strokes around the eyes. It gave her face an exotic, mysterious appearance enhanced by a soft cloche hat worn [...]

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Costume encompasses all we wear, including jewellery, hats, gloves, shoes, accessories and the previously unmentionable undergarments.  Fashion is imposed on costume, dictating and reflecting the changes and concerns of a society in any one place at any one time. Costume projects our beliefs both religious and spiritual, while aesthetically conveying an image purely for purposes [...]

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There are many theories on the origins of costume, which can be viewed as distinct from clothing. One could say clothing has to do with covering the body to protect it for purposes of modesty, extremes of natural elements or a physical reason, such as protective clothing for industry or engaging in warfare. Costume encompasses [...]

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I am an Englishman, and naked I stand here, Musing in my mind what raiment I shall wear, For now I will wear this, and now I will wear that; Now I will wear I cannot tell what. All new fashions be pleasant to me; I will have them, whether I thrive or thee Sartorial [...]

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If you bring both gold and precious or semi precious stones together skilfully a add a dash of passion, smidgen of sentiment, make them expressive of romance as well as symbolic of true love then you have a ‘tour de force’, a triumph of Cupid’s D’art Love Jewellery, Rome to Renaissance

An important aspect of every human society yet recorded is a belief that gold and gemstones had an enormous effect on the affairs of many. This has not been limited to any age or culture some of the first tokens of human affection were worn as treasured souvenirs.

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French painter François Boucher (1703-1770) produced many of the images that we have of the enigmatic Jeanne Antoinette, Marquise de Pompadour, Maîtresse-en-titre, or the official Mistress of Louis XV of France.

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Costume is, and remains an important footnote to culture. It is both a changing and eternal form of human expression. In the new English series Downton Abbey, which we recently reviewed, the costumes for both men and women are truly superb, mostly tailor made for its bevvy of actors both upstairs and down.

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