Mesmerized by… Minaudière

Art Deco Costumes (French). George Barbier. 1924.

 

A balmy night in the Roaring 20’s. She is wanting to flap and dance and set her silk tassles rippling. As she finishes her cupid’s bow she  pouts in the window at her reflection. Dark doe eyes glisten with anticipation. She gathers her crimson lipstick, alabaster powder and cigarettes. A cumbersome bag will weigh her down. The empty cigarette tin on the dresser catches her eye.

The night is hers- or so she thinks…

Actually the night was Van Cleef & Arpels.

Jeweller Charles Arpels spots Florence Jay Gould retrieving her scarlet lipstick for reapplication from the Lucky Strike tin. Bemused by the receptacle and it’s unlikely contents the “minaudière” is invented. The rest is history.

Far from cumbersome, it’s designed to be a miniature glistening bijoux.

Sparkle, Dance and Enchant. 

Mesmerizing!

Judith Leiber. Interior of Minaudière.

Valentino Fall 2013.

Valentino Fall 2013

Judith Leiber. Ladybug Minaudiere.

Art Deco Costumes (French). George Barbier. 1924.

Christian Louboutin. Mina spiked metallic leather clutch.

Lanvin Hard Shell Minaudiere. 2013.

Rafe. Sirene Minaudiere. Summer 2013.

Alexander McQueen

Romeo. Clara Kasavina

Siena Minaudiere. Clara Kasavina.

Lytton Metallic Snake-Embossed Minaudiere, Silver. Diana von Furstenberg. 2013.

 

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