1990s Chanel Brooch 1995 Fall Pin Goossens Gripoix Cross Leather Strass Pendant

Description

A vintage brooch that can also be worn as a pendant. From the fall 1995 collection by Karl Lagerfeld and … more A vintage brooch that can also be worn as a pendant. From the fall 1995 collection by Karl Lagerfeld and Victoria Castellini

This rare brooch features a cross for using neatly arranged geometric shapes of colorful gripoix, sparkling strass pearls, signature intertwined black leather birder and heavy gold plating.

From the 1995 Fall Collection designed by Victoire de Castellane under Karl Lagerfeld
Made by Robert Goossens
Gripoix in square form in Green, red, purple, blue and yellow
24K heavy gold plating
Closes with pin and hook safety clasp
Converts to a pendant by the hook
Measures: 2.5 x 2.5 inch
Signature cartouche on reverse
Purchase includes signature box
Made in France

The legendary Coco Chanel was a champion of costume jewellery mixing fine and costume pieces together. She was one of the most influential fashion icons of all time. During a very brief career as a cabaret singer, Chanel performed in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where she was nicknamed “Coco.” Chanel jewellery is generally bold in design, gold or silver plated with distinctive colouring. Her iconic CC's seen on so many of her creations was an interpretation of a stained glass window in the Aubazine Abbey, Correze, in France where she spent her early years in the orphanage at Aubazin.

By 1995 good taste, which had always been associated with the house of Chanel, was no longer an immutable quality. Karl Lagerfeld liked it that way. No one seemed to enjoy pushing good taste to the edge of bad more, and he had a field day with this push and pull at his fall 1995 show. Models, teetering on Frederick’s of Hollywood–style platform sandals with spike heels, wore deconstructions of the classics. Abbreviated-midriff baring jackets weren’t all that shocking, but skirts with slits and zips designed to reveal matching tweed panties were piquant. Cheekier still were the bedazzled bras and thongs worn as bikinis or under fine black knits that hardly inhibited their sparkle. Corselet-like inserts on suits and as waistbands on skirts further played on the lingerie theme.

That Lagerfeld was playing a game was suggested by his use of synthetics. Double C’s were appliquéd on clear totes; cellophane was used as a headdress; and a maxi-size Chanel bag, the pièce de résistance, was made of Astroturf. less