Miriam Haskell has a special place among all famous Costume Jewelry designers. She was born in America in a small town in Indiana on July 1, 1899. The family had many children, they lived very modestly, their parents had a small shop. Miriam had to acquire skills for work since childhood, which later helped her to become one of the first women who built her own business.
In 1924, she went to New York in order to turn her ideas into reality. Here, in 1926, she opened a small souvenir shop selling the costume jewelry she had created. Its title was Le Bijou de L heure, or Jewels of Time.
Thus began the history of bijouterie - jewelry that was destined for a long life. Jewelery made of non-precious stones and metals has become timeless jewels. In terms of importance, they have become one step with jewelry.
Miriam Haskell wanted to make costume jewelry an indispensable accessory in clothing that is as prestigious as real jewelry.
Miriam has created stunning pieces of jewelry that appeal to women from all walks of life. The items were of unusual design, embellished with pearls, turquoise, corals, rhinestones, shells, Bakelite, with a metal base of copper and brass.
It is also important that she managed to create a team of enthusiastic creative people with great artistic talents. Frank Hess, a jewelry designer, has worked with her for many years. It was he who created the corporate identity of the Miriam Haskell brand, in which each piece of jewelry is a reflection of the designer's skill. All compositions of jewelry are quite complex, every detail is thought out.
Each collection had three directions - evening, cocktail and daytime jewelry. The most expensive were, of course, evening, followed by cocktail and daytime.
Miriam Haskell had a talent for entrepreneurship, and she had a load of business relationships and responsibilities. Undoubtedly, she had some creative work in creating magnificent jewelry, but it is thanks to the talent of Frank Hess, this extraordinary designer, that today we can continue to admire the amazing jewelry of that time.
Hess created stylish products, used glass, rhinestones, imitation pearls, Murano glass, Czech beads, enamel, gilded items, and during the Second World War - plastic and wood. The bracelet, necklaces and earrings were sometimes made in a heraldic style, one could even read Latin phrases on them.
The company was a success with the public, boutiques were opened in large shopping centers and in different cities of the states, and then in other countries. Jewelry was made by hand, and therefore they are still unique examples of jewelry art today.
In the 30s, many celebrities knew about Miriam Haskell, she was a success with the most high-ranking persons, who over time accumulated priceless collections of her products. Many Hollywood actresses and women of secular society during these years constantly flashed in photographs, films, magazines and newspapers in her jewelry.
Thanks to talent Frank Hess and business qualities of Miriam Haskell since the 30s, the brand has become widely known among high society clients not only in America but also in Europe. In addition, the economic crisis that seized many countries in those years contributed to the development of the brand, because many beauties could not buy real diamonds, but you can decorate yourself with “pebbles and glass”, which are so similar to royal stones.
In 1950, Miriam's health deteriorated so much that she had to sell the company to her brother Joseph. At that time, many people talked about Miriam's mental deviation. For almost 30 years she lived under the care of her relatives, and at the age of 82 she died.
The company was briefly under the control of Miriam's brother, who soon sold it too. And Frank Hess remained its chief designer until 1960. The owners and designers of the company have changed, but even today, Miriam Haskell jewelry remains at a high level, items from the 40s and 50s are especially valued - vintage jewelry that is very expensive.
It should be noted that Miriam Haskell jewelry from the time when she herself owned the company was rarely signed. Some of them still manage to prove their authenticity through reference books, advertising or other technical documents. After the 50s, Joseph Haskell introduced labeling to products.
Miriam Haskell still exists today. Products of this brand since the 20s have been considered synonymous with the highest taste and style. Every new piece of jewelery created these days continues to reaffirm the company's stellar reputation, and as before, the pieces are handcrafted.
