Diamantes are made from a colourless paste and were used to decorated inexpensive costume jewellery to give the look of diamonds. Originally viewed as a cheap imitation of the real thing, costume jewellery came into its own in the 1920s when top fashion designers including Chanel began to include pieces in their collections. A glamour mood returned to fashion in mid 1994, partly in response to the retro 1970s trend with its emphasis on silver but also in reponse to the 1930s bias cut slip dresses that became so popular during the year. To accessorize this more glamorous look there has been a resurgence of interest in diamante jewellery.

This bangle was purchased to accessorize the Moschino outfit selected for the 1994 Powerhouse Museum/Sydney Morning Herald Fashion of the Year program. It was worn by a model at the Fashion of the Year presentation on February 6 1995.
The bangle was purchased by the museum from Kimberley Smith a retail outlet for jewellery in Melbourne. The shop is owned and run by Connie Kimberley and Liz Rice. Every year they travel to the USA to select pieces for the shop. They come to Sydney twice a year and sell through a room at the Ritz Carlton in Double Bay.

Bracelet, metal/diamante, Felicity, USA, 1994.
Flexible bracelet in art deco style set with square and rectangular diamantes of various sizes.

Designed: Felicity; New York, USA

Made: Felicity; New York, USA; 1994


Used: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences; Sydney

Owned: Kimberley Smith; Melbourne, Victoria

95/71/4

70 mm