Milky Way Jewels Miriam Haskell

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MIRIAM HASKELL
One of the great innovators and designers of costume jewelry was Miriam Haskell. She was born in 1899 and, like Coco Chanel and Hattie Carnegie, she began her career selling jewelry to complement high fashion clothing in an exclusive boutique. Established about 1924, Haskell's boutique was called "Le Bijou de l'Heure" and was located in the McAlpine Hotel in New York City. Haskell's principal designer and collaborator was Frank Hess. The jewelry they created together used Czech and Austrian glass stones, Japanese simulated pearls, and other materials such as wood, coral, and early plastics. Handmade from quality materials in creative and original designs, Haskell pieces were always expensive, appealing to the wealthy and to many celebrities. The business expanded from the original limited boutique sales and became known as Miriam Haskell Co., wholesaling jewelry for national distribution. Before 1947 Haskell jewelry was rarely signed. In 1952 Ms. Haskell passed the management of her firm to her younger brother, Joseph Haskell. Frank Hess remained as the principal designer until 1954. The company has changed hands two more times since then, and still continues in business to this day.