Costume jewelry has a long, glamorous history, born from the desire to express luxury and creativity without using precious stones or metals. Over the decades, particular costume jewelry brands have emerged as trailblazers, influencing costume jewelry with their bold designs, innovative materials, and unique visions. From Hollywood glamour to avant-garde fashion, these designers have left an indelible mark on accessories. Here are our picks for the 15 most influential costume jewelry designers who have forever shaped the jewelry industry. Did your favourite make our list?
Top Custom Jewelry Brands
Coco Chanel
No list of influential jewelry designers would be complete without Coco Chanel. In the 1920s, Chanel democratized jewelry by making costume pieces a staple of high fashion. Her use of faux pearls, chains, and bold designs made costume jewelry fashionable rather than a mere imitation of fine jewelry. Chanel believed jewelry should be essential to a woman's wardrobe, and her iconic designs remain timeless.
Elsa Schiaparelli
Elsa Schiaparelli, a true avant-garde artist, blended fashion and art to create daring and surreal jewelry. Collaborating with artists like Salvador Dalí, she created pieces that pushed boundaries, incorporating unexpected materials and motifs. Her bold, whimsical designs from the 1930s are still coveted by collectors today and have had a lasting impact on jewelry design.
Kenneth Jay Lane
Known as the "King of Costume Jewellery," Kenneth Jay Lane revolutionized the industry with his glamorous yet affordable pieces. His jewelry was beloved by celebrities like Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, making high-end style accessible to the masses. Lane's use of crystals, pearls, and gold-plated metals continues to inspire contemporary designers.
Miriam Haskell
Intricacy and elegance define Miriam Haskell's designs. Her jewelry was hand-made using a variety of materials such as glass beads, pearls, and filigree. Known for her feminine and floral designs, Hollywood stars often wore Haskell's pieces in the 1940s and 1950s. Her vintage collections are highly collectible and admired for their artistry and craftsmanship.
Trifari
Trifari became one of the most prominent names in costume jewelry during the early 20th century. The brand was known for its craftsmanship and signature pieces like the "Crown Trifari" brooches. With designs often made of sterling silver and rhinestones, Trifari's sophisticated and high-quality pieces were adored by the fashion-forward for decades.
Erickson Beamon
Founded in the 1980s, Erickson Beamon brought theatricality and opulence to costume jewelry. Known for their bold, statement pieces, this NY brand's intricate designs mix distinct elements like crystals, pearls, and metals. Favoured by celebrities and designers, Erickson Beamon's pieces are often seen on fashion runways and red carpets, pushing the boundaries of jewellery design.
Tom Binns
A pioneer in rebellious jewelry design, Tom Binns is known for his unconventional approach to costume jewelry. His pieces often mix high and low elements, juxtaposing luxury with punk-inspired aesthetics. Tom Binns jewelry often challenges the norms of jewelry design, embracing asymmetry, irreverence, and raw beauty. His influence continues to shape modern jewelry design, especially in avant-garde fashion circles.
Swarovski (Atelier Swarovski)
While Swarovski is known for its sparkling crystals, Atelier Swarovski took the brand to the next level by collaborating with some of the biggest names in fashion, design, and art. By working with designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Zaha Hadid, Atelier Swarovski became a powerhouse in costume jewelry, pushing the boundaries of crystal design and innovation. The brand's focus on sustainability has also made it a leader in eco-conscious luxury.
Alexis Bittar
Known for his bold use of Lucite and metalwork, Alexis Bittar has transformed modern costume jewelry with his sculptural, edgy designs. His pieces often mix minimalism and glamour, appealing to a younger, fashion-forward audience. The fashion elite has embraced Bittar's collections and has contributed to making costume jewelry an essential part of modern fashion.
Iosselliani
Italian brand Iosselliani has become synonymous with eclectic, artistic jewelry that combines traditional techniques and modern aesthetics. Known for its use of mixed materials like semi-precious stones, chains, and metal, Iosselliani jewelry designs blend craftsmanship with contemporary fashion, creating pieces that are both timeless and trendsetting.
Hattie Carnegie
Hattie Carnegie was a pioneer in 20th-century fashion, and her costume jewelry line reflected her signature blend of glamour and sophistication. Known for her use of bold colours and innovative materials, her jewelry was adored by fashion-conscious women from the 1930s to the 1950s. Carnegie's pieces are highly collectible today, cherished for their elegance and charm.
Napier
For much of the 20th century, Napier was a leading name in American costume jewelry. Known for its versatility and quality, Napier created everything from classic gold-tone designs to bold, modernist pieces. Their jewelry was popular for its affordability and high-quality craftsmanship, making it a staple for women across America.
Monet
Monet became famous for its timeless, everyday costume jewelry. Founded in 1929, Monet's designs often featured gold and silver-tone metals, rhinestones, and enamel. Known for their durability and elegance, Monet's pieces were beloved by women who wanted stylish, affordable jewelry that stood the test of time.
Alan Anderson
Alan Anderson is a Canadian jewelry designer known for his luxurious and bold costume jewelry pieces. Based in Toronto, Anderson’s designs often feature oversized stones, crystals, and intricate detailing. Celebrities have worn his creations and featured in numerous fashion magazines, making him a prominent name in costume jewelry. Anderson’s work celebrates glamour and opulence, nodding to vintage styles, often making his pieces statement-makers on red carpets and special events.
Les Bernard
Founded in the 1960s, Les Bernard was a game-changer in costume jewelry. Known for their innovative use of materials and fashion-forward designs, Les Bernard created pieces often featured on runways and in high-end fashion magazines. The brand pushed the boundaries of costume jewelry, combining bold aesthetics with high-quality craftsmanship.
These top costume jewelry brands have left an undeniable mark on the history of costume jewelry, influencing how we think about fashion and accessories. Whether through bold artistic expression or making luxury accessible, these designers elevated costume jewelry to an art form, turning it into a key element of personal style. Their work continues to inspire new generations of jewelry lovers and designers alike.
