Recreating Jewelry for a Costume Collector
How we got started on this project
Carole Lombard wearing the beaded gown designed by Travis Bantron - Universal Studios
Carole Lombard, a true Hollywood legend owned a stunning 152 carat star sapphire brooch.
Carole Lombard (born Jane Alice Peters; October 6, 1908 – January 16, 1942) was an American film actress. She was particularly noted for her energetic, often offbeat roles in the screwball comedies of the 1930s.
She was the highest-paid star in Hollywood in the late 1930s.
Lombard owned a fabulous 152 carat star sapphire brooch. She wore this brooch in the film classic “My Man Godfrey.” Larry McQueen, owner of the costume from this film classic “My Man Godfrey” approach our studio to recreate the brooch for his collection.
“My Man Godfrey” is a movie that cannot be missed for the sheer sake of its deco style. The costume designer, the great Travis Banton truly capture the style of the 1930’s. Glamorous yet often understated, slinky and body conscious, and using the finest of fabrications such as feathers and satin to dress his stars...women like Mae West, Claudette Colbert, Marlene Dietrich, and Carole Lombard.
To compliment one of Banton’s gowns for the movie, Lombard selected her own brooch from her personal jewelry collection. She completed the costume with this stunning peice of Deco design.
The Commission
The Collection of Motion Picture Costume reached out to our studio to recreate this brooch for their collection. This commission was started right after we completed the Victorian Pendant that Ingrid Bergamn worn in the film Classic “Gaslight”.
This was the beginning of a wonderful working relationship with a world class costume collector. The research and design that went into this creation was both time consuming and rewarding. To continue the story select from the articles listed below.