Count Fulco Di Verdura: Iconic Jewels

That's So New York - Coco Chanel in the 1930's hired a young designer of Italian aristocracy, named Count Fulco Di Verdura to do textiles for her. She and he soon found that his strengths as a designer lie elsewhere, namely jewelry. Chanel had her opulent pieces of jewels reworked into what would become classic symbols which endure today. The famous Byzantine cross studded with multi-colored gemstones was born from the creative minds of Chanel in collaboration with Verdura. Coco famously wore, on each wrist, the cuff bracelets from the Byzantine collection. Word spread of Verdura's talents and soon Hollywood was knocking on his door to have him design his one of a kind bespoke pieces. Eventually he settled in New York City and remained there for the next 30 years, designing pieces for high society.

Diana Vreeland, the famous flamboyant Vogue magazine editor wore two Verdura cuffs, one on each wrist, just as Chanel had. After conquering Paris, Hollywood and New York, Verdura sold his company and retired to London in 1973. Today the Verdura legacy continues. Spring 2011, brings the most recent addition to the Byzantine collection. The convertible pendant/brooch. With the addition of a chain, one has the option of wearing the piece as a necklace. Studded with semi- precious stones and centered with a black spinel, the Byzantine cross makes a bold fashion statement. Paired as a pendant with an all white ensemble or worn as a brooch with a dramatic black dress, Verdura's timeless appeal is evident. See More: Verdura - Contributor - Maryanne DiMatteo