Collier Art | Valentina Cirasola | Designer

What is a Collier? It is an old French word that usually refers to a piece of bulky and imposing jewelry necklace.
Not too long ago, a collier was worn together with earrings, a bracelet, and a ring all in the same style and colors, with the same precious stones. This coordinated ensemble was called a Parure.
Women wearing a parure wanted to show off the family wealth, their knowledge of fashion and appear well put together. I am sure the Queen of England has many parures in her secured vaults.
The social revolution of the ’60s pushed away many strict dressing rules, the matchy-matchy jewelry was one of those rules and in fact, today matching everything to the letter is considered a bit of a kitschy custom.

Seven years ago, I created my own line of custom-made colliers with colorful yarn. Just as always happens, I make something for me and wear it, then people want it. I remember a funny episode that happened to me in the street. A woman spotted me because I was wearing a very extravagant collier, she followed me to a cafe’.
I noticed her in the street following me and noticed her in the cafe’ staring at me, but I really didn’t want to make any fuss, until she asked permission to sit with me. She introduced herself and asked me at once where I had bought that piece of decoration hanging from my neck that really struck her fancy. To make a long story short, she bought it literally from my neck and left my outfit undecorated. In my purse, I carry the square device to take credit card payments, just in case I meet impulsive buyers like her and the purchase was made. She became my best client.

In my creations with yarn, fabrics, beads, glass and various embellishments my neckwarmers look like jeweled colliers and have two functions: keep the neck warm and embellish the clothes.
It is a nice alternative to a scarf, a fun and colorful way to play with accessories.

(Click on each photo to view it larger).

©Colliers Collection by Valentina Cirasola

Every year I produce fun pieces, they don’t’ stay in y stock for very long. Now, I present my colliers at trade fairs and various exhibitions. Link to Etsy if you want to see what I do. Ciao,
Valentina
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ValentinaExpressions

Valentina Cirasola is a trained fashion-interior designer and author, born in Italy in a family of artists. Style surrounded her since the beginning of her life. Her many years of experience led her to offer consultations in both specializations and now she can remodel homes as well as personal images. She is passionate about colors and encourages her clients to express their individual style in their homes and with the clothes they wear. She is the forthcoming author of a book on fashion subject: ©So Chic, So Stylish, due to be published March 2020. Get a copy of her books here: Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w