Vintage Interpretations
Our bead study group is about to embark on a new series of studies involving bead weaving interpretations of vintage costume jewelry of the 1920’s thru 1950’s.
Walid is a contemporary jewelry designer I came across while researching materials for our new study unit. He’s very into the interpreting of vintage approach, using bead embroidery, beaded fringe, lace applique.
Walid for CoutureLab
When interpreting vintage pieces, it is important to understand the materials, and their contribution to the success of the piece. You would probably want to use Czech seed beads, rather than Japanese, because the Czech seed beads are more irregular. They would convey a more hand-done, rather than machine-done, sensibility to your piece. You might rely on hand-cut beads rather than pressed glass, and older color palettes, rather than new ones, for similar reasons.
Walid for CoutureLab
Historically, people wore jewelry for many reasons. This included mourning, commemoration, fun, and imitating fine jewelry.
What were the goals of vintage styles?
– appreciation of hand craft
– to be “wealthy” was to be “elegant”
– decadence
– class distinctions
– eccentricy
Walid for CoutureLab
People today are attracted to vintage pieces, because these pieces demonstrated great “hand” skill. Working in vintage styles feels a lot like recapturing lost treasures. These proven vintage styles seem to transcend fashion. Wearing vintage jewelry always makes the wearer feel very special because these are always conversation pieces.
So, here were are trying to restore life to forgotten styles. We want to try to be unique in a cookie cutter era.
Walid for CoutureLab
Walid for CoutureLab
Some links of interest:
http://www.couturelab.com/editorial/story-walid.heml#1
Learn To Bead 
