i’m always interested in the fringe of fashion, and as biographies go, patricia corbett’s ‘the life and works of a master jeweler’; the story of fulco di verdura (1898 - 1978) reads like some romantic work of fiction from the evergreen who’s-who of 1930’s america. born with a head start into sicilian nobility, he acquired the patronage and friendship of the illustrious linda & cole porter who introduced him to coco chanel, he had a fruitful working relationship with her and eventually became the head of chanel jewellery. he only later opened his own salon in 1939 with the help of the porters and vincent astor; he collaborated with dali, made friends and followers amongst the notoriously fickle hollywood silver screen set; garbo, crawford, dietrich and even endeared himself to diana vreeland and cecil beaton, who described him with ‘a heart of gold, and a tongue of quicksilver.’ babe paley, slim keith and millicent rodgers became friends and clients, further adding to his social stature.
of course, all of the above would not have happened if his mix of personality, passion and talent had not performed at the opportunity. while i greatly admire his designs done for chanel especially the iconic byzantine inspired cross motif, and also his nautical and other naturalistic designs; the cultural and natural references in his work intrigues me most and besides, his life’s story makes for most elegant entertainment…
