To Wear or Not to Wear? The Women Who Dared to Parade Réne Lalique’s Jewellery

Abstract

Since 1895, when René Lalique (1860-1945) first exhibited his jewellery in Paris, some of his creations were perceived as eccentric museum pieces and considered unwearable by some critics. More than a century later, the same question still stands about these jewels: were they wearable or not? Although they frequently resemble works of art that should be displayed in a museum, these pieces were actually made to be worn, but not by just anyone. In this sense, the aim of our essay is to reflect upon the wearers of these jewels, namely the women who dared to display them on their apparel. By categorising them in separate groups, we intend to understand who wore Lalique’s jewellery and what connection they had with their pieces. This will allow us to better understand the importance of the wearer in the reading and study of jewellery.