Welcome Inside the Jewel Vault! In this episode I ask the jewellery experts’ expert, Vivienne Becker, to select pieces from her life and career to put inside her fantasy Jewel Vault, ultimately choosing that one special treasure to keep safe forever.
Vivienne is a world authority on jewellery history and design, as well as a leading author and journalist, and she’s encountered a vast array of jewels and designers throughout her 40 year career. She is my personal jewellery hero – when I embarked on my jewellery career over 30 years ago, it was her book that guided me, and I still avidly look to her to learn from – so I was quite star struck to have a conversation with her. I wondered what pieces would someone of her status and discernment choose?
Just as I had hoped, thanks to her superb eye for talent, trend and outstanding design, Vivienne’s fantasy vault is a sumptuous treat of virtuoso jewels. Vivienne also knows everyone who is anyone and it’s fascinating to listen to her describe the warm and supportive friendships she enjoys with the personalities behind the pieces. Vivienne offers so much to learn and wonder at in her selection, but for me, the magic of this podcast is in Vivienne’s final choice - heart-warming, inspiring and meaningful.
Guest Bio: Since working for an antiques jewellery dealer as a teenager, Vivienne was hooked as much by the personalities of the trade as the jewels themselves. She became a journalist specialising in jewellery and wrote her first book in 1980, “Antique and Twentieth Century Jewellery”, which is held as the standard work on the topic and has been reprinted many times. She has written 15 other volumes including one with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and contributed to many more. Her print and online articles on everyone from Laurence Graff to Rene Lalique are commissioned by the top titles of the world’s press. For 4 decades, Vivienne has curated exhibitions, judged awards and lectured, mentored young designers, guided connoisseurs, and educated the lay reader. http://www.viviennebecker.com/
I want to hear from you! What special treasures would you put into your fantasy jewel vault, and why? Every so often I’ll compile your stories into a podcast of their own. To get in touch with me and also to access show notes and images, go to: https://www.juraster.com/blogs/insidethejewelvault/inside-the-jewel-vault-with-vivienne-becker
Produced by Lizzie Wingham. Engineered by Asa Bennett.
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