One vintage costume jewellery designer that has garnered a massive following and almost, a kind of reverence from collectors is Stanley Hagler. Like Sherman and Haskell, pieces by Hagler always command a high price or got a good price at auctions. It wasn’t until I first tried on one of his necklaces that I really appreciated the skill and sheer artistry of his work.
His use of beautifully collared pearls in stunning flowery motifs is outstanding. Necklaces, earrings, parures, bangle-bracelets … all just amazing. It was interesting also to read in that book that one of Hagler’s friends remarked that he’d never succeed as a jewellery designer. That just motivated Hagler all the more and he declared that he would design something “fit for a queen”. And so he did.
“His first piece was designed for the woman whose husband famously gave up the British throne for her; the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson” Stanley Hagler sent her a glorious pink, blue, green flower covered bangle that she loved so much she became “the first of a long and illustrious line of clients”.
We at Birdy Num Num have been lucky to find some Stanley Hagler. Just take a look, you will see what I mean, the workmanship is incredible. How many hours of work must go into a simple brooch, wiring all those beads together? The backs of Hagler’s jewellery are as intricate as the fronts.
The first piece we sold was to a lady who needed something for a reception she had to attend with her husband. She was genuinely nervous, she tried a few necklaces on then we tried a Hagler necklace on her. Her whole demeanour transformed, a bright confident woman shone through, “I know I can walk into that room now , thank you Stanley!”
It really is amazing what jewellery can do!

I love  Mulberry’s shoe boutique featured in instyle this week. The Spring/Summer show had a fabulous balloon filled  backdrop inspired by fairgrounds featuring this seasons shoes and handbags.  As usual filled with celebrities endorsing their products. This season we can snap up the Alexa bag (named for one Ms Alexa Chung, of course). As my lip curled at the thought of being  told to be inspired by yet another celebrity, I have to remember I still yearn for my old favourite the Kelly bag.  If  I go out with a beautiful vintage bag the comments I get  tend to be more along the lines of ,” wow,  how gorgeous and interesting” (sadly the bag not me) rather than “God you must be minted, you can buy dinner.”

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The Mad Men series on AMC has brought about a fashion craze returning the HOT look of the 60’s to today’s fashions. I think we reflect this with our hot new 60’s bags.

Writers tell you there are only three stories in the world:
well, as a buyer of vintage fashion, I can assure you that is simply not true. Every bag I have bought comes with a tale to tell. Some I can only surmise- the 80’s clutch would have enjoyed an evening being danced around to the tunes of the likes of Wham and A Ha; the beautiful tango purses from the 1920’s would have witnessed the flamboyant parties of the time; the 1940’s bags holding the letters from their owners’ loved ones fighting in the war.
I was introduced to a lady of Kensington recently. She was a sprightly, bright-eyed woman in her 80’s. We took tea with madeira cake (I had 3 slices) in her kitchen and she regaled me with stories of her holidays on the cruise liners in the 1950’s.
Every evening there was a party and one could never wear the same dress twice. She had kept every dress, every accessory, all of which was stored in a cupboard in the spare room. It was all in immaculate condition. One could only marvel at the workmanship of the ball gowns, every bead sewn on by hand and the detail and delicacy in the design of the bags were second to none. One of the bags I bought from her is an Asprey bag from the 1940’s . An exquisite patent leather bag, it was her mothers. She never had children, so had no one to hand it down to. It is up on the website waiting for a new owner to take it to a party and be glamorous again.

Well , we only have one more week of our summer sale, so hurry up!