Throughout history, flowers have been the inspiration for jewellers and the people who wore their creations. Gabrielle Chanel's favourite flower was the camellia and since the 1920s the flower has become incorporated into every aspect of the house's designs. Christian Dior favoured the lily of the valley and made it the centre of his 1954 collection. The rose de noel, which blooms in winter, has become synonymous with van Cleef and Arpel. This gorgeous volume highlights hundreds of examples of the finest floral jewellery ever made. Divided into four seasons — and the flowers that bloom in them — this book explores the history of flowers in the fine jewellery world and features dazzling illustrations, original sketches and gouache paintings showing how these blooms have been translated into pieces that are both priceless and ageless. The jewellery editor of British Vogue, Carol Woolton, offers expert insights into fashion history and trends. She explores the Belle Epoque, styles of the 1940s and the re-interpretations of iconic pieces. From original bejewelled botanical pieces by master jewellers such as Rene Lalique and Peter Carl Faberge, to the splendour of Cartier's orchids and fanciful imaginative flowers by contemporary designers such as Victoire de Castellane. The book also features magical floral pieces by Joel Arthur Rosenthal, acknowledged as the world's greatest jeweller, who has contributed a foreword for the book. These fanciful ornaments will entice collectors and dreamers alike.

In this lavishly illustrated book, a renowned editor at British Vogue examines the links between fashion and jewelry. For as long as we've been dressing ourselves, we've been adorning ourselves with embellishments for ears, hands, wrists, waist and fingers. And as fashion trends evolve, so do trends in jewellery. Here jewellery expert Carol Woolton demonstrates how the worlds of fashion and jewelry have become increasingly integrated over the last century. From the corset-bound silhouettes of the turn of the century, with their elegant drop earrings and delicate chokers, to the free-flowing kaftans of the 1970's, adorned with chunky, earthy bangles and beads-major trends and designers are featured in double-page spreads that offer endlessly fascinating and informative texts and illustrations. Profiles of icons from Coco Chanel and Harry Winston to Princess Diana and Michelle Obama reveal the interplay of personality and history in the world of fashion. And as jewellery from Chanel, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels and others was shown for the first time alongside haute couture in this year's Paris Fashion Week, Woolton explores how brands have made the most of this trend. Gorgeous photography from the archives of Conde Nast, Sotheby's, and many fine jewelers bring precious metal and twinkling gems to glorious life on the pages of this book.