The Extraordinary Details Edit

Gripoix is the poured glass paste technique used by Maison Gripoix in Paris, and Chanel has used it in costume jewelry for decades. The pins, brooches, necklaces and earrings here show the colors and shapes.

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Gold Filigree & Multicolor Gripoix Necklace, the Chanel Gold & Multicolored Gripoix 'CC' Pin and the Chanel Multicolor Gold Gripoix Brooch.

A Gripoix brooch on a tweed jacket is how I would start. For more Chanel, see The Collectible Chanel Edit.

Beadwork and embroidery are the clearest signs of handwork. Fendi's embellished Baguette, Dior's embroidered totes and Judith Leiber's crystal minaudières are the best examples here. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Fendi Multicolor Leather Embellished Baguette, the Christian Dior Blue Embroidered Canvas Book Tote Medium and the Judith Leiber Silver Crystal Minaudière.

See The Art of the Evening Bag for more.

Rare fabrics make an older piece feel special. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Multicolor & Metallic Tweed Half Flap Medium, the Fendi Black Velvet Zucca Flap Shoulder Bag and the Louis Vuitton Grey Monogram Canvas Patchwork Conte De Fees Musette.

See The Fendi Archive for more.

See The One-of-a-Kind Edit. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Jewelry Chest Small, the Chanel Brown Lucite Tortoiseshell Box Bag and the Chanel Black Lambskin River Of Pearls Flap Bag Mini.

Look at the detail first and the label second. A good piece stands up to a close look, and the best ones reward it.

Start with a Gripoix pin on a jacket, or a beaded bag with a simple dress, and build from there. Details are what make an archival piece worth owning, so choose the one you would still want to look at after a year.