Fashion Wire Daily March 30, 2005 - NEW YORK - They say the third time's a charm, and in the case of three new books on the mysterious allure of charms, they're right on both counts.
First up: "Charmed Bracelets" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang; $19.95), written by jewelry designer Tracey Zabar, whose vintage-inspired baubles are sold in Barneys New York and worn by Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker.
A lifelong devotee of the trinket-laden bracelets (her mother and grandmother were collectors), Zabar's paean to the jingle jangle accessories she calls "history on a wrist" discusses the origin of charms and showcases — in text and beautifully detailed photographs — bracelets owned by Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers, Jackie O., The Duchess of Windsor, Mrs. Harry Winston and other less famous but no less fashionable fans.
Zabar also includes a slew of fun factoids (such as misspellings and bad French translations found on charms), offers advice for composing a charm bracelet of one's own (traditional or otherwise), and gives readers the inside skinny on the best places to track down charms.
"Charming: The Magic of Charm Jewelry" by jewelry historian Deborah Alun-Jones and Links of London chairman John Ayton (Thames & Hudson, $19.95) will hit shelves April 25th.
Equal parts something old and something new — showing celebrities from Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich to Kelly Osbourne and Orlando Bloom sporting charms — this is a beautifully designed tome full of lush color photos artfully displayed on glossy black and white paper stock.
A less service-y and more idiosyncratic take on charms, Alun-Jones and Ayton focus on the magical, spiritual, emotional and auspicious aspects of the talismans themselves (from Tutankhamen's cobra to Madonna's cross). Here, too, you'll find interesting historical tidbits about, say, heraldic emblems — like the kind Jade Jagger recently reworked for The Garrard Knightrider collection — along with memorable anecdotes from charm collectors and modern designer takes on the traditional trinkets, such as Lulu Guinness Scottie Dog handbag or Matthew Williamson's charm-festooned jeans.
Finally, there is "The Charm of Charms" by Jade Albert and Ki Hackney (Abrams Books; $29.95), due out in June. As befits a collaboration by a seasoned fashion photographer (Albert) and fashion writer (Hackney) this lavishly produced, sophisticated book is a treat for the visual and intellectual senses — eye candy that pays tribute to wrist candy.
"The Charm of Charms" presents a lively written history — from ancient times to the present — of the tiny treasures (which, according to these authors, first appeared as amulets on cave men) along with stunning color photos of jewelry owned by Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and other lucky charmers.
