Main content

The power of the brooch

Why sales of brooches have soared, and why they can be such a powerful accessory.

We look into why sales of brooches have soared, and why they can be such a powerful accessory. Governor of the bank of Russia Elvia Nabiullina says the brooches she wears contain clues to understanding policy decisions, and the late Madeleine Albright, former USA Secretary of State, used to wear them as a diplomatic tool.

Brooches are currently gaining popularity among consumers and fashion brands are taking note, as Dolce & Gabbana鈥檚 Carlos Palacios and British Vogue鈥檚 Carol Woolton tell us.

Paul Paradis, an art historian from L鈥橢COLE School of Jewellery Arts in Paris, takes us through the history of brooches, and jewellery historian Vivienne Becker tells us what it was like to work with Madeleine Albright, and help pen her novel Read My Pins.

And we speak to Cindy Chao, one of the world鈥檚 most famous brooch makers, who became the first Asian female to get her work inducted into the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Presenter: Vivienne Nunis
Producer: Izzy Greenfield

(Photo: Lady Gaga at the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Wed 19 Oct 2022 07:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 28 Apr 2022 07:32GMT
  • Wed 19 Oct 2022 07:32GMT

Podcast