Costume jewelry is an accessory made without using gemstones or precious metals, but instead using a variety of materials such as glass, shells, and resin. Freed from preconceived ideas about jewelry, it was pioneered by Paul Poiret in the early 20th century and was subsequently adopted by French haute couture designers such as Chanel, Dior, and Schiaparelli, who created a succession of unique pieces using free ideas and a variety of materials.

Costume jewelry first spread from Europe to the United States after the war. Coupled with the social climate of the time, when women were increasingly entering the workforce, it gained immense support as an item that expressed their independence and individuality. The time had come for working women to choose their own accessories.

This exhibition will display approximately 450 pieces from the collection of Chisako Kotaki, a world-renowned costume jewelry collector, and will introduce the historical development and appeal of costume jewelry. You can enjoy the free and original world of stylized beauty created by artists who lived through a turbulent era in fashion.