Minaudière

Minaudière
Minaudière created in 1934 by Van Cleef & Arpels for millionaire Florence Gould.

A minaudière is a women's fashion accessory, generally considered a jewelry piece, intended to substitute for an evening bag. A case with compartments, it allows storage for several items in a small space, such as a makeup compact, lipstick, watch, reading glasses, or keys.

The minaudière appeared during the 1930s. Its invention is attributed to Charles Arpels, of Van Cleef & Arpels, but many jewellers and Haute Couture designers have created their own models.

Description

Generally metal plated and in an oblong shape, sized small enough to be held within the hand, a minaudière is a dainty accessory. The materials used to make it are most frequently rigid, with a metallic finish such as gold or silver.[1] The exterior may be detailed with precious or semi-precious stones, or decorated with laquer or mother of pearl. However, designs also exist in textile versions, with cloth overlaying a frame or flexible and supple, using velour, silk or brocade fabric, embroidered or not.

Some minaudières include a lanyard or chain that the owner places over their wrist. Other designs have a satin or velour pouch to hold the minaudière.[2].

The interior can reveal the ingenuity of the designer. A minaudière contains several small compartments, carefully designed to organize the owner's personal items for maximum utility.

According to fashion journalist Lloyd Boston, a minaudière constitutes an "essential" part of an evening wardrobe, a small object with no limit to its usefulness, and a "fabulous character".[3] ».

Invention

According to press articles of the time[4] the minaudière was invented by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1934. Charles Arpels was inspired by watching Florence Gould, third wife of philanthropist Frank Jay Gould, toss several small, loose makeup items into a tin box.[2].

References

  1. ^ Certaines minaudières sont toutefois fabriquées en matériaux moins onéreux tels l'argent ou le styptor, alliage d'argent et d'étain créé dans les années trente par Van Cleef & Arpels. Cf. Jean-Jacques Richard, L'Histoire des Van Cleef et des Arpels, Books on demand, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Catherine Cariou, « La Minaudière de Van Cleef & Arpels », Paris Joaillerie, 5 mars 2007, lire en ligne (page consultée le 16 juin 2011)
  3. ^ (English) Lloyd Boston, The Style Checklist : The Ultimate Wardrobe Essentials for You, p. 189, Atria Books, 2010, lire en ligne (page consultée le 16 juin 2011)
  4. ^ Non signé, « Le plus beau présent de Paris : la Minaudière », blog L'Histoire des Van Cleef et des Arpels de Paris, lire en ligne (page consultée le 16 juin 2011)
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  • Minaudière — créée en 1934 par Van Cleef Arpels pour la milliardaire Florence Gould. Une minaudière est un accessoire de mode féminin, généralement un objet de joaillerie, destiné à remplacer le sac du soir. Ce réticule compartimenté permet de loger de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Minaudière — ● Minaudière nom féminin (nom déposé) Boîte souvent en argent ou en or destinée à être portée à la main comme accessoire de la toilette féminine, et contenant le plus souvent un nécessaire de maquillage …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • minaudière — ● Minaudière nom féminin (nom déposé) Boîte souvent en argent ou en or destinée à être portée à la main comme accessoire de la toilette féminine, et contenant le plus souvent un nécessaire de maquillage …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • minaudière — [mē΄nō dyer′] n. [Fr] a woman s small handbag, often decorated with costly material, used for formal wear …   English World dictionary

  • minaudière — /mee noh dyair /; Fr. /mee noh dyerdd /, n., pl. minaudieres / dyairz /; Fr. / dyerdd /. a small, sometimes jeweled case for a woman s cosmetics or other personal objects, often carried as a handbag. Also, minaudiere. [1935 40 (earlier in sense… …   Universalium

  • minaudière — noun Etymology: French, feminine of minaudier affected, coquettish, from minauder to mince Date: 1940 a small decorative case for carrying small articles (as cosmetics or jewelry) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • minaudière —    (mee noh DYAIR) [French: an affected person] A small case, carried like a handbag, made to hold a woman’s personal items or cosmetics; often elaborately embroidered or jeweled.    See also etui …   Dictionary of foreign words and phrases

  • minaudière — mi·nau·dière …   English syllables

  • minaudière — min•au•dière or min•au•diere [[t]ˌmi noʊˈdyɛər[/t]] n. cvb clo a small, sometimes jeweled case for a woman s cosmetics or other personal objects • Etymology: 1935–40; < F: orig., coquette, n. use of fem. of minaudier affected …   From formal English to slang

  • minaudière — mēnōdyeer noun ( s) Etymology: French, affected, coquettish, from minauder to simper, smirk, from Old French mine appearance, perhaps from Breton min beak, snout : a small decorative case for carrying small articles (as cosmetics or jewelry) …   Useful english dictionary

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