Fashion

Inside Downton Abbey’s Dazzling Jewels with Andrew Prince

By Mary Hall | July 22, 2014

Pieces from jeweler Andrew Prince’s Downton Abbey Costume Jewelry collection. (photo. M. Hall)

One of the highlights of the FIDM Exhibit of the Costumes from Outstanding Television Shows, is the display of beautiful and historically accurate jewelry from “Downton Abbey.” The jewelery is meticulously researched and reproduced for the show by jeweler Andrew Prince. Many of us watch the show and wish we could have a piece of that jewelry for our own. Well, now you can. Mr. Prince has launced a collection of jewelry now being sold at the Kentshire Gallery at Bergdorf-Goodman. Lower priced reproductions of the Downton Abbey jewelry can also be found at Kohl’s.

A 1920’s style beaded gown with period tassel necklace by Andrew Prince. (photo: M. Hall)

In an era where the camera can show every detail and every imperfection, Andrew Prince spends hours perfecting his Downton Abbey jewelery. He has created tiaras, necklaces, bracelets, hair ornaments and pins. For this past season, he created many 1920’s style tassel necklaces. In talking to Mr. Prince, it’s clear that each character has their own style of jewelry. “It’s very important to get stones of the correct cut,” notes Mr. Prince. “For example, Cora, the American Heiress, she would’ve had very modern pieces of jewelry. And the cuts and colors are very different from what is produced today.” As for historical accuracy, Mr. Prince is a stickler for those details. “It’s actually fun to go through the books and do the research, when someone says, can you make this piece of jewelry,” he says. He points out if you know the situation, the character and the time period, then you can make a good reproduction of a period piece. For example, the style of the Dowager Duchess Maggie Smith is “opulent, not vulgar, showing off her old money, ” says Mr. Prince.

If you have a chance to visit the Downton Abbey exhibit of costumes at the FIDM museum in Downtown Los Angeles, look for Mr. Prince’s jewelry on sale in the gift shop. It’s beautifully recreated. Prices start at $100.00 for a pair of earrings.

One of Andrew Prince’s exquisite Downtown Abbey hair ornament. (photo M. Hall)

On Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Mr. Prince will be speaking at FIDM Los Angeles on “From Downton to Gatsby: Jewellery and Fashion from 1890 – 1929.” The lecture is free to FIDM members.