Vintage Designer ALEXIS KIRK Modernist Black Statement Necklace

Vintage ALEXIS KIRK Modernist Black Statement Runway Necklace. Signed by designer Alexis Kirk. Clasp is also signed. Three strands of hefty acrylic ( possibly Bakelite??) black beads. Silver tone metal shows some very slight scratches. Beautiful vintage condition! History of the designer: From the beginning, Kirk was known for creating bold jewelry, including many interesting necklace styles and cuff bracelets, many of which were gold plated. However, he used various materials such as striking woods, alternate metals like pewter, feathers, and different types of plastics, including Bakelite, in his lines. In addition to jewelry, Kirk designed belts and scarves that were featured in Vogue Magazine. His jewelry also appeared in fashion spreads in Harper’s Bazaar and New Woman. In 1975, Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone noted that Kirk was one of the designers of the day designing “gold-toned pieces made in the Scythian style.” In 1988, he was honored by the Dallas Fashion Awards. Many famous women were fans of Kirk’s jewelry in its heyday, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the Duchess of Windsor, and Cher. Prominent Republican women like Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush wore his elephant designs. He was quoted to say that he envisioned his jewelry being worn by the wives of powerful men when he was sketching his designs.