President, Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection Toronto
Today we welcome you to the World of Carole, where colorful gems collide like a kaleidoscope (or in a kaleidoscope, as per the case of that one-of-a-kind CHANEL pendant). The World of Carole began in the World of Corporate Art, where Tanenbaum acted as a curator for a bunch of law and accounting firms. As an avid art collector from a family of art aficionados, its safe to say the gemology gene was embedded in her DNA. After the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection was picked up by Holt Renfrew (it even had it’s own department!), CTVC was sprinkled and shimmered across the map from Kirna Zabete in N.Y.C. to Harvey Nichols in London. And trust us, her collection gets around. The First Lady-herself, Mrs. MObama has rocked a vintage CTVC rock on multiple occasions (including inauguration day!), as has S.J.P. (who owns over 400 pieces!) Even the Queen B put a Tanenbaum ring on it… kind of; Beyonce looked (Sasha) Fierce in vintage CT CHANEL on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. So you can imagine the mini-heart attacks we endured upon entering Tanenbaum’s home- had we checked the weather that morning, we would have realized it was going to be an ice storm. Once we laid eyes on her infamous mahogany (treasure) chest, a vintage CHANEL light bulb went off in our heads and we realized we were in a blinged-out fantasy. Tanenbaum’s Henry Schreiner shrine, Sherman and Sorrell showstoppers (for grocery shopping, nonetheless!) and blinding collection of brooches and bracelets totally lit up our day… uh, make that lives! And the vintage CHANEL didn’t hurt either…
Sherman, Canada’s own designer of the 1950’s and 1960’s, created these cuffs - which in my mind are his most valued and rare jewels. Many of the colors in the photos were prototypes, never to be produced in the commercial line.
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Bracelets, Sherman
Necklace, Vintage CHANELNecklace, Vintage CHANEL
Bracelets, Various Designers
Cuffs, Various Designers
Henry Schreiner, NY, 1950.
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Necklace, Henry Schreiner
The two “book ends” are CHANEL. The central geometric iridescent bracelet is Versace runway. Dazzling!
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L to R: Bracelets, CHANEL, Versace, CHANEL
A highly collectible Hobe jewelled purse, bordered by two highly collectible Milton Avery engravings.
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Bag, Hobe
I bought this from a repair pile, as it is missing some of the pearls. This is where I make a re-condition exception. I will never find another example!
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All, Vintage CHANEL
This is part of my extensive Bakelite collection. I wear three or four at a time. What a great “menu” to choose from.
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Bakelite Bracelets, Various Designers
Necklace, Alan Anderson
This is Hobe, 1940. The first set I’ve ever come across that includes a purse as part of the parure.This is Hobe, 1940. The first set I’ve ever come across that includes a purse as part of the parure.
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All, Hobe
Another one-of-a-kind. Fabulous, no?
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Kaleidoscope Necklace, Vintage CHANELKaleidoscope Necklace, Vintage CHANELKaleidoscope Necklace, Vintage CHANEL
I wake up each morning and choose my “story” according to my mood. When I am low, this is the go- to closet!!!
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Brooches, Various Designers
I chose these purses for their incredible celluloid frames, married to wonderful vintage fabrics. Now that’s design!
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Bags, Various Designers
I wear the necklace with jeans while grocery shopping. He is one of the best contemporary New York designers.
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Necklace, Robert Sorrell
These brush pins are by Hattie Carnegie. Sarah Jessica Parker wore the yellow one to launch her perfume line!
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Pins, Hattie Carnegie
These are Schreiner’s Mona Lisa’s. They are his Ruffle Brooches, using his keystone or kite shaped crystal.
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Brooches, Henry Schreiner
All, Various Designers
The best with the best – A vintage 1970’s CHANEL Bow Necklace with a 17th century Italian marble Adonis.The best with the best – A vintage 1970’s CHANEL Bow Necklace with a 17th century Italian marble Adonis.
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Necklace, CHANELNecklace, CHANEL
