Barrera coral statement piece necklace
$ 525.00
This product is currently sold out.
Barrera chunky coral statement necklace excellent condition heavy true coral pieces.
circumference “22”
Founded in the early 1980s by husband-and-wife duo Jose and Maria Barrera, the New York-based fashion house is renowned for its bold, handmade runway jewelry. The family-operated business blends luxury materials, like 24-karat gold plating and Austrian crystals, to create iconic, dramatic statement pieces. [1, 2, 3]
The Origins
The Barreras' journey began at the University of Texas, where Maria spotted Jose's jewelry in a student art exhibition. A visiting New York actress bought one of his necklaces and wore it to a party in NYC. There, the piece caught the eye of Vogue art editor Alexander Lieberman, who commissioned a photoshoot. The resulting Irving Penn-photographed images—worn by Marisa Berenson in Vogue's April 1970 issue—catapulted the couple into the fashion world, prompting their move to New York City. [1, 2]
The Evolution
- The 1980s–1990s: They officially launched their eponymous luxury line in the 1980s, becoming highly sought-after for chandelier earrings and multi-strand bib necklaces.
- The Avon Collaboration: From 1989 through 1996, the brand broadened its reach by designing a highly successful, more accessible line of high-end costume jewelry for Avon, known today as the "Barrera for Avon" collection.
- Celebrity & Runway: Over the past four decades, Barrera jewelry has graced the runways and been worn by style icons and celebrities like Beyoncé, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Cher.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Brand Today
The company remains proudly family-owned and operated in the heart of New York City, with the couple's three daughters—Larisa, Mariel, and Alicia—playing pivotal roles. Daughter Larisa Barrera, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, designs alongside her parents and expanded the company's repertoire to include handcrafted couture evening bags. [1, 2, 3, 4]
