Circa 1980

Paris

Beautiful necklace, couture jewellery in the form of a long necklace in gold-plated metal, probably made by Robert Goossens for Rochas and dating from the 1980s. Three rows of flat chain links, punctuated with large spiral-shaped circles, as Mr Goossens often created for Coco Chanel, but also for Dior, Balenciaga and especially Yves Saint Laurent. Engraved on the back with C Rochas. The snail shape is repeated on the elaborate clasp at the back of the neck. No flaws. Very good condition.

Dimensions: 82 cm. Diameter of the spirals: 4 cm.

Marcel Rochas (1902–1955), a Parisian designer, founded his first fashion house in 1925 at the age of just 22. He was the creator of the basque, an undergarment that replaced the corset in the 1950s. During the interwar period, he became so sought-after that Hollywood stars such as Mae West and Marlene Dietrich dressed at his fashion house. In 1936, he began working with perfumes, but did not open his own perfume house until 1944, when he created the company Parfums Rochas. He was assisted by the famous Edmond Roudnista, who invented the formula for Christian Dior's future Diorissimo. In 1953, after several creations in perfumery, he decided to close the fashion house to devote himself solely to his fragrances. He died in 1955, exhausted by his incessant work. His third wife, Hélène, remained at the helm of the company until 1971. The company began exporting its products worldwide in the 1980s.