Monica Rich Kosann

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Monica Rich Kosann is a fine art black-and-white photographer, who is also the founder of the Monica Rich Kosann a, jewelry, home decor and accessory company. Her signature line consists of several different collections: jewelry, image cases, frames and evening bags.

Contents

[edit] Photography

Kosann is noted for her photography of children and family portraits. Her photography is featured in two books by Sister Carol Ann Nawracaj, Treasures from Heaven, the Gift of Children (1997), and Thank Heaven For Little Girls (2001).[1][2][3] Kosann's portraits have been published in magazines such as Parents and Child, and her work has been reviewed in The New York Times Home Section and Town & Country.[4]

[edit] Jewelry design

In addition to photography, Kosann also specializes in interesting ways to display them.[5] Kosann began designing photograph frames in 2002 by recycling antique compacts and cigarette cases.[6] A cigarette case-shaped photograph holder designed by Kosann sells for up to $1450.[7] Kathy Hilton gave photograph frames for her daughters Paris and Nicky for Christmas 2005.[8] Kosann has designed image cases and jewelry for Madonna and Katie Holmes.[9]

Each of her pieces is crafted from sterling silver, gold, calfskin leather or glass fired enamel. She launched her collection in 2003, and her pieces were inspired by vintage cigarette cases, powder compacts, lockets and daguerreotype cases that she collected from flea markets and antique shopping. Monica saw in the shapes of these vintage accessories a new generation of possibilities, modern day pieces that hold something precious to us all, the images of our loved ones. A Monica Rich Kosann piece is designed to be a keepsake to be worn or displayed to preserve a special moment and then passed on for generations as a family heirloom.

Monica, together with her husband Rod who co-founded the company, has sought out to connect her collection to what she calls “The Fine Art of Family,” which is also the name of her latest book.[10][4]

This collection has been featured editorially in numerous publications including W Jewelry, Departures, Newsweek[11], In Style, Town & Country (magazine), People (magazine), In Touch, the Robb Report, ELLE, and LA Confidential. Monica and her work has been featured on CNBC, Martha Stewart[12], E! News and Entertainment Tonight.

The Monica Rich Kosann is sold at over 60 specialty stores nationwide and in Japan. These stores include Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York and many fine specialty and jewelry stores.

[edit] Personal life

Monica Rich Kosann was born in New York City.[13] Kosann began studying photography at the age of 16 during a summer at the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, in Salzburg, Austria.[4] She then attended the International Center of Photography in New York, Rhode Island School of Design, École des Arts at the Sorbonne in Paris. She received a bachelor's degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.[4]

Kosann is married to husband Rod, and they have two daughters.[14] Kosann befriended Nawracaj in 1995, when she went to the Villa Maria Education Center in Stamford, Connecticut to take pictures of students for Family Circle magazine.[14]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nawracaj, Carol Ann; Monica Rich Kosann (May 1997). Treasures from Heaven: the Gift of Children. Penguin Studio. ISBN 978-0670872893. 
  2. ^ Nawracaj, Carol Ann; Monica Rich Kosann (May 2001). Thank Heaven For Little Girls. Adams Media Corporation. ISBN 978-1580622813. 
  3. ^ Cooney, Beth. "Photographer focuses candid lens on little girls", The Journal Gazette, 2001-06-04. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Local photographer captures "The Fine Art of Family"", The New Canaan Advertiser, 2004-10-07. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  5. ^ Matchan, Linda. "When images are everything", The Boston Globe, 2005-06-02. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  6. ^ Shustack, Mary. "Photographer recycles vintage accessories into classy frames", The Journal News, 2002-11-22. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  7. ^ Colborn, Marge. "Father's Day case is a keeper", The Detroit News, 2005-06-18. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  8. ^ Das, Lina. "Daily Mail: bling in the new", The Daily Mail, 2005-12-24. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  9. ^ Adams, Cindy. "Duchess' son finds adventures in food", New York Post, 2006-11-10. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  10. ^ Kosann, Monica Rich (2004). The Fine Art of Family. MRK Fine Arts LLC. ISBN 978-0974420202. 
  11. ^ Kuchment, Anna. "Style: A Secret Picture", Newsweek, 2005-10-17. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  12. ^ Martha Stuart Living
  13. ^ Gupte, Pranay. "The Rich and Famous Line Up for Her Heirlooms", The New York Sun, 2006-03-13. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  14. ^ a b Conway, Pat. "Fortune smiles when a nun's on your team", The News-Times, 2001-05-13. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 

[edit] External links