“If you’re going to be a star, you have to look like a star, and I never go out unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want to see the girl next door, go next door.” – Joan Crawford

Jewelry was never just an accessory in Hollywood’s golden age—it was a starring role. In this illustrated lecture, Dr. Emily Stoehrer, co-curator of Radiance & Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane and Senior Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, explores how dazzling Parisian, New York, and Hollywood jewels shaped the iconic image of the movie star. She will also trace how Neil Lane has reintroduced vintage jewels to the spotlight, lending them to 21st-century celebrities for red-carpet appearances, films, and music videos.

Celebrate the start of winter with complimentary hot cocoa, tea, and coffee as you enjoy this sparkling conversation on Hollywood style and glamour.

This talk complements the exhibition Radiance & Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane. Visiting the exhibition prior to the lecture is recommended. A curator-led morning tour will be available; capacity for the tour is limited and requires separate registration.

A special catalog accompanies this landmark exhibition of Hollywood jeweler Neil Lane’s fabled collection, featuring iconic works by Belperron, Cartier, Boucheron, Paul Flato, Tiffany & Co., and more. Catalogs may be ordered online during registration and picked up in advance of the event or on the day of the event. Pre-ordered copies will be available October 1–17 at the TMA Store in the Green Building, and on October 18 at the special exhibition shop in the Glass Pavilion. For catalog purchase related questions, please call 419-254-5766.

About the speaker

Dr. Emily Stoehrer is the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Senior Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she oversees one of the world’s most significant jewelry collections. A curator, author, and lecturer, she has organized exhibitions including Hollywood Glamour: Fashion & Jewelry from the Silver Screen and Beyond Brilliance: Jewelry Highlights from the Collection. An international speaker and scholar, her research explores how jewelry reflects culture, identity, and societal change, with a special focus on Hollywood’s red carpet.

This event is free and open to all.

Radiance & Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane is a ticketed exhibition, tickets can be ordered during the registration of this event. Exhibition tickets are free always for members. Learn more about membership here.

Registration is encouraged but not required; non-registered guests are welcome and will be welcomed in as capacity allows. Admittance will be given with preference to registered guests. Registering for our events allows us to best plan for our audience size.