Monica Rich Kosann
Encyclopedia
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.
Home Section and Town & Country
. In August 2009, she launched a blog devoted to continual discussions of the Art of photography, for people who are interested in enjoying the vanishing art of creating photos with film and darkrooms and the use of silver gelatin papers.
s and cigarette case
s. A cigarette case-shaped photograph holder designed by Kosann sells for up to $1450. Kathy Hilton
gave photograph frames for her daughters Paris
and Nicky
for Christmas 2005. Kosann has designed image cases and jewelry for Madonna
and Katie Holmes
.
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.
This collection has been featured editorially in numerous publications including W Jewelry, Departures, Newsweek
, 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
, 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. Monica opened her own shop at Bergdorf Goodman, on the 7th floor, in August 2008. In April 2009, she launched a business in Asia with Lane Crawford.
Monica was awarded the Rising Star Award for fine jewelry by Fashion Group International in January, 2010.
Monica launched a Facebook page in February 2009 and a blog about fine art photography in August 2009.
In the fall of 2009, Monica also launched a YouTube channel to feature videos from the Fine Art of Family media site.
. Kosann began studying photography at the age of 16 during a summer at the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, in Salzburg
, Austria
. 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
.
Kosann is married to husband Rod, and they have two daughters. 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.
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
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.
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). Kosann's portraits have been published in magazines such as Parents and Child, and her work has been reviewed in The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Home Section and Town & Country
Town & Country (magazine)
Town & Country, formerly the Home Journal and The National Press, is a monthly American lifestyle magazine. It is the oldest continually published general interest magazine in the United States.-Early history:...
. In August 2009, she launched a blog devoted to continual discussions of the Art of photography, for people who are interested in enjoying the vanishing art of creating photos with film and darkrooms and the use of silver gelatin papers.
Jewelry design
In addition to photography, Kosann also specializes in interesting ways to display them. Kosann began designing photograph frames in 2002 by recycling antique compactCompact (cosmetics)
A compact is cosmetic product. It is usually contained in a small, round case, with two or all of the following: a mirror, pressed powder, and a powder puff. The term is an abbreviation for "compact powder"...
s and cigarette case
Cigarette case
A cigarette case or cigarette box is a sturdy, most commonly metal container to store small numbers of cigarettes safely from crushing. In modern times they are also made of plastic....
s. A cigarette case-shaped photograph holder designed by Kosann sells for up to $1450. Kathy Hilton
Kathy Hilton
Kathleen Elizabeth "Kathy" Hilton is an American actress. She is the mother of Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton.-Personal life and family:...
gave photograph frames for her daughters Paris
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
and Nicky
Nicky Hilton
Nicholai Olivia "Nicky" Hilton is an American businesswoman, fashion model, socialite, celebutante, heiress and fashion designer. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton and younger sister of Paris Hilton....
for Christmas 2005. Kosann has designed image cases and jewelry for Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes
Katherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
.
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
Daguerreotype
The daguerreotype was the first commercially successful photographic process. The image is a direct positive made in the camera on a silvered copper plate....
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.
This collection has been featured editorially in numerous publications including W Jewelry, Departures, Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, In Style
In Style
InStyle is a monthly women’s fashion magazine published in the United States by Time Inc. Along with advertising, the magazine offers articles about beauty, fashion, home, entertaining, charitable endeavors and celebrity lifestyles. Launched in 1993 , InStyle currently has a circulation of 1.7...
, Town & Country (magazine)
Town & Country (magazine)
Town & Country, formerly the Home Journal and The National Press, is a monthly American lifestyle magazine. It is the oldest continually published general interest magazine in the United States.-Early history:...
, People (magazine)
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
, In Touch, the Robb Report
Robb Report
The Robb Report is an American, English-language, luxury-lifestyle magazine featuring products — including automobiles, real estate and watches — for affluent connoisseurs.-History:...
, ELLE
Elle
Elle may refer to:*Elle, Central African Republic*Elle , a fashion publication*Ellé, a river in France*Elle , a female given name*Elle , a Sri Lankan game similar to baseball*Ælle of Sussex, a Saxon king...
, and LA Confidential. Monica and her work has been featured on CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
, Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is an American business magnate, author, magazine publisher, and television personality. As founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she has gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, and merchandising...
, E! News
E! News
E! News, previously known as E! News Daily and E! News Live, is a nightly entertainment newsmagazine program airing on E!: Entertainment Television. The program debuted on September 1, 1991 and talks about Hollywood celebrities and gossip...
and Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
.
The Monica Rich Kosann is sold at over 60 specialty stores nationwide and in Japan. These stores include Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman is a luxury goods department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The company was founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf and was later owned and managed by Edwin Goodman, and later his son Andrew Goodman....
, Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
, Barneys New York
Barneys New York
Barneys New York is a chain of luxury department stores headquartered in New York City. The chain owns large stores in New York City, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Scottsdale, and smaller stores in other locations across the United States.Brands sold include...
and many fine specialty and jewelry stores. Monica opened her own shop at Bergdorf Goodman, on the 7th floor, in August 2008. In April 2009, she launched a business in Asia with Lane Crawford.
Monica was awarded the Rising Star Award for fine jewelry by Fashion Group International in January, 2010.
Media
Monica Rich Kosann launched a new original content media site in October 2009. The site’s mission is to highlight the unique stories behind how people capture, celebrate, and share the family memories created each day, specifically through their most prized heirlooms, photographs and collections.Monica launched a Facebook page in February 2009 and a blog about fine art photography in August 2009.
In the fall of 2009, Monica also launched a YouTube channel to feature videos from the Fine Art of Family media site.
Personal life
Monica Rich Kosann was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Kosann began studying photography at the age of 16 during a summer at the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. She then attended the International Center of Photography
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a photography museum, school, and research center in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
in New York, Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
, École des Arts at the Sorbonne in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. She received a bachelor's degree from Clark University
Clark University
Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Kosann is married to husband Rod, and they have two daughters. Kosann befriended Nawracaj in 1995, when she went to the Villa Maria Education Center in Stamford
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
to take pictures of students for Family Circle magazine.
Published books
- Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Adams Media Corporation, 2001) ISBN 158062281X
- The Fine Art of Family (MRK Fine Arts, 2004) ISBN 0974420204
- Living What You Love (Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, published April 20, 2010) ISBN 978-0307461322