Louisville Magazine is Louisville's city magazine, covering Louisville people, lifestyles, politics, sports, restaurants, entertainment and homes. Includes a monthly calendar of events.
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48 LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE 7.15 Best Costume Jewelry 2023 Antiques 2023 Frankfort Ave. In 1996, Judy Champion opened 2023 in Clifton as a Mid-Centu- ry Modern furnishings shop. "One time, a woman pulled up with the back of her station wagon flled with handmade clothes that were beautiful," Champion says. "From clothing, you branch out. And because I do like the jewelry, it's taken over." The 70-year-old wears round, thick-framed glasses and has a giant taffeta fower pinned to her burnt-orange sweater. She foats around the store, plucking her current favorites from the cases of carefully dis- played bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, cuffinks, tie clips and more. "Is that not fab?" she says, holding up an ornate bracelet. "This link bracelet has green Peking glass — a material from the '20s and '30s that was made to look like jade. My favorite fnd. I almost thought about not putting it in the case. But a girl's gotta pay rent." She laughs as she often does. Costume jewelry is not made from gold or silver or precious gems but often glass. The word "costume," Champion says, comes from couturier shows in Paris. "Chanel would commission pieces to go with her costumes," she says. Champion has a lot of so-called "pickers," who go around to different cities searching for vintage items. She also goes to fea markets and antique malls and occasionally sees people come into the store with their late grandmother's collection. She used to look for more over-the- top rhinestone pieces but says that the lifestyle has gotten more casual. "In the '50s, you didn't put a rhinestone on until after 5, but that rule is out the window. People would wear this with jeans," she says, holding up a sparkly choker necklace. "I look for unusual materials and designs. If it's a good design, I'm gonna buy it — glitzy or not. "Here, look at this: a bowling-ball-and-pin slide bracelet. How kitschy is that?" — MCA CRITIC'S CHOICE Photo by Aaron Kingsbury Best Scenic Route Maybe you're trying to get to Captain's Quarters from the Highlands. Or you want a no-fuss route from down- town to pick your kids up from Ballard High School or Kammerer Middle. Or maybe you simply want to take a tree-towering drive or bike ride that doesn't involve getting lost in the depths of Cherokee Park or Anchorage (both can get a little scary). Three words: Lime Kiln Lane. Oh, and I should probably mention intersecting River Road, seeing that it's an offcial Kentucky Scenic Byway. Take that, too. — MCA CRITIC'S CHOICE