An Ethnic Bead Dynasty: Beads for Collectors and Designers

Jocelyne Okrent of the Rita Okrent Collection will share the 45-year journey of their trail-blazing ethnic jewelry business. Jocelyne will also discuss their specialty areas of ethnic adornment and show some rare treasures from two generations of collecting.

The Rita Okrent Collection has been a supplier of ethnic beads and adornment to collectors and designers for over 45 years. Rita was a pioneer in one-of-a-kind and asymmetrical ethnic necklace design and in the bead trade, beginning in the 1970s. She traveled the world to source treasures, which she started seeking out for design purposes and soon found a market for these design elements and for her necklaces. Rita contributed to the classic reference book Collectible Beads by Robert Liu and was an active member of the L.A. Bead Society. The RitaOkrent.com shop was one of the earliest bead and ethnic jewelry stores online and continues to be a resource for ethnic adornment with an extensive collection of antique beads, pendants, jewelry, and textiles from around the world. Jocelyne continues Rita’s passion – collecting, curating, and selling treasures from Rita’s unique inventory and with special finds of her own.

Bowers Tickets for the Recorded Screening

Ticketed Onsite Event: Free for Bowers Members | General $15

Recorded Online Screening: Free for Bowers Members | General $10 | Online version will be emailed to ticket holders one week after the onsite event.