The Store P605 Crystal Leaf Barrette: History, Identification, and Styling
When you hold the Store P605 premium crystal leaf hair barrette in pink, the first thing you notice is the weight — not heavy, but substantial, with a quiet heft that speaks of metal backing and careful setting. The second thing is the light: those faceted crystals catch it from every angle, throwing tiny rainbows across your palm. This is not a barrette that apologises for being noticed. It belongs to a lineage of botanical-inspired hair accessories that have threaded through British fashion since the early nineteenth century, when real flowers and jewelled combs adorned the coiffures of Regency ladies.
What makes the P605 particularly compelling for a collector is its material honesty. The “crystal” is high-lead glass, precision-cut to mimic the fire of natural gemstones, a technique perfected in Bohemia and later adopted by British costume- jewellers in the 1920s. The leaf form — a single, elongated ivy or beech leaf, depending on whom you ask — is rendered in a soft blush pink, a colour that feels both Edwardian and utterly contemporary. The metal base is likely rhodium-plated brass, chosen for its durability and its cool, silver-like gleam that does not tarnish against the scalp. This combination of materials places the P605 squarely in the mid-to-late twentieth century, when British manufacturers like Maison Archives were producing accessories that balanced affordability with genuine craftsmanship.
For the vintage hair-accessory enthusiast, the P605 offers something rare: a piece that is both a faithful example of its era and entirely wearable today. The spring-loaded clip mechanism is sturdy, designed to hold a substantial section of hair without slipping, yet it opens smoothly with a satisfying click. The crystal setting is bezel-mounted, meaning each stone is held in place by a thin metal rim rather than prongs, which reduces the risk of losing a crystal during everyday wear. This is a barrette you reach for regularly, not one you tuck away — it gives your hair a finished, polished look.
The Botanical Lineage: Why Leaves Endure in Hair Accessory Design
The leaf motif in hair accessories is not a passing fancy; it is a constant. Leaf motifs appear in hair accessories from ancient Greek gilt bronze ivy wreaths to Arts and Crafts enamel oak leaves, serving as a symbol of growth, connection to nature, and quiet elegance. In British fashion, the leaf barrette reached a peak of popularity during the Edwardian era, when “art hair” combs carved from tortoiseshell and set with paste stones were worn by women of every class. The P605 is a direct descendant of those combs, updated with the materials and manufacturing techniques of the mid-1900s.
What distinguishes the P605 from earlier leaf barrettes is its scale. Edwardian pieces tended to be large, dramatic, intended to anchor elaborate updos. The P605 is more modest — about two inches long — designed for a half-up style or to secure a side section. This shift in scale reflects a broader change in hairstyles: as shorter cuts became fashionable in the 1920s and again in the 1960s, accessories shrank to match. The P605 sits comfortably in a mid-century context, when women were experimenting with voluminous bouffants and sleek bobs, and a small, bright barrette could add a focal point without overwhelming the silhouette.
Identifying an Authentic Store P605: Key Details for the Collector
If you are searching for a genuine P605 — whether in an antiques shop, at a vintage fair, or through an online marketplace — there are several markers to look for. First, examine the back of the barrette. Authentic pieces from this line typically have a small, stamped mark on the metal clip: “Maison Archives” or “M.A.” in a delicate serif font. The clip itself should be a continuous spring mechanism, not a hinged snap, and the teeth should be evenly spaced and slightly rounded at the tips to prevent snagging.
Second, check the crystal colour. The pink of the P605 is not a uniform candy pink; it is a graduated blush, darker at the centre of each stone and lighter at the edges. This effect is achieved by coating the back of the crystal with a thin layer of pink enamel before setting — a technique that adds depth and prevents the colour from fading over time. If the barrette you are looking at has a flat, single-tone pink, it may be a later reproduction or a different model.
Third, assess the leaf shape. The P605 leaf is asymmetrical, with a slight curve that follows the natural arc of the head. The veins are etched into the metal base, not stamped — you can feel them with your fingertip. This hand-finished detail is a hallmark of premium mid-century production, when manufacturers still valued subtle ornamentation over speed.
Caring for Your Crystal Leaf Barrette: Practical Preservation
A barrette like the P605 rewards careful handling. The crystals are durable but not indestructible; a sharp knock against a hard surface can chip a facet. When not in use, store the barrette in a soft pouch or a lined jewellery box, away from other metal pieces that might scratch the rhodium plating. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume, or dry shampoo — the alcohol in these products can dull the crystal’s brilliance over time and weaken the enamel backing.
To clean the barrette, use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Gently wipe the crystals and the metal clip, then dry immediately with a second cloth. Never soak the barrette or submerge it in water; the spring mechanism can rust, and the enamel backing may lift. If the clip becomes stiff after years of use, a tiny drop of sewing-machine oil on the hinge joint — applied with a toothpick — can restore smooth movement. This is the same method used by vintage jewellery restorers and will not damage the metal.
Styling the P605 in a Modern Wardrobe
The genius of the P605 is its versatility. The blush pink reads as a neutral — soft enough to complement pastels and creams, yet vivid enough to catch the eye against darker colours. For a daytime look, slide the barrette into a low side part, securing a few face-framing strands behind the ear. Pair it with a cream cashmere jumper and raw-denim jeans for a quietly polished effect. For evening, use the barrette to pin back one side of a deep side-swept wave, allowing the crystals to catch candlelight. The pink tone harmonises beautifully with gold jewellery, rose gold, and even delicate silver chains.
If you are drawn to the aesthetic of the 1960s, consider wearing the P605 with a high bouffant or a teased half-up style, as the original owners might have done. The barrette sits best in hair that has some texture — a light wave or a gentle curl gives the clip something to grip. For very fine or slippery hair, a small dab of hair wax on the clip’s teeth before insertion can provide extra hold without leaving residue.
Collectors often ask whether the P605 can be worn with other vintage accessories. The answer is yes, with restraint. Because the barrette is already a statement, it pairs best with simple earrings — small studs or plain hoops — and a minimal necklace. Let the barrette be the focal point of your hairstyle, and allow the rest of your outfit to support it. This is the same principle that guided the original wearers, who understood that a single, well-chosen accessory could complete an entire ensemble.
The P605 in Context: A Place in the Broader Collection
The Store P605 does not exist in isolation. It belongs to a family of mid-century hair accessories that includes the Bettie Lurex Triangle Clip Barrette, a design classic that shares the P605’s commitment to clean lines and quality materials. Where the Bettie clip is geometric and bold, the P605 is organic and delicate — together, they illustrate the range of mid-century British design, from the playful to the refined.
For collectors who focus on hair accessories in pink tones, the P605 also complements the Diamante Heaven Barrette, a vintage piece with Art Deco roots that uses clear crystals in a fan shape. Worn together, they create a layered effect: the Diamante Heaven adds sparkle at the crown, while the P605 anchors the side. The contrast between the clear fan and the pink leaf creates a balanced composition, each piece telling its own story while working together.
Where to Look and What to Pay
The P605 appears with some regularity in the vintage market, though condition varies widely. Expect to pay between £25 and £45 for a barrette in excellent condition — that is, with all crystals intact, the clip functioning smoothly, and the rhodium plating free of significant wear. Pieces with minor patina on the metal or a slightly loose spring can be found for £15 to £20, and are worth considering if you are comfortable with a small restoration project. The rarest versions are those with the original Maison Archives packaging, a small cream box with a gold foil logo; these can command up to £60 among serious collectors.
When buying online, request a photograph of the back of the barrette and a close-up of the clip mechanism. Sellers who specialise in vintage jewellery will usually provide these details without prompting. If the listing describes the crystals as “diamonds” or “Swiss crystal”, treat those claims with caution — the P605 uses high-lead glass, which is beautiful in its own right and historically accurate for the period. A seller who misrepresents the materials may also misrepresent the condition.
Finally, trust your hands. If you have the chance to examine the barrette in person, hold it up to the light. Turn it over. Run your thumb across the leaf veins. A genuine P605 will feel solid and balanced, with a finish that shows careful attention to detail. It will ask you to slow down and look closely — and that, perhaps, is the greatest pleasure of collecting vintage hair accessories.