History of cufflinks

2006-11-07
The first cufflinks appeared in the early 17th century.
They were an original alternative to ribbons and lace to retain handles.
Considering at the begining as a personal adornment, it was reserved to the high social class population.

In the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, the development of precious metal electroplating afforded the masses to get cuffinks in their wardrobe.
A wide variety of mechanisms for open and closing cufflinks appeared: the classic chain is replaced by the flip-hinge.
Jewellers like Cartier and Tiffany crafted work of art cufflinks in mother of pearl, crystal, precious stones...
These famous fashion names establish cufflinks as the essential accessory for men.

Miror of our history, cufflinks espouse centuries through various designs: art deco at the end of 19th century, extravagant in the period 1940-1950, eccentric in 1960 with Holywood stars and whimsical today.
Thanks to new designers as Paul Smith or Gucci, cufflinks are back to the fashion stage: cufflinks will continue to add the right kind of suave sophistication.