Aldo Cipullo – the Italian-born Cartier designer who conceptualised the Love bracelet in 1969 – can be said to be a visionary. At the time, jewellery generally leaned towards the ornate and those crafted from precious materials were reserved for grand occasions only. The Love bracelet turned all of that on its head: Its streamlined form inspired by humble hardware was intentionally androgynous so it could be – in today’s parlance – gender-fluid, while its sleek and minimalist aesthetic complemented everyday wear.
Love bracelets in brushed white gold (top) and polished white gold.
Far from unromantic though, it encapsulated its name physically and symbolically: Every piece was – and is still – sold with its own special screwdriver, calling for two pairs of hands to secure or remove it. Naturally, couples took to it with famous customers reportedly including Elizabeth Taylor, who wore one gifted to her by her then-beau Richard Burton, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Love bracelets in brushed yellow gold (top) and polished white gold, Cartier
Another idiosyncratic element of Cartier’s Love bracelet is the series of screws all around it. The exposed screw is an evergreen Cartier code: It goes all the way back to 1904 when the maison introduced its very first timepiece, the Santos de Cartier, which sports the same radical detail on its bezel. Since its 1969 debut, the Love bracelet has undergone numerous facelifts all while staying true to its original design.
Love brushed yellow gold bracelet, Cartier
The latest iteration launched recently comes in yellow or white gold that’s been brushed to create a cool matte effect, accented by screws in polished gold for a subtle contrast – a hyper-modern alternative to the classic all-polished version. Now this is how one makes love endure generations.
This article first appeared in the Nov 2023 Music Edition of FEMALE
