CREARTUBLOG

Before cufflinks came into existence, men’s fashion statement during the Middle Ages was the cuff string, which is used to adorn the male wrists. Later on, cuff buttons were made. There were varieties of diamond and gold enameled sets of cuff buttons. this was very evident during the 17th century, particularly in England. Cuff buttons back then were considered a status symbol that only the royalty and elite could afford. The supply was very limited during this time, as all cuff buttons were hand made.

Towards the 18th century, mass production of these precious accessories was made possible with the invention of the Tour a’ Guilloche machine and it was the start of the cufflinks’ play in the fashion world during this era. a wider market was tapped because of this breakthrough. Men from the middle class adopted cuff links as part of their fashion statement, but since only the wealthy class could afford the silver or enamel cuff links they used replicas instead – fake diamonds and gold-colored alloys with foil backing.

When cufflinks made its mark in the men’s fashion world during the 1880′s, different countries have started doing their own mass production of this pair of timeless classic accessory. it wasn’t long after when US businesses started giving cufflinks as incentives to their performing male employees and even as gifts to clients. In Russia, the luxury artisans of Faberge were forced to emigrate across Europe and often to America, where they taught their enameling skills to others. Thus, enamel cufflinks later on became highly collectible; especially the hand-made ones.

During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, the development of precious metal electroplating made it possible for the masses to purchase cufflinks at a more affordable price. There was a wide variety of mechanisms manufactured and displayed in retail store. There were mechanisms for open and closing cufflinks. it was during this era when the classic chain was eventually replaced by the flip-hinge.

Famous jewellers like Cartier and Tiffany have made cufflinks even more popular through their own art cufflinks in mother of pearl, crystal, gemstones and other precious materials. it was not longer after they made cufflinks even more popular that they were able to establish cufflinks as the essential accessory for men.

Cuff links’ popularity even increased during the mid 1960s. Swank Inc., a popular cufflink manufacturer, was able to make at least 12 million a year.

Through the centuries cufflinks have evolved through various designs. For each period, cufflinks have made a mark in the fashion industry for men through the different designs for different lifestyles. There was the art deco at the end of 19th century, extravagant in the period 1940-1950, and the eccentric in the 1960.

Designers like Gucci and Paul Smith have contributed in bringing cufflinks back to the fashion stage, and to this day, cufflinks will continue to add the right kind of suave sophistication.