There are elements or materials you find often in jewelry such as enamel, gold, silver, and platinum. One material has been popular for thousands of years and it can be found on many beautiful adornments, Mother of Pearl. This organic-inorganic material is also known as Nacre, a composite material created by some mollusks as their[Read More]
Tag Archives: fashion history
The Unger Brothers Company is an example of moving well-crafted everyday items into high-end art. Their exquisite Art Nouveau pieces became legendary and can be seen in many museums, even in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When it came to anything from toiletries to cufflinks, the Unger Brothers helped define the standard in Art Nouveau[Read More]
Art Nouveau was truly the “new art” and more significant than a reaction to Academism or fad that bubbled through Victorian restraints. Although, with the death of Queen Victoria it erupted into an era of nature-inspired originality. The form of flowers and symmetry of undulating lines were released from dictated shackles that kept the art[Read More]
Larter and Sons is another remarkable company that helped form Newark, New Jersey as a cufflink capital. As with other famed companies, Larter and Sons patented innovations that pushed men’s cufflinks forward. One of their innovations, the spring-back stud, is their maker’s mark. Their first patent was issued in the late Victorian era, a spring[Read More]
There are so few companies that have the longevity or influence Swank does. An empire that exists independent of and yet behind recognizable brands, such as Guess. Though Swank went by many names before the title we’re familiar with today, the standard of its cufflinks has never faltered. Swank began as the Attleboro Manufacturing Company,[Read More]
Few legends in silversmithing rival Georg Jensen. His cufflinks and wider works surpass pretty items on a suit, moving into the world of wearable art. Jensen’s early work, ambitions in sculpture, and ceramics helped carve a place for his company in jewelry and art history. Jensen held a democratic design philosophy in his work, believing[Read More]
We all know that fashion trends change, mold, and morph due to cultural mores or whatever dictates the aesthetics of the day. The placement and number of studs have morphed as much as dress shirts and dresses have, further accommodating the drapery they adorn. These precious accessories are for more than special days such as[Read More]
There are few institutions that define excellence throughout their history, surviving global crises, thriving, and changing the landscape in which they create their wares. Krementz is one of those legendary companies that maintained such a standard of ingenuity that they’ve flourished for more than a century. It was founded by German immigrant George Krementz, the[Read More]
The style that once meant opulence, luxury, and prestige in the early 20th century still draws the present to its rich designs and sharp beauty. Art Deco still resonates with many, even outside of those who endeavor to remain in an aesthetic time period (such as those interested in swing dancing or steampunk lifestyles). Art[Read More]