How the nail became a jewelry sensation thanks to Cartier: quite a story!
The nail as a source of inspiration for creating a piece of jewelry? You wouldn't blame most people from another planet for thinking that this is a crazy idea. For us Earthlings who know the Juste un Clou jewelry by Cartier , we know what it's really like. Undoubtedly, fashion can take unexpected turns. Juste un Clou bracelets are the embodiment of this.
History of Juste un Clou jewelry
It was in 1971 that the Roman jeweler Aldo Cipullo , an expatriate in New York, imagined a bracelet in the shape of a nail. Created in the United States, this product was named the Nail bracelet . At the time, it did not enjoy extraordinary success. Indeed, this jewel lived in the shadow of another of his creations. Namely the mega popular Love bracelet by Cartier, launched in 1969.
Cipullo was well-known in New York nightlife. He could regularly be seen wiggling on the dance floors of the Big Apple alongside Andy Warhol or Liza Minnelli. First employed by Tiffany and other houses, Aldo Cipullo joined Cartier in the 60s in order to benefit from greater creative freedom. For the French house, this hiring would be a hit.
Juste un Clou jewelry rose from the ashes in 2012
Until about a decade ago, the pieces in Cartier's Juste un Clou collections were mainly antique jewelry. But to mark Cartier's 165th anniversary, the French house decided to release a new collection. That was in 2012. The release of these 21st-century Juste un Clou jewels coincided with an exhibition devoted to Cipullo's work and New York fashion of the 1970s.
For these new pieces of jewelry inspired by the nail, Cartier remains faithful to Cipullo's idea while innovating. Juste un Clou bracelets and rings are now available in yellow, pink and white gold . Some creations can also be set with diamonds . On the sides of the nail head, or in the notches of the tip.
Cartier Juste un Clou earrings and necklaces make their appearance in 2017
The second iteration of the collection was more successful than the original. So much so that in 2017, Cartier "hammered the point home" by now offering earrings and necklaces inspired by this hardware product. Almost 50 years later, Juste un Clou jewelry has risen to the level of the Love collection in terms of popularity. Proof of Cipullo's pioneering role.
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Aldo Cipullo, a designer ahead of his time
Cipullo may not be as famous as fashion's most famous surrealist, Elsa Schiaparelli. But in terms of timelessness, he has nothing to envy her, quite the opposite. How was he able to anticipate fashion trends in the 70s by a few decades? Probably because he was able to combine surrealism and minimalism . Juste un Clou could have been created in the 18th century, yesterday or in 100 years: it is the timeless jewel par excellence. In this respect, Cipullo's work is reminiscent of that of Meret Oppenheimer.
