Dries Van Noten Ear Cuff
Wearing ear cuffs is the trend that has re-emerged during the last few years. These unusual earrings of various sizes and shapes were spotted on models during the Spring-Summer 2013 catwalks of Rodarte and Jason Wu.
Soon various celebrities and fashionistas adopted the style and with the arrival of the new Autumn-Winter season the trend has continued to grow stronger, supported by Chloe, Dries Van Noten, Thakoon, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli.
So why are ear cuffs so popular? Firstly,they are clips to the cartilage at the edge of the ear and require no piercing. Secondly, they do not pull the ear lobe down no matter how elaborate their design is so no need to worry about the weight of the jewel. And thirdly, ear cuffs come in such variety of metals and designs that they suit a wide range of personal styles.
Gold ear cuffs first appeared during ancient times, however, the exact origin remains unknown. They were worn by Greek aristocrats as a symbol of their wealthy status. This type of earring looked impressive and did not damage the ear lobe no matter how large and heavy the earrings were.
India and Thailand consider this type of jewellery traditional, ear cuffs are represented in many antique paintings and sculptures. During the XVII century, Russia became captivated by the allure of this unusual jewel. Some pieces have survived through Russia’s hard times and are now kept at the Diamond Fund in Moscow.
Ear cuffs reached the peak of their popularity in the middle of the XX century during the times of post-war prosperity in America. The money was flowing and tastes became more and more expensive. Wearing traditional earrings was no longer enough, ladies wanted to adorn themselves with diamonds all over. To meet the demand, Marcel Boucher, the French jeweler who immigrated to New York in the early 1920s, created an over the ear jewel under the name of Earrite. He patented his creation in 1950s and sold each piece individually.
Not only popular amoung socialites, ear cuffs appeared on ears of the most successful actresses of that time: Marylin Monroe, Lita Baron and Miranda Carmen.
The 90s became the next wave of popularity for ear cuffs, however, their popularity was not for their glamour but instead they reemerged as simple silver accessories during the punk music period.
With so many celebrities spotted wearing ear cuffs it is clear that this is a supercool accessory which is here to stay. It adds an edge to any style and can be worn individually or in pair. Here are some photos of Jessica Alba, Emma Watson, Cara Delevigne, Rihanna, Blake Lively and other celebrities to help you style your look.
