CARTIER & ALDO CIPULLO: NEW YORK CITY IN THE 70s

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Sat, 2012-04-14 08:57

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Friday the 13th of April. A big day to celebrate for Cartier that presented the exhibition titled Cartier & Aldo Cipullo, New York City in the 70s. Curated and designed by Cartier in collaboration with Stephan Beckman, the exhibition opened yesterday at the Cartier Mansion and will run through May 8. Approximately 40 jewels from the era as well as archival drawings, articles and scrapbooks. Cocktail party and preview celebrating the opening of this special exhibition commemorating the designs of Cartier in the 70s and the dynamic city that served as inspiration, gathered artists, designers and many more...

The exhibition includes the first nail bracelet originally conceived by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier New York in 1971. Daring and chic, the bracelet featured a simple nail design gracefully wrapped arount the wrist. It quickly became a classic symbol of the rebellious spirit and raw energy in New York City during that era. In the vibrant 70s atmosphere a charming blonde, blue-eyed Italian with movie-star good looks, Aldo Cipullo (1935-1984) conceived the Cartier Love bracelet while working as Cartier's in-house designer. The publicity surrounding his very first design for Cartier transformed Cipullo into a household name. His work was influenced by his philosophy of life and changing lifestyles -he designed for the moment while thinking of tomorrow. The designer's range of themes reflected New York City life: modern love, the Women's Movement, Pop Art, Minimalism, signs of the zodiac, backgammon and good luck charms. Cipullo's instinctual talent for capturing the spirit of the times and dazzling dexterity of the jewerly arts at Cartier, moved the guests yesterday evening.

Musician Lou Reed and Cartier Director of Style, Image, and Heritage Pierre Rainero attend exhibition preview & cocktail reception at Cartier Mansion in NY.

Model Karlie Kloss and blogger Derek Blasberg.

Designer Jason Wu and actress Lily Collins.

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Two events in 1969 set the tone for the next decade at Cartier in New York. In Octomber the first diamond to sell for more that $1 million, a 69.42 -carat pear-shape went from Cartier to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The sale made headlines -"Liz Gets That Peachy Pear"- and reminded the world of the exceptional gems the House purveyed. That same year, Cartier presented the instantly iconic 1969 Love Bracelet designed by Aldo Cipullo. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton entrusted Cartier with the special commission of a necklace for their historic 203.84 -grain La Peregrina Pearl in 1972. It broke records as the most expensive item sold at the recent auction of Elizabeth Taylor's jewels in New York City, and the original drawing fo the necklace Cartier created will be on view in the exhibition.

When Art Deco experience a revival in the mid-seventies, Cartier staged two exhibitions at the Fifth Avenue flagship of its magnificent jewels and objects made during the Roaring Twenties. Cartier's central role in the Jazz Age was underscored on screen when it bejeweled Mia Farrow and Lois Chiles for their roles in the 1974 remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby.

A view of the Cartier Juste un Clou collection.