It was three in the morning, the darkest hour before dawn, and designer Aldo Cipullo was lying awake in his New York apartment, heartbroken and lovelorn, restlessly ruminating and reliving happier times, cherishing the poignant preciousness of memories. He knew, instantly, that he had to find a way to keep hold of those loving memories, to keep them captive, to lock up the remnants of his lost love. Sensitive and emotional, the Italian jewellery designer naturally thought of the long history of the jewel as a love token— as an emblem of everlasting affection and promise of undying commitment. It was during this moment, in the depths of despair, that the ‘Love’ bracelet—Cartier's icon of contemporary design—was born.
Aldo Cipullo was born in Naples, in 1935, and grew up in…
