Elsa Peretti never dreamed of having castles in the sky, nor did she wish for money to grow on trees. Despite coming from wealth, the Italian model-turned-designer found herself financially cut off at 21 and had to work her way up. She supported herself by teaching Italian and skiing before deciding to try her hand at modelling, which led her to New York. There, new opportunities unfolded allowing her to showcase her talents.
Peretti began creating pieces for American fashion designer Halston and even had the opportunity to wear them on his runway. Halston later introduced her to Tiffany & Co., and whether it was luck or her undeniable talent, it only took 15 minutes for her to be hired. And five decades later, her work remains iconic and celebrated.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Peretti's icon, the House launched the Bone cuff as part of its "With love, Since 1837" campaign. Reintroduced earlier this year, the campaign celebrates the love, craftmanship and rich heritage that defines Tiffany & Co. and is inspired by legendary window designer Gene Moore. It sheds light on the untold stories behind Tiffany's most iconic jewellery collections while modernising Moore's famous vitrines with imaginative storytelling.
The "With love, Since 1837" campaign imagery draws inspiration from Moore's whimsical window displays, merging the extraordinary with the ordinary. The Bone cuff imagery, specifically, nods to Peretti's cultural impact in fashion as well as design. A floating hand gesturing upward references her signature modelling poses, and a ladybug perched on the index finger, pays tribute to the famed Bone cuff advertisement shot by Hiro, Peretti's close friend and photographer.
The Bone cuff remains as modern and timeless as ever with its sensual, sculptural form. The design is carefully sculpted to fit the contours of both the left and right wrists to allow for the cuff to seamlessly blend with the body. It has since been adapted into a number of other designs, bearing in mind the same design intent.
Like the Bone cuff, the Bone ring showcases Peretti's talent to transform simple forms into symbols of beauty and elegance. The Split ring adds a subtle edge with its central split while still retaining every bit of Peretti's Bone cuff curvatures.
Few designs stand the test of time, but Peretti's jewellery continue to captivate with enduring style and beauty.
The Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff by Elsa Peretti collection is now available in stores and online.
