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🔒 An Icon of Eternal Love: The Cartier Love Bangle

The Bracelet That Redefined Love


A Modern Love Story Born in the 1960s


Aldo Cipullo c1978. Image: Renato Cipullo.
Aldo Cipullo c1978. Image: Renato Cipullo.

In 1969, Italian-born designer Aldo Cipullo, working for Cartier New York, created what would become one of the most iconic pieces of jewellery ever made - the Cartier Love Bangle. Unlike traditional bracelets that simply slipped on, this one was different. Its oval shape followed the natural curve of the wrist, and it could only be fastened us

ing a small screwdriver.


Cipullo’s inspiration came from the idea of permanence - love that could not be easily taken off. The concept was both romantic and revolutionary: two halves secured together, just like two people bound by commitment.


Love in Lock Form


Cartier Love Bangle advertisement. Image: Cartier.
Cartier Love Bangle advertisement. Image: Cartier.

At its launch, Cartier presented the Love Bangle not as a piece of jewellery, but as a manifesto of

modern love. In an era of free spirit and social revolution, Cipullo created something that blended sentiment with structure — freedom with devotion.


To market the launch of the Love Bangle, Cartier gifted 25 celebrity couples with their own Love Bangles, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, The Duke & Duchess of Windsor, Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen who went on to wear their bangles for years to come.



Elizabeth Taylor wearing her Cartier Love Bangle. Image: © Everett/REX/Shutterstock
Elizabeth Taylor wearing her Cartier Love Bangle. Image: © Everett/REX/Shutterstock

Made in yellow, rose, or white gold, and later adorned with diamonds, the bangle quickly became a symbol of status and sincerity. Celebrities, royalty, and artists embraced it not only as a fashion statement but as a personal emblem of connection.


From New York to the World


Over five decades later, the Cartier Love Bangle has lost none of its allure. It’s been spotted on everyone from Kylie Jenner to Meghan Markle, proving that true icons never fade - they evolve.


But the real power of the Love Bangle lies not in who wears it, but in why it’s worn. For some, it’s a romantic gift; for others, a celebration of personal milestones — a reminder that love, in all its forms, should be held onto tightly.


The Emotional Resonance

Rose Huntington Whitely in British Vogue 2021. Image: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott 
Rose Huntington Whitely in British Vogue 2021. Image: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott 

Unlike other pieces of jewellery that can be slipped on and off, the Love Bangle’s screwdriver design creates an emotional ritual. It invites reflection, patience, and intention - love that takes effort.


That’s why the bracelet continues to resonate across generations: it isn’t just gold, it’s symbolism made tangible. It represents the idea that love isn’t fleeting or easy, but precious — something to be protected, locked, and cherished.



 
 
 

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