In every friendship circle, there’s always that one swaggy dude who rocks the kind of stuff other lads can’t pronounce and spots trends months before they make it to the mainstream. In recent times, this guy has been sporting the kind of mens jewellery you might once have called ‘feminine’ – think pearl necklaces, beaded bracelets, flowery studs and gemstone rings. Whether he’s doing it for fashion or fending off the haters, we salute this style-forward gentleman.
While he might be one of the more recognizable faces of mens jewelry, there are plenty of other brands on the scene, too. The likes of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Mateo’s minimal metal pieces are perfect everyday staples; refined, but not too precious. Norwegian brand Tom Wood offers minimalist sneaker-like chains, while London jeweller Bleue Burnham has a foot in androgyny and another in iconography, designing pieces that reference items from popular culture (think razor blades, pills and knifes). Other contemporary jewellery labels are taking an eclectic approach. For example, Brooklyn-based Alan Crocetti’s eponymous line focuses solely on redefining the status quo of men’s jewellery by turning to overlooked and unexpected sources of beauty for inspiration (think animals, fire and sand). Himo Martin takes the same approach with his brand Pearls Before Swine, where each piece is named after the international unit of measurement and is handmade and polished to the highest standards.
For those with an artisanal bent, there’s the likes of New York-based MANSSION. This brand designs bracelets, necklaces and earrings with a touch of whimsy, using woven leather, beads and stones in its creations. And, there’s London-based Maor Cohen, who uses bright stones and natural shapes in his work to give pieces an exotic, offbeat feel.
Similarly, American brand John Hardy has long been a favorite of stylish men – and, indeed, menswear designers. This season, the label has reimagined traditional men’s jewellery by introducing bold and sculptural pieces. The result is a collection of statement necklaces and cufflinks that’ll be sure to turn heads.