Andy’s Candy

STYLING: GABBY PRESCOD. SUIT AND SHIRT: TOM FORD. CUFFLINK AND BRACELET: TATEOSSIAN.

The London-based jewelry and accessories brand Tateossian carries a name so synonymous with cufflinks that many have dubbed its founder and designer, Robert Tateossian, the “king of cufflinks.” For a summer edition of “Andy’s Candy,” and in honor of Tateossian’s 25th anniversary this year, Tateossian crafted Interview an exclusive, Andy Warhol-inspired pair. The vibrant set take their visual cue from the iconic floral paintings Warhol created in the ’60s, featuring the pop art coloring that Robert Tateossian calls “intrinsically Warhol.” These playful but polished cufflinks are primed to pep up a summer suit, adding a playful touch to an otherwise traditional ensemble.

In addition to taking a look back at Warhol’s archive for this anniversary collaboration, the label returned to their own, seeking out classic, best-selling pieces from their history—such as their globe and gear cufflinks—to revisit for their 25th Anniversary Collection. “We updated these styles by giving them a plating,” Tateossian explains. “The Rhodium silver finish has been changed to a gunmetal finish which is very much in vogue.” In addition, each piece is completed with a Paraiba Topaz, a glowing turquoise touch that matches the brand’s signature color. This attention to detail is not surprising considering Robert Tateossian’s own history with cufflinks. “I remember my first pair,” he tells us, fondly recalling his traditional English gold oval set that was monogrammed with his initials. “Thirty years ago…[cufflinks] tended to be an heirloom passed from one generation to the next.”

A nostalgia and reverence toward the past doesn’t restrict Tateossian; while remaining steeped in tradition, the brand continues to look forward, cementing its future through collaborations and modern twists on “the perfect gentlemen’s accessory.” The Pill XXV project, the result of a partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, is yet another collection marking the brand’s 25-year anniversary. “We wanted to do something that actually made a difference in the world,” Tateossian tells us. The collection’s concept traces back to the idea that a single pill a day can improve, and even save, the life of someone who is affected by HIV. The collection includes bracelets, necklaces, pins, and of course, cufflinks, all featuring the pill shape; some are set with diamonds and an 18-karat gold band, while others are made of enamel and stainless steel. A portion of each item’s proceeds supports the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s admirable aim of working toward an AIDS-free future. Perhaps in another 25 years, a pair of cufflinks from this collection will be a new Tateossian classic, to be passed down as a marker of an eradicated disease.