A great return of the pins

Brooches enjoy renewed interest today. An accessory, jewel or bijoux, only apparently obsolete, which today returns to embellish jackets and suits of women and men from the winter 2024 collections. In January on the red carpet of the Golden Globe, the famous US cinema and TV award, the brooches have adorned coats, dresses, shirts and hats with everlasting elegance and bursts of creative flair.

Brooches have an ancient history. Initially made of bone or stone, then metal, they were simple fasteners for cloaks, tunics and shawls. The Cretans were the first to use them also with a decorative function, using precious materials such as gold and ivory and shapes designed to resemble elements of nature. The gesture of wearing pins spread throughout Greek and Roman civilization and became a real accessory with a social message.

A curiosity: among the most basic forms of brooch we all know the safety pin, well, its history is funny and deserves closure. It is 1849 and Mr. Walter Hunt, worried about the payment of a debt, nervously plays with a piece of wire and, completely by chance, creates a round end that allows the tip to be inserted.
He patents his invention for 400 dollars, pays off his debt and creates this basic pin, so safe that it will be used by nurses to close baby diapers.

Elisa D'Adamo
NP February 2024