Fashion Is All Ears

Style, Editor's Pick

Fashion Is All Ears

By Charmaine Tan
March 15, 2023

All the ways fashion’s obsession with the ear has manifested by way of jewellery names like Boucheron, Mikimoto, and fashion brands like Gucci, Coperni and more.

It’s not news that earrings are for both men and women to wear. It’s not news either that earrings and ear cuffs have become some of the most interesting accessories brands are taking advantage of to showcase personality, on top of proving to the more gender-fluid fashion crowd that they are listening to the ground — piercings should no longer be a pre-requisite for dressing the ears. Or self-expression for that matter.

Over the past five years alone, the look of an ear cuff has complicated from mere glints in the sun to large contouring sculptures that are jewellery statements in their own right. Designs for the ear are getting more playful and inventive with placement and look; read on for the headlining pieces that could become classics of this young jewellery category.

Boucheron Octopus Earring (above)

Arguably one of the more experimental names in the high jewellery business is Boucheron, whose ear cuff agenda has been a mainstay ever since the Maison’s re-entry into the global fashion consciousness in recent years. One of the highlights of their ear cuff collection comes from the relatively new “Ailleurs HJ” collection, wherein a magnificent Octopus Earring (formed with 178 mother-of-pearl pastilles and 443 brilliant-cut paved diamonds, in white gold) sits as part of the Volcano Man range. Playing on just black and white, this sprawling piece derives notions of the “elsewhere” with Creative Director Claire Choisne’s penchant for impressionable jewellery.

Gucci Crystal Earcuff in Palladium Metal

From the Gucci Exquisite collection is this bejewelled Crystal ear cuff that is otherwise simple in look apart from its size. Worn here as a pair, it echoes the sentiments of many up-and-coming jewellery names who are looking to impress the male population — straightforward and statement-making, this ear cuff is a timeless accessory that can be worked into any get-up, from everyday to formal.

Prada Symbole Clip Right Earring

Logomania has risen and waned over the past few years so often that the only statement this movement is making is that logos matter. And what better way to embrace a code that can be as historic as Prada’s Symbole than making an ear cuff out of the sleek, triangular logo, wholesale? Reinterpreting Prada’s inherent punk influence in a modern way, this clip-on earring is an easy candy to throw on, especially if you are fond of Miuccia x Raf designs. Made of 925 sterling silver and finished either with enamel in black, white, blue or as a quartz stone, this single clip earring can be worn in any way the clip deems fastenable.

Chanel Coco Crush Ear Cuff

Chanel’s Coco Crush collection is practically made for its expansion into dressing the ear. With removable posts that can be replaced with clips, almost all of its quilted motif rings can transform into cuffs — which makes this iconic collection a wonder to play with when styling both his and her ear. This particular design combines 18K white gold and beige gold with 16 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.07 carats, and slips right on without fasteners.

Mikimoto Passionoir Black South Sea Cultured Pearl Ear Cuff

Mikimoto is the high jewellery home of pearls, and is also the name that singlehandedly brought pearl necklaces back into the forefront of street dressing with its legendary collaboration with Commes de Garçons. With a single pearl as the main feature in its ear cuffs, it highlights the act of accessorizing the ear with its distinctly bulbous shape; this black piece contrasts the innocence of pearls with the mystery of the colour black to create a sleek number from their Passionair collection. After combining an 8.99 x 8.5mm Black South Sea cultured pearl with a ring of silver plated in black rhodium, we get this irresistible, left-ear-only statement cuff — elegant yet powerful in solitude.

Alexander McQueen Silver Brass Ear Cuff

We can’t talk about ear cuffs without mentioning Alexander McQueen. There are two types of ear cuff offerings that come from this House — either the sculptural sort or the antique-looking kind that taps on the four icons (of dark romance) instilled by the namesake designer. But what remains the same throughout is the commitment to a kind of maximalism, as seen in this layered ear cuff of brass. It’s edgy, punk, heavy-weight and a keeper for those who dress with a hint of grunge in their wardrobe — the perfect accompaniment.

Wooyoungmi Cube Bold Ear Cuff

For the Paris-based brand, classic suiting and silhouettes will always remain at the forefront of their pieces. This is why this ear cuff echoes as such; the chunky cuff draws parallels to the signet ring, a piece of jewellery traditionally worn by men to display family insignias — wealth and power. Fronting this cubic-shaped ear cuff instead is the brand’s simple lettering logo, easy to work into a suit without removing the formalities of the outfit.

Coperni Earpod Earring

Ear cuffs can also be made into graphic shapes, for the ear is an ergonomic structure quite like no other — a unique base to play with, if you dare to. Coperni’s tongue-in-cheek Earpod Earring embraces the distinct shape of the Airpod and the ear’s shape in an extremely clever way, proving with this piece that digging deep into pop culture can elevate mundane everyday items into jewellery pieces that last beyond time.