Friendship, Cruciani Style

They used to be very popular when I was a young girl, decades ago.  They were called Friendship bracelets, then. They used to be made of vines, twigs, thread, cord, or rope, even rubber bands.  They were sometimes beaded, sequined, or charmed, or simply worn.  They were the reverent expressions of undying sisterhood between classmates, between sorority sisters, even between real sisters, and between best friends.  They were not expensive...being made of whatever materials we could find, or afford...but they were immensely valuable, loaded with sentiment, meaning, and fervent promise.

Well, they're baaaack!

And now they're brighter, bolder, and more beautiful, and brimming with a roster of new meaning from nothing to nirvana!

They've become the accessories of note of the stars and celebrities and fashionistas. Beyoncé, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Michelle Rodriguez, Dita Von Teese, Heidi Klump, Nicole Murphy, and Paris Hilton, to name but a few of the A listers and icons who sport not one, not two, but three or more macrame or lace bracelets made by Cruciani of Foligno, Italy.

Cruciani is the name of an Italian cashmere knitwear firm that has been saved from financial oblivion by this inexpensive trinket that was unveiled in Milan in 2011, and has since achieved cult status with a record 6 million bracelets sold!

The lace used for the bracelets was originally used by the firm to make traditional tablecloths, curtains, and bed linens.  The founder Arnaldo Caprai designed clovers in Italy's colors to celebrate the national day.  The son, Luca, now the company's CEO, saw a business opportunity to turn the clovers into inexpensive, fun, accessible, and trendy bracelets that were popular purchases on the beaches up and down the Mediterranean in the summer of 2011, a time when Italy's economy and the Cruciani company both faced very dim prospects.  And  the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, they come in so many colors, and designs.... There are hearts, four leaf clovers and roses, dolphins, stars, infinity loops, keys and padlocks, even Mickey Mouse, the hand of Our Lady of Fatima, and as many shapes as there are causes and human emotions and imagination.  They come in a rainbow of colors, and all the shades in between, both multi color and monochromatic. They are quickly becoming a girl's best friend, and the variant that contains real diamonds, probably more so!

There are also special commemorative designs to celebrate a new or current advocacy, a cause, a concern...from environmental protection, to aids and cancer awareness...or simply to express, as we were wont to do many moons ago, a sentiment.

But before you think it is only for the female gender, let me tell you that Cruciani bracelets are worn by hip men as well.  Metrosexuals, yuppies, screenagers, unite!

Maybe because it's the simplest, lightest, chic-est accessory of the 21st century... It's versatile, varied, and very hip, whatever your gender, gender preference, or age.

Maybe because it goes well singly, or in multiples, with any and all other bracelets, cuffs, watches that one already wears.  It softens the look of many a metallic wristlet, and enhances many profiles with complementing or contrasting colors!

Maybe because as an accessory, it can also stand for important issues and reminders in a fickle world.  As a gift, it can stand for emotions words can no longer express well. As a newfound status symbol, it can literally and truly mean the world.

They made the quaintest gifts this past Christmas, loved and appreciated by everyone who got them. Without fail, each Cruciani I saw opened was met by a shriek of surprise, and a squeal of delight!

With the coming of Valentine's Day and Proms round the corner, and Graduation not very far away either, these lace bracelets by Cruciani make a great gift idea, for the self, for lovers and loved ones, friends, and family.

Thankfully, in the Philippines, these Friendship bracelets, Cruciani style are available through Cruciani PH, managed by a kind of woman I call an Amazing Grace by the name of Alex.

So if you are in for a revival of a childhood ritual, or just want to have authentic Italian made affordable yet alluring accessories, or simply want to let the world know you stand for something that matters close to your heart or your conscience, or long to share a gift of friendship to a stranger, a loved one, a significant other, perhaps you can consider this endearing token...a blast from the past, now updated.