Initially, it was an experiment to display 3D printed accessories for a theme party, and later it quickly developed into a mature brand. Grégoire de Bellefroid and Gaétan Bücken made airplane-shaped cufflinks to impress their friends and follow “oohs” and “aahs” at aviation-themed parties, and they soon established Gregson & Buck.
Today, their jewelry brand in Brussels is using 3D printing to help customers create a cufflink that makes special occasions even more special.
From an idea to takeoff
The founder said that they had just purchased a brand new 3D printer and “were discussing the power of this technology with some friends when the discussion switched over to an upcoming theme party based on The Aviator movie.”
“The hosts were really good friends of ours so we wanted to go above and beyond with our costumes. We got challenged to make something using 3D printing and decided to design and print unique airplane cufflinks.”
“We then arrived at the party as pilots. Everyone had a good laugh, and was pretty impressed, when they saw our cufflinks!”
They soon started selling products on Etsy. “That was an important step for us to meet our first customers and gather invaluable feedback. Very soon we wanted to have our own personal space to offer our products.”
This desire led them to create a website, an online boutique specializing in men’s clothing. “Men don’t have many fashion accessories,” Grigor and Gaétan pointed out. “In addition to ties and watches, cufflinks can also be used as good accessories to personalize your clothes and match them with your identity and what you want to express.”
A design for every taste
Customized cufflinks can be printed according to logos or drawings provided by customers. “Through this co-creation technology, customers can think of ideas and sketches, and we guide them to make their favorite jewelry that truly represents them.” The cufflinks that the wearer actually plays a role in the design are really special.
The flexibility of 3D design has unleashed the potential of high-end, truly customized works that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods. The strong combination of 3D printing and Grégoire’s desire to “inspire men to express their personality through fashion accessories” makes Gregson & Buck’s cufflinks different from those sold in stores.
“Cufflinks are not everyday fashion accessories that we are considering today, but in formal wear, this is still something I remember. Among our entourage, some of our friends even wear cufflinks at work every day.”
“Although classic button shirts are closely related to our daily lives, cufflinks are destined for a single event to convey timeless elegance and reflect tradition and tradition.”
Knot with custom cufflinks
“We think high-end cufflinks are real jewelry. Therefore, when you want to give something other than a watch, we think they are a great gift for men.”
Many grooms imagine giving groomsmen gifts, which can actually be worn and enjoyed on the wedding day and on other occasions. According to Grégoire and Gaétan, the best man gift should be a special, unique, and masculine-evoking personal style, hobbies, and even vices. Of course, a pair of custom cufflinks can meet all these requirements and can last a lifetime.
The brides have also been looking for meaningful gifts for future husbands. What is more special than what they created from the bottom of their hearts?
“Most of our cufflinks are made for weddings and are gifts from brides to their husbands.” Custom monogram cufflinks are very popular. These cufflinks contain up to three different letters, and can even be made of many different materials by i.materialise-silver, brass, steel, etc., and also provide “an opportunity to emphasize personal style and personality.”
“The best feeling we got was when the client sent us an email saying they liked the cufflinks they received, and the groom would look great on the wedding day. In the same direction, when the client asked us We will love it when sending wedding photos showing cufflinks.”
Future plans for custom cufflinks
Gregson & Buck plans to allow customers to design cufflinks entirely on their own.
“We will soon launch an online 3D customizer application where visitors can design their own cufflinks. This will bring huge added value to our customers and will also simplify the ordering process through i.materialise.”
With 3D printing and its cufflink design application, the customer’s only limit is their imagination. Of course, if customers are in trouble, Grégoire and Gaétan will continue to provide their expertise.
The world is on course to be a more dapper place thanks to Gregson & Buck.