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РусскийRobert Tateossian: The “King of Cufflinks” returns to his roots
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Who can be as delicate as Robert Tateossian when it comes to choosing cufflinks? It is not by chance that the British businessman of Armenian origin has been named the “King of Cufflinks”. He is currently in Yerevan and had a collection of Rare Stones on the sides of his shirt that were the only cufflinks that Robert had chosen for the occasion.
“It is a great honor for me to be here. I have Armenian roots, and I have come to Yerevan with great pleasure and a feeling of great honor. In a way, this is a return to my roots, which I am very proud of,” Robert Tateossian said.
Established in 1990, Tateossian London is involved in the design and production of high-class jewels and has become internationally recognized for its high-class cufflinks.
It all started when Robert Tateossian decided to start his own business after working in the banking sphere for nearly seven years. He was 27 years old and had three wishes.
“First, I wanted to make an appearance in the world of fashion. Secondly, I wanted to be self-employed. Finally, I discovered a huge flaw in the jewelry market, and I’m referring to cufflinks. In order to make a serious impression in the banking sphere, you have to have those cufflinks,” Robert said.
The “King of Cufflinks” also mentioned that men usually had a pair of these items that they inherited from their fathers. “There was no variety in stores. An issue arose-people change 3-4 shirts and ties every season so that the colors match, but the cufflinks remain the same.”
Robert Tateossian started producing cufflinks, and the idea of having a collection of cufflinks started tempting customers. “Then, I started receiving offers for creating bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
In addition to my men’s collections, they wanted me to make jewels for women as well. One thing led to another, and I started creating collections of jewels and accessories for men and women.”
The roots of Robert Tateossian: “My grandfather, Mkrtich, was from Adana. During the war, he and my grandmother Hripsime moved to Lebanon, and my father was born in Lebanon. My mother was a Palestinian living in Lebanon. I was born in Kuwait and then lived in Rome. My home is now in London where I have been living for 27 years. I must also mention that my father and grandfather were mechanics.”
Speaking of his Armenian roots, Robert Tateossian said the following: “This is something that I am just beginning to get acquainted with. I have gotten in touch with my identity in the past couple of years and the Armenian world has started opening up for me.”
Robert Tateossian loves to travel around the world, and this is his first visit to Yerevan.
“I was very amazed to see how modern and clean Yerevan is. I didn’t expect it to be like that. I travel almost every week. I have seen many airports, but I was very surprised by the state-of-the-art airport in Armenia. It portrays a good image of Armenia. When they asked me if I was Armenian after reading my last name at the airport, I said “yes”.”
Besides opening a store-hall in Yerevan, the British businessman intends to start a production here. “I only consider the boutique a starting point. I am sure that I will have many more things to do in Armenia. I always need inspiration from different sources to plan my collections. Armenia has a rich cultural heritage, and I see two possibilities for doing business here in the future.”
Tateossian London designs cufflinks for fashion homes such as Zegna, Canali and Corneliani and sells its products in more than 50 countries around the world.
“The collection offered at the boutique in Yerevan will always be updated, just like the boutique in London. We produce two collections a year. Anyone who wants to have a unique jewel can have one by spending from 150 to 10,000 dollars,” Robert Tateossian mentioned.
“We found Mr. Tateossian through the program called “Armenian World”. The goal of this program is to introduce potential Armenian consumers to Armenian producers, identify famous Armenian producers around the world and try to awaken in them the desire of being Armenian. In Tateossian’s case, that was easily a success and he showed that through his visit,” creator of the program “Armenian World” broadcast on Shant TV’s program called “To Armenians Around the World” Artyom Yerkanyan.
Text: Lilit Babayan (Bravo.am)
Photos: Aghvan Khachatryan (Bravo.am) and
Robert Tateossian’s personal archive
