Byredo's Ben Gorham: disrupting the business of fragrance

Gorham on his journey from playground jock to perfume revolutionary

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When the Mexican Revolution of 1910-20 devalued the national currency, enterprising blacksmiths found a new use for their Pesos: they were melted down to make chunky rings, then sold at a higher value. Post-war, the jewellery became more elaborate: coin rings were set with turquoises or onyx and engraved with snakes, crossbones and eagles. They caught the eye of tourists and also Californian biker gangs, who wore them in place of knuckledusters, which were outlawed in some states.

“All the [biker] clubs would cross the border and ll their knuckles with these rings,” says Ben Gorham, whose own rectangular model has a carved silver skull sporting a Native American headdress. “I have a few.”

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