The trend inspired by children’s ‘play’ jewelry is now in full swing, and all the celebs and influencers are loving it. As 90’s inspired fashion is returning to the public eye, jewelry makers have seized the opportunity to put plastic jewelry back on the market. With the amount of attention placed on what celebs and influencers are sporting these days, it’s no surprise that these playful accessories are the new “it” item.
Jewelry makers are using plastic beads and materials to create fun, bright, and easy-to-wear products, making them the perfect addition to any simple or sophisticated look. These jewelry looks are oversized and bold and remind me of my middle school fashion- and I think that’s the point. With an additional nostalgic value at affordable prices, this type of jewelry is hard to get your hands on.
Because of the Instagrammable nature of this jewelry and influence from celebs like Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and Miley Cyrus, fashion enthusiasts around the world are following suit. Some smaller brands selling these items have seen lots of love lately, which is helping kickstart their business. Since this jewelry style can be easy to make by purchasing the materials at a craft store, some people have started making their own beaded jewelry and selling it to others.
Founder of Ian Charms, Lisa Sahakian, had no prior experience in jewelry design…
But she had the idea to start making original beaded necklaces and bracelets with pearl accents and happy colors. Since she never intended to make this a business, her brand didn’t come to life until the COVID19 pandemic hit and her paycheck was affected, Sahakian told UK Vogue. When Sahakian posted some designs to her Instagram, friends started wanting them, and Ian Charms was born.
Influencers like Devon Carlson, Madison Beer, and Emma Chamberlain have all been rocking cute pieces from Ian Charms. This has caused a wave of popularity for small jewelry-making businesses as they receive large amounts of support on Instagram and other social media platforms.
Other brands are known for their colorful, amorphous rings. Mexican artist Sofia Elias, founder of Blobb, makes stackable rings from resin.
She doesn’t use any molds, so each piece is unrepeatable. Elias’s inspiration comes from children and reminds her of her childhood because of their bright colors and ‘blobbiness,’ she tells Coeval Magazine. Her passion comes from a need to play and experiment with different materials, and her rings surely emulate this. No wonder many artists and creatives love them.
Another brand hopping on the bandwagon of this innovative style is La Manso.
Based in Barcelona, Adriana Manso started making these maximalist statement rings 3 years ago. She had always been making her own accessories by repurposing forgotten plastic pieces, and once the world saw them, her brand soon became a global business. The La Manso brand is an allude to her 90’s childhood, she tells Harper’s Bazaar. Each piece is artisanally made, under $100, and can also be recycled.
It’s refreshing to see success come to these hard-working women who combine their creativity, business skills, and childhood memories while also using eco-friendly materials. As fashion is upcycled throughout the years, so is this style of jewelry, and I don’t believe the demand will die out any time soon.