Latest news with #maximalism
Vogue Arabia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
The Rise of Playful Proportions: Inside the World of Fashion's Most Joyful Silhouette
Gone are the days when minimalism reigned supreme and proportions played it safe. As Coco Chanel once said 'fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.' And In 2025 that architecture is being reimagined – through asymmetry, drama and deliberate imbalance, fashion is finally shedding its obsession with restraint and symmetry. The message? Proportions are no longer a matter of balance but of boldness. From voluminous sleeves that seem to float midair to sharply exaggerated tailoring which borders on the theatrical, the fashion world is embracing a new aesthetic vocabulary – playful proportions. This isn't just a passing trend – it is a bold reimagining of elegance, where individuality takes centre stage and maximalism is no longer a rebellion. Tracee Ellis Ross in Marc Jacobs at the Met Gala Amina Khalil in Rami Kadi at Cannes At the MetGala 2025, Tracee Ellis Ross's striking Marc Jacobs ensemble, featuring exaggerated wide legged trousers and a sculptural satin bow at the waist was the perfect example of how a voluminous silhouette transforms classic tailoring into high fashion drama. At Cannes 2025, Amina Khalil, wore a custom Rami Kadi gown with a sculpted bodice and cascading feathered tiers, a striking balance between softness and structure. On the runway On recent runways, fashion houses took to inflating silhouettes and a touch of playfulness. From YSL's sloped and elongated shoulders and voluminous ball gowns to Schiaparelli's carefully engineered construction of silhouettes. Rami Al Ali's Spring/Summer 2025, was an architectural marvel with geometric motifs which disrupted the symmetry of the otherwise sleek silhouettes. Ashi Studio's immense Balloon skirt created an intentional imbalance and exaggerated volume in a theatrical way. They show that awkward proportions and layering doesn't have to be over the top – they can be elegant and wearable too. Why is fashion leaning into this imbalance? At first, playful proportions might look like just a fun and impractical trend. But if you look closer, it's a natural reaction to the visual fatigue of minimal, plain fashion. It's less like a trend and more like a philosophy. Now, after the pandemic and the quiet luxury trend, people are moving back towards bold styles that show personality, creativity, and joy. The desire to break free, advocating for fun and expressive fashion and the appetite for emotions, personality, and visual excitement is definitely knocking our doors. High street brands are replicating the look with unexpected creativity – ballooned sleeves, wide cut pants, trapeze shaped coats, they are making fashion fun again for the average consumer. The desire to reject perfection and embrace individuality reflects how people, especially Gen Z and social creators, want to stand out and celebrate their complexities. Fashion creators' search history probably reads like a modern style manifesto: oversized jackets, statement sleeves, layered looks. This shows that fashion creators are looking for more volume, drama and excitement. It helps them break traditional fashion rules, turning garments into bold statements of identity and creativity. It does not only amplify one's volume but demands attention allowing for personal expression which says more is more.
CBC
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Inside a vibrant 1930s home bursting with punchy prints and colour
Step into a designer's home and you might expect to find an impressive living example of their portfolio — and Cynthia Ferguson's house in Toronto's Lawrence Park neighbourhood certainly delivers. Every room showcases her eclectic esthetic, and while touring through them, one can't help but admire her expert skill at making whimsical prints and hues work in harmony. Ferguson defines her home's decor as maximalist, and she cops to the conundrum that can create in compact spaces like hers. "When you're dealing with such a small house, you can't have a room that's weaker than the others," she says in this episode of On the Inside. "Now that one's plain Jane and the other ones are amped up." This meant turning her expert eye toward every last detail. The interior of my home is traditional, layered and a riot of colour and pattern. But while her house now makes an impact at nearly every turn, it's also a study of the steady hand it takes to pull maximalism off well. Colour is considered carefully in Ferguson's home. She notes that blue is a subtle through line in her house — but not just any blue. "My blue has an undertone of red, and that meant that as I moved through my home, I couldn't change to a blue that had a different undertone," she says. "The blues would have actually clashed." And in her kitchen, "the busiest room of the house," Ferguson chose to create a visual break. "Having the walls white allows us to have a neutral palette in here and allows us to have a rest in between all the colour-filled rooms," she says. Nothing is haphazard in my home as it is so small. Each piece is carefully thought out and purposeful. Ferguson's favourite room in her home is the family room, with its roomy couch and bright, pickle green paint. "Green gives energy," says Ferguson. "It always feels fresh." Upstairs, Ferguson went bold in a different way, painting the walls of her bedroom black — a risk she debated. But she went for it after considering what she'd tell a client: "It's only paint!" She then layered in hits of pink and a playful print throughout the space — again, with a strategic mindset. "Because the room's small," Ferguson explains, "I decided to keep repeating the same fabric so that it didn't become too busy — on the drapery, on the lines and on my upholstered bed. That way, your eye is really just seeing a repeated pattern." Watch this episode of On the Inside to see Ferguson's stunning, skillfully layered rooms, and read on for more about her approach to decorating her own home. Cynthia Ferguson on home decor and design (As told to CBC Life. These answers have been edited and condensed.) The interior of my home is traditional, layered, and a riot of colour and pattern. It is meant to provide eye candy no matter where you sit in each room. I like to say there is no bad seat in the house! Each room in my house is deeply personal. They tell a story. The collections in my living room display my passions for British antiques, for instance. The art on the walls throughout my home show my love for the Maritimes if you look carefully. I start with what I absolutely love, always, and build out from there. It might be a piece of art, or a fabric and then the function must be carefully considered. My home needs to be joyful and approachable. There isn't a room in my house [where] you cannot put your feet up on a coffee table. My interiors are to be lived in and enjoyed by my family. The materials in my home are carefully considered as they need to last. The most heavily used pieces — like my family room sofa — need a woven fabric so [they're] more durable. I chose a woven sisal rug for my family room as well, so when we barbecue all year round, the sisal takes the brunt of the wear and tear of going out the back door in rain and snow. My hardwood floors take a beating, so I selected a satin finish to help with durability. Smaller rooms look their best with larger pieces in them — the scale of furniture and lighting is so paramount to good decorating. I also feel that in smaller spaces, making sure that each piece of furniture has an element of storage is imperative. When I am purchasing an antique, even, it must have storage. Each piece must serve a purpose from a functional point of view, not just be pretty.
Irish Times
31-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Why restraining yourself at the garden centre will lead to a more beautiful garden
In a world where maximalism is king, restraint can feel like an old-fashioned concept. Why grow just a couple of different varieties of roses, goes the thinking, when we have space for at least a dozen? Why limit ourselves to a particular colour palette when instead we could enjoy the full kaleidoscope ? Why bother restricting our choices at all, when before us lies the tantalising promise of so much beauty? Self-restraint when you're new to gardening is especially challenging. Faced with a universe of different possibilities, a cornucopia of choice, we can be like kids in the world's best sweetshop, chasing the most powerful of sugar rushes. Logical thinking often goes out the window. Beguilingly beautiful plants that are entirely unsuitable for our gardens or allotments' growing conditions, or for which we have no available growing space, seduce us at summer shows and plant fairs. Gardeners with dry, shady plots impulse-buy inky-blue delphiniums and bearded irises. Others, with hot sunny gardens, succumb to the lofty, leafy charm of shade-loving tree ferns, or the refined elegance of Japanese acers. Dazzled by their sparkling good looks, we buy single potted alliums in bloom at crazy prices, when we could buy 20 or 30 of their fleshy bulbs for the same amount in autumn. Or yet more trays of bedding plants, just because they're being sold at a knock-down price. It's only later that buyer's remorse kicks in. [ Six easy tips for making your garden planters last all summer in Ireland Opens in new window ] Some people fortunate to have hot sunny gardens wind up succumbing to the attraction of shade-loving tree ferns. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA As a gardener capable only of intermittent self-restraint myself, I'm inevitably the proud owner of far too many plants. The current tally includes a bull bay magnolia plus a dozen hydrangeas begging for their own patch of ground. Also, several choice varieties of physocarpus; one gooseberry bush now starting to sulk because of the pot-bound nature of its existence; one winter jasmine (no idea why I bought this); a white-flowering variety of Clematis montana (a rampageous climber, but oh-so pretty in spring); and far too many young seedlings of annuals, biennials and perennials that I didn't have the willpower to resist sowing earlier this spring in the first heady rush of the growing season. READ MORE Temptation to buy is everywhere in the garden centre. These aside, a growing collection of plants, which is as much the result of my impulse buying as it is of thoughtful planning is simultaneously filling up the sprawling sunny beds around our home. It includes yet more roses, a choice variety of euphorbia that I know will get too big, a compact variety of lilac that already looks entirely out of place, and some dusty pink Californian poppies that I couldn't resist. Like an ex-smoker trying to stay off cigarettes, I'm confronted by the fact that self-restraint takes considerable, sustained effort, and that I'm just not always up to the task. [ What are the best vegetables and fruits to grow in a polytunnel? Opens in new window ] Still, I'm determined to try, driven by the knowledge that it pays rich dividends, including some that only become obvious many years later. Self-restraint avoids, for example, the common dilemma of the overly stuffed, middle-aged garden, where every plant is much loved, but the problem is that there are simply too many, and they're planted too closely together. Similarly, it often neatly sidesteps the equally common pitfall of planting trees and shrubs in unsuitable places where they then slowly get too big for their boots, obscuring light and views until they eventually force us to contemplate the gloomy necessity of cutting them down. Self-restraint also reduces the chances of sad plants languishing in pots while they wait for a permanent home, or dying a slow death because they've been shoehorned into an unsuitable spot in the garden. It means no unwanted varieties of fruit and vegetables planted on a whim, before the realisation dawned that we didn't want or need three rows of courgettes, or four kinds of beetroot. It also means fewer weary hours of hard labour spent digging up plants to move them to a more suitable spot, and less time wasted watering and mollycoddling others that had to be planted at the height of summer just because we fell instantly, madly, deeply in love with them. Colour and spice ... and all things nice. Photograph: Fennell Boring as it might sound, self-restraint in the garden also helps give coherence to a planting scheme, one where the plants' individual qualities have been thoughtfully considered in terms of their combined effect. Equally, it limits the chances of clashing colour combinations, or of ending up with short-lived wonders with a limited season of interest, or plants that quickly bully their neighbours into submission. Instead, restrained gardens have a 'rightness' about them akin to looking effortlessly well-dressed. Except, of course, that they're anything but effortless. The only danger is when that valuable self-restraint tips over into rigid self-control. I'm glad, for example, of the impulse buy of an assortment of climbing and rambling roses subsequently used to cloak an old tumbledown stone outbuilding in the garden. Nor do I regret my spur-of-the-moment decision to plant a Persian ironwood, or to sow a late, second batch of white cosmos to stretch out their flowering season. I'm even glad of the single, orange Californian poppy that recently spontaneously self-seeded itself into an otherwise very pale colour scheme. I did, I admit, briefly consider pulling it out before sternly stopping myself, proof that these two, seemingly opposite qualities – spontaneity and self-restraint – are much more comfortable bedfellows than we gardeners might initially assume. This week in the garden This is a great time of year to propagate a wide variety of perennials, shrubs and trees by taking softwood cuttings of young, fresh, healthy growth, a quick, easy and very affordable way to stock a new garden. See for step-by-step instructions. Make sure to give dahalias a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and rich, moisture-retentive but free draining soil. Photograph:Dahlias potted up under cover earlier this spring should now be planted out into their permanent position in the garden or allotment, making sure to give them a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and a rich, moisture-retentive but free draining soil, ideally enriched with some well-rotted manure and a little slow release pelleted organic fertiliser. Soak the root-balls in a weak solution of liquid seaweed feed before planting to give them a head start. Dates for your diary Bord Bia Bloom at the Phoenix Park: Continuing until June 2nd, see It's that time of year once again: Bloom in the Phoenix Park Buds & Blossom Garden Show: Spink, Community Grounds, Abbeyleix, County Laois, Sunday, June 8th (12pm-6pm). With guest speakers John Jones, Colin Jones and Tom Coward, plus specialist plant sales by many of Ireland best small, independent nurseries. Rathmines Open Gardens 2025: Sunday, June 8th, (2pm-6pm). Several private gardens open their doors to the public in aid of charity, along with Trinity Botanic Garden. See or contact Michael Kelly on 087-6697722 for details.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 15 Best Nordstrom Accessories Under $100 That'll Make Spring Outfits Look Expensive
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission. A new season doesn't always require a slew of new fashion pieces, but if you're looking for cool accoutrements to spruce up your current closet favorites, Nordstrom is the one-stop shop for spring accessories with price tags under $100. (Yes, you can look fashionable and save some of your hard-earned money for that upcoming summer vacation.) More from WWD Celebrity Fashion Matchmaker Lucio Di Rosa Is Coming to New York Perseverance, Passion and Grit: Key Messages From LIM College's 86th Commencement Ceremony The 13 Best Tennis Bracelets That'll Become Your Everyday Jewelry Staples 'Quiet luxury' and 'stealth wealth' might've ruled fashion aesthetics in past years — skyrocketed to prominence by shows like 'Succession,' in which characters sported neutrals-heavy ensembles that steered away from logo-centrism — but 2025 is undoubtedly the year of the return to maximalism. A period of '80s-era excess and power dressing has officially commenced, termed 'boom boom' by trend forecaster Sean Monahan and promptly embraced on TikTok and beyond. Shoulder pads are in for fall 2025 and so are other details that read unabashedly, authentically bold instead of being chained to the incessant trend cycle. Designers' spring 2025 collections, too, encourage you to get with the program right now. Saint Laurent showed us how to do it with metallic lace blouses and multihued brocade jackets. Schiaparelli — a brand known for an aesthetic that's the antithesis of '90s minimalism — delighted us with exaggerated proportions, floral appliqués, and zebra print fashions. Tory Burch chose color-blocking as the preferred mode of expression and took commonplace pieces to new heights (a sequined swimsuit was the talk of the town after the label's runway presentation). If bold fashions and eye-catching clothing separates might not fit your style aesthetic, we recommend adding some fashion flair to your everyday outfits with these Nordstrom spring statement accessories that dress up everyday wardrobe basics. Nordstrom's new spring arrivals feature a fresh sprinkling of under-$100 accessories that deliver both unbeatable value and instant eye-candy allure, including jewelry, sunglasses, footwear, and hair adornments. Everything here is on-trend, too. Vans' low-profile sneakers, for example, honor our collective fascination with retro runners; Quay's acetate aviators match the style of those worn by your favorite A-listers; a Coach pretzel bauble feeds the hype around bag charms, as well as the search term's overwhelming chokehold on TikTok; and a silk, Nordstrom-made scarf will make you the best-dressed foreigner on your Euro Summer vacation. Shopping at Nordstrom is never a bad idea in general, because the retailer truly makes it the most pleasant experience via perks and exclusive sale access. Joining the Nordy Club, for example, allows you to rack up points with every purchase, enjoy access to members-only discount events, and take advantage of free, two-day shipping to select areas. This insider's club is absolutely free, by the way, but you can also elevate your status by signing up for a Nordstrom credit or debit card (which promises further bells and whistles). More importantly, Nordstrom stages one of the biggest shopping happenings of the year, what with its summertime Anniversary Sale during which the hottest picks see hype-worthy discounts. Don't wait until the middle of the summer to snag these popular under-$100 finds, though; accessories this great, after all, don't stay in stock for long! Now, onto some savvy spring shopping curated by WWD editors. Happy styling!$80 Buy Now at nordstrom Canvas totes are a year-round essential, but these lightweight purses that function as work bags and everyday bags are especially important for the warm-weather season when a heavy leather carrier simply won't do. Thankfully, Nordstrom has plenty of new releases to choose from, like this fresh-as-can-be yellow Aldo style. Bedecked with joy-inspiring stripes and a cutesy lemon charm, it also features a removable zip pouch for holding smaller valuables and bridge-clip plus magnetic closure (this latter point will give you peace of mind that your beach towels, sunscreen, and sandals pair won't fall out). Picture the bag standing at the ready as you sip sangria poolside in a couple of months, and proceed to add to cart. Price upon publish date of this article: $80 $30 Buy Now at nordstrom Love the boho trend? This corded, gold-plated pendant is the just the thing your jewelry box is missing. Layered over a flowy top or one of the best spring dresses, the necklace from Nordstrom's Open Edit brand will be a statement piece that completes the look. For making more casual outfits dressier, pair it with a simple white tee, straight-leg jeans, and other gold jewelry essentials like huggie earrings or bangle bracelets. That central hag stone–shaped detail will catch the light and make you shine all the upon publish date of this article: $30 $49 Buy Now at nordstrom A printed silk scarf is a secret style weapon that can be wrapped around your bag handles, neck, or head in a display of Audrey Hepburn–worthy class. This particular Nordstrom style is evocative of a spring garden at full bloom, which is sure to add some much-appreciated, florals-powered interest to your daily wardrobe upon publish date of this article: $49 $46.75 $85 45% off Buy Now at nordstrom In the '70s, Jackie Kennedy put oversized sunglasses at the forefront of the fashion conversation. Pay homage to the sunglass trend that had a Y2K resurgence with Le Specs' Polydisco Square Sunglasses, which will quite literally have you seeing your life through rose-colored lenses. Price upon publish date of this article: $46.75 $95 Buy Now at nordstrom There are endless ways to style a Coach bag, and a good entry point into elevating your go-to Tabby is by grabbing an under-$100 charm from the beloved brand. While its Cherry Bag Charm still reigns supreme (it was the fourth hottest product on the Lyst Index's Q4 2024 trend report), consider moving to more savory pastures with this pretzel bag ornament, whose glossy resin and faux salt sprinkles are tempting us to take a bite. Equipped with a key ring, it's something that will keep your daily must-haves organized and at the ready while serving up an undeniably infectious, NYC-inspired upon publish date of this article: $95 $45 Buy Now at nordstrom The best Apple Watch bands aptly demonstrate that technology and high fashion can be friends. This stainless steel and pavé crystal creation from The Posh Tech additionally proves that lots of shimmer can (and should) be involved in the process of icing out your wrist. Able to fit any Apple Watch model, the wrist accessory is elegance incarnate: studded by stunning-and-shiny gems that make it easy to sport the wearable tech in collaboration with a little black dress. Price upon publish date of this article: $45 $33.60 $42 20% off Buy Now at nordstrom Though Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's iconic tortoiseshell headband was a bit wider than this Nordstrom pick, it's an easy and affordable addition to your OOTD that channels the late icon's personal style. Crafted out of acetate, the headband will serve as the finishing touch on your dream 'do while granting a snug fit that holds back pesky flyaways. There's no shortage of styling inspiration on TikTok that positions this accessory as the epitome of French sophistication, so waste no time in matching it with oversized shades, a girlie-girl linen dress, and your favorite pair of pumps. Price upon publish date of this article: $33.60 $99 Buy Now at nordstrom JW Pei's bags are beloved by stars from Selena Gomez and Mindy Kaling to Anne Hathaway and Lupita Nyong'o — and for good reason. The affordable luxury bag brand taps into today's top designer bag trends with a price tag that won't break the bank. This faux suede wonder aces the slouchy bag obsession of the spring 2025 season and works as a trusty catchall for every girl-on-the-go. A comfortable shoulder strap, interior card slot, and Pantone Color of the Year–adjacent shade deliver the ideal balance of style and function. Price upon publish date of this article: $99 $85 Buy Now at nordstrom Large acetate aviators are taking over the eyewear industry this spring — and celebs from Angelina Jolie to Kendall Jenner are fully on board with their chunky nature. Does this mean barely there oval shades are out? Not necessarily, but, as these aviators from Quay make clear, more is more right now as far as what we shield our eyes with. The Set List Aviator Sunglasses' '70s-style edge, all large frames and green-tinted lenses, will bless your closet staples with some retro upon publish date of this article: $85 $85 Buy Now at nordstrom It's uncommon these days to find a trusty sneaker under $100 (not to mention $90), so these Vans' affordable price point, top-quality craftsmanship, and covetable aesthetic makes them a rare footwear find. The popular Vans Super Lowpro — especially in a dusty pink, per the current adoration of color-happy kicks — win big in every department. Their retro silhouette will go perfectly with tailored, prim-and-proper trousers or else a billowing floral dress (one look at Loewe's spring 2025 runway highlights is all that's needed for inspiration), while those waffle rubber soles ensure comfort even on your most taxing upon publish date of this article: $85 $60 Buy Now at nordstrom If you're struggling to find ways to infuse joie de vivre into that starched button-up you wear to work every Wednesday or a denim dress that's also in constant rotation, allow us introduce you to these jewels, which exude timelessness by way of 18-karat gold and freshwater pearls. Not settling on being just any pair of drop earrings, they wrap your lobes and offer priceless dimension — something you can flaunt from morning to night and back again, turning up the glam on every last outfit upon publish date of this article: $60 $68 Buy Now at nordstrom It shouldn't take an influencer's tropical vacation to convince you that raffia is hot — hotter still when used on clutches and done up in a vibrant color palette, as was seen in spring 2025's trendiest accessories at fashion shows last year. Made for only the essentials, this bag is handwoven by Balinese artisans and is a tactile treasure that you can carry from breakfast to the beach to the club. Yes, it's that multifunctional and, in case of spills or stains, can be easily wiped clean so that nothing stands between you and the summery look of your dreams. Price upon publish date of this article: $68 $14.99 Buy Now at nordstrom Match this dad cap with a spring trench coat and you'll be the coolest city slicker within a hundred-mile radius. Everyone from Dakota Johnson to Zendaya to Zoë Kravitz has embraced the all-seasons versatility of a cap-and-trench moment, and another benefit of this hat also lies in the fact that it can conceal third-day hair without adding dry shampoo to your list of morning tasks. The 100-percent cotton item's patch emphasizes love for the city that never sleeps, and we urge you not to sleep on this surefire way to make your fashion sensibilities Gen Z– upon publish date of this article: $14.99 $99.95 Buy Now at nordstrom Though they've entered the popular imagination a few seasons back, it's safe to say slingback kitten heels are the 'It' shoe (or one of them, at least) this spring — toeing the line between the smart, sensible 'office siren' look and the kind of coquettishness that's dominating TikTok, Pinterest, and personal vision boards alike. In black, these Steve Madden slingbacks with pointy toes and a glossy finish will make you the classiest one in the friend group. They'll also eliminate the need for a last-minute shoe switch between your nine-to-five and five-to-nine: able to compliment an eye-catching cocktail dress and baggy jeans in equal upon publish date of this article: $99.95 $100 Buy Now at nordstrom If investing in a full-sized Longchamp bag is something that you're saving for later, snag this mini version instead for a hit of instant gratification. The cosmetics case is ideal to store your makeup goodies in at home and during travels, yes, but also great to repurpose as a small handbag for city walks or dinner dates when you only need your wallet, phone, and a tube of lipstick. Beyond chic looks, it pays dividends with its durable nylon construction, water-resistant lining, and convenient zipper closure. Price upon publish date of this article: $100 Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as 'the fashion bible' — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women's and men's fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD's breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD's editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here. Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor's degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on trending fashions and new releases, including those at Nordstrom.
Vogue Arabia
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
How to Accessorise Your Luxury Bag with Playful Charms
I first noticed it during a casual night out with a close friend—her luxury handbag was barely visible beneath an assortment of carefully picked plush characters dangling from it. A brilliant writer by profession and an adult in her thirties, my friend had converted her expensive accessory into a canvas of self-expression, carrying her love for anime, cartoons, and gaming culture. Amused by this, I quickly scrolled through social media and found a full-blown phenomenon: luxury handbags being deliberately made to look unserious by both Gen Z and millennials alike. A trend that began with simple trinkets and keychains has evolved into an elaborate display of personal style. Stuffed animals, monogrammed keyrings, and hand-knotted cords have not-so-quietly replaced the simple bag charm that once modestly hung in the corner—making a strong case for the resurgence of maximalism. These aren't merely accessories anymore—they're statements, transforming otherwise ubiquitous designer bags into unique personal expressions. 'Kidulting' , a macro trend, is at the core of this movement. Adults are finding comfort and joy in nostalgia and in things that connect them with their childhood. In uncertain times and global situations that are beyond an individual's control, these whimsical additions offer a playful escape. This phenomenon parallels the dopamine dressing trend, where instead of injecting vibrance through clothing, fashion enthusiasts are now doing so with these playful charms. Names like Labubu, Monchhichi, and Crybaby have become part of the fashion lexicon, with rare, limited-edition plushies particularly coveted. It's not simply about nostalgia, though— cuteness has become a form of social currency. Owning a Labubu marks you as the 'cool kid' who knows what's trending. Design houses have also noticed this trend and have incorporated it by offering their sophisticated luxury versions that fit the brand's narrative. Whether it's the Hermès leather charms or the Loewe animal and fruit charms—each piece can become a collector's item in your collection. Others to join the wagon include Carolina Herrera, Valentino, Coach, Chloé, and COS—producing an accessory line of branded charms that perfectly complements their handbags. This is strictly for the fashion connoisseurs who would like to maintain a cohesive luxury aesthetic while still embracing the customisation trend. The variety of charms available today is staggering. Jellycat's soft creatures, Labubu's quirky monsters, and Monchhichi's nostalgic characters lead the pack, with styling options equally diverse. Some fashion-forwards wrap scarves around bag straps, adding a splash of colour, whilst others use chain charms to create a cascading effect. The true connoisseurs carefully space multiple plushies along handles, creating a balanced visual feast. Even celebrities have embraced the trend, with Rihanna, Ayo Edebiri, and BLACKPINK's Lisa spotted with Labubu charms adorning their rare designer bags.
