Typically, it is the little issues that spark the most important developments. For Clare Ngai, the founding father of BonBonWhims, what began as a artistic escape in the course of the pandemic has blossomed into a jewellery and accent model that is as nostalgic as it’s playful. Her colourful, candy-like designs really feel just like the grown-up model of every part we cherished as youngsters—with a contemporary, wearable twist. One of many newest additions to her model has made a giant mark on the style world.
Have you ever seen an It bag accessorized with a unusual bag appeal these days? In that case, you are not alone. They have been popping up all throughout my social media feeds, and I used to be immediately hooked. BonBonWhims has been one of many many manufacturers on the helm of this development with its cheeky creations taking off. Right now, I wished to take a while to study extra about how the model started, so I had a enjoyable chat with Ngai. With a background that includes tapping into kawaii vibes from her Hong Kong roots and giving her fellow New Yorkers a contemporary approach to elevate their on a regular basis baggage, Ngai has turned small equipment into a giant cultural second, and I needed to know extra.
Are you able to share the story behind the thought for BonBonWhims?
I’ve at all times actually loved crafting jewellery exterior of working within the trend and leisure trade, and in the course of the pandemic, I wanted a artistic outlet and distraction, so I took an opportunity and began an Instagram account, which took off without warning organically! I personally actually get pleasure from sporting and mixing colourful jewellery, particularly these with a nostalgic twist, so I believed there have to be others on the market who like what I like. The concept has at all times been about designing and introducing whimsical and candy-like items which can be additionally wearable to extra folks.
What’s been your most sudden or favourite superstar second that includes a BonBonWhims design?
There have been so many, and we’re so fortunate to be worn and cherished by a few of the most well-known names in leisure. I do know I stored referencing Kylie Jenner sporting our Pop Drop Earrings, and that’s as a result of she actually made BonBonWhims “blow up” in a single day, so to talk. It was a defining second for a very unknown model on the time and gave us some notoriety immediately. Ariana Grande rocking our Rainbow Fortunate Resin Rings was an enormous second for us, too, as a result of her followers are utterly devoted and need to help no matter she wears in the meanwhile. There are usually not too many artists with that kind of insane star energy, and Ari undoubtedly is one in every of them.
How does your Hong Kong upbringing affect the model’s artistic course, and the way has transferring to New York formed your perspective?
Rising up in Hong Kong formed my whole childhood and adolescence. A few of my early core reminiscences concerned taking part in with kawaii and kitschy baubles. Miniature toy gumball and buying and selling card machines had been in every single place, and me and my mates would go pay our visits virtually on daily basis after faculty! Folks at all times ask me how I get impressed with our designs, and I really consider having grown up in Asia presents a novel perspective and is a big a part of the BonBonWhims model DNA.
The general aesthetic in Asia is sort of totally different from the U.S., usually talking. Transferring to New York maybe helped infuse a few of that wanted practicality to my whimsical designs. A continuing problem is the right way to make this colourful jewellery extra wearable and digestible for the on a regular basis New Yorker or metropolis woman. One of many high demographics of BonBonWhims is millennial adults like myself who’re nonetheless reminiscing about their childhood however need one thing a little bit extra elevated than what we had as youngsters. It is a delicate factor to steadiness.
Bag charms have turn into a “Birkinified” accent phenomenon. How do you assume this displays broader developments in trend and shopper conduct?
On a macroeconomic stage, in instances of uncertainty, folks are likely to crave maximalism and need to categorical their individuality in all forms of methods—this was fairly obvious in the course of the pandemic, as all of us keep in mind. Furthermore, including small charms and equipment to present baggage that you simply personal is a comparatively inexpensive approach to change up the look of one thing you have already got with out having to make a large buy once more. It’s “woman math” in a means. It additionally speaks to the truth that shoppers at this time are conditioned to need newness on a regular basis and are continuously in search of quick developments or fast artistic fixes, so one thing turnkey like an inexpensive and enjoyable bag appeal checks all of the bins.
How did bag/telephone charms and keychains discover their means into your model, particularly by means of styling?
For BonBonWhims, the model ethos has at all times been about “extra is extra.” Very hardly ever do our clients buy only one piece from us, as all of our merchandise are meant for stacking and layering. It is an natural evolution for us to increase our product choices. We began with appeal jewellery and have expanded efficiently to hair equipment and telephone charms, so it was simply the appropriate time to introduce including charms to different components of your on a regular basis necessities—out of your baggage and keychains to your favourite lip product to sneakers. Being a pioneer of this development, we did not have any expectations, however it, once more, took us without warning how our bag-charm posts went utterly viral on the web early this 12 months and had been shared all around the globe, from Shanghai and Tokyo to Paris and Dubai.
What position do you assume superstar affect performs within the recognition of area of interest developments like bag charms?
I feel the appropriate celebrities at all times set the tone for developments for months and even years to observe with out fail. Jane Birkin, in fact, is the blueprint for bag charms, and with the resurgence of classic trend, we’re all trying backwards to seek out newness in our time. Our Lip Glow Balm Keychain collaboration with Laneige was additionally so properly cherished by Sydney Sweeney. Her posting in regards to the customized keychain we made for her created a lot bona fide hype for our limited-edition keychain that bought out virtually immediately.
Wanting forward, what’s subsequent for BonBonWhims? Are there new instructions, collaborations, or product classes on the horizon?
A query I at all times ask myself is, Why BonBonWhims? What units us aside and makes a buyer need to purchase our designs versus others? I feel the fantastic thing about BonBonWhims is that we actually transcend simply being a conventional jewellery and accent model—it is a model that understands tradition and developments and has a novel viewpoint and a distinct segment viewers that’s arduous to copy. This previous 12 months as we established ourselves as a well-regarded model, it was concurrently thrilling to discover transporting the BonBonWhims expertise with our model companions through totally different onsite activations. Along with our superb partnership with Laneige, this previous summer season, we hosted an unimaginable “make your individual bracelet and keychain” activation in collaboration with Pinterest utilizing bespoke beading kits we produced for the Cannes Lions Pageant, and most lately, we created a bespoke bag-charm bar for a Netflix premiere occasion and our first shoe-charm bar for P448, an Italian sneaker model, in New York Metropolis. These customized model experiences faucet into the distinctive, whimsical versatility of BonBonWhims and is a pure extension of our universe. We hope to proceed to push the envelope on that entrance!
Store Bag Charms
Susan Alexandra
Ducky Bag Appeal Keychain
You by no means have to depart the home with out your rubber ducky once more.
Balenciaga
Le Metropolis Eiffel Bag Appeal
I am simply dropping hints that I need one other journey to Paris.
ANYA HINDMARCH
Snake Leather-based Bag Appeal
That is such a enjoyable addition to your bag assortment.
Thom Browne
Hector Pebble Grain Leather-based Bag Appeal
A classy and superb reward for any canine lover you understand.
Burberry
Thomas Test Bag Appeal
There have been years of my life after I by no means went anyplace with out Thomas hooked up to my bag.
Coach
Small New York Cluster Bag Appeal Keychain
In case you love NYC as a lot as me, this may win you over.
Marc Jacobs
The Nano Tote Bag Appeal
That is one other bag-on-bag second, and I am right here for it.
Martha Calvo
Most Needed Gold-Tone Beaded Bag Appeal
The cowboy boots and rainbow motif go so properly collectively.
Anya Hindmarch
Chubby Coronary heart Leather-based Bag Appeal
Something with a coronary heart motif will at all times win me over.