BonBonWhims: Nostalgia is Always in Style

When Clare Ngai-Howard started her pandemic passion project to raise money for BIPOC communities in 2021, she had no idea it would expand to what it is today.

"I was able to cultivate this really kind and supportive community on the internet that believes in inclusivity and diversity and likes to support small businesses. Then more and more people started noticing it and really liking the type of jewelry I made,” Clare shared in a 2023 interview with Sweety High.

BonBonWhims is a vibrant, Y2K-inspired jewelry brand that stems from playful, nostalgic memories of childhood. Growing up in Hong Kong, Ngai-Howard takes great inspiration from the miniature trinket and trading card machines she and her friends would excitedly visit after school.

Another big inspiration for Clare was Anna Sui. The playfulness of the packaging entranced her. From the moment her mom took her over to the beauty counter and introduced her to the brand; she was hooked. “I was in love. Her beauty collection had the coolest packaging and the coolest aesthetic I’d ever seen. When I looked her up, I discovered she was actually a fashion designer first, and had developed out to have makeup and this whole universe,” Ngai-Howard shared with Sweety High, “I became really obsessed with her aesthetic. It’s whimsical, colorful and very carefree…My brand is very maximalist, inspired by my first love with another brand that is equally whimsical.”

Source: Glasses USA / Glasses USA /Glasses USA / Glasses USA / Glasses USA

Clare isn’t the only person creatively fueled by nostalgia; in fact, it seems to be an increasingly popular perspective, especially in the fashion and accessories market. BonBonWhims recently announced their collaboration with GlassesUSA, bringing us 10 eyeglass/sunglass styles that perfectly encapsulate the playfulness of the early 2000s.

These glasses come with customizable magnetic charms featuring classic early-internet motifs like hearts, bows, stars, and butterflies. “…little acts of self-expression are coming back in full force, and I think they resonate across generations because people want things that feel personal and bring them joy,” Ngai-Howard shared with WWD.

What works so well about the inclusion of nostalgia in the fashion industry is the fact that many generations can find a sense of comfort in it for different reasons. Lihi Kopel, head of design at Glasses USA, explains that “For Millennials, there’s a real memory attached to it — AIM, Myspace, bulky phones, customizing everything you owned…for Gen Z, it’s almost an imagined world: an internet that looked more playful and personal than the one they grew up with.”

Source: BonBonWhims / BonBonWhims / BonBonWhims / BonBonWhims / BonBonWhims

As many can agree, I hope the trend of colorful, playful fashion accessories continues to flourish. Fashion is supposed to be fun! What better way to celebrate our uniqueness and personal styles than with big, bold accessories?

As Clare said to Sweety High, “There was a period of time where everything was very minimal—clean beauty, dainty gold jewelry—and now, we’re on the opposite of that, which I personally love.” And I couldn’t agree more.

Which BonBonWhims accessory are you dying to wear? Leave a comment below!