How it became hip to wear everyday objects as accessories – the jewellery designers bridging art and homeware

Something clicked when New York-based Linda Cui Zhang, Nordstrom’s associate fashion director and one of the best dressed people I know, first glimpsed The Row’s now infamous comb necklace, which the American label debuted in 2023.

Like many pieces by The Row, the palm-sized silver-coated brass comb, rendered into a pendant with the help of some black nappa leather cord, is out of many a shopper’s price range (a reseller on Vestiaire Collective is asking for almost HK$50,000). Instead, Zhang emulated the design with a simple DIY effort, consisting of wax cord and a silver baby comb she found on second-hand marketplace The RealReal.

The comb necklace became the first of many objects-as-accessories Zhang introduced to her wardrobe, and she’s not alone. Designers are increasingly bridging jewellery, art and homeware: MM6 Maison Margiela has a small round mirror as its necklace pendant, while Lemaire has a whole arsenal, with stand-outs including wearable bird calls (crafted by Quelle est Belle), brushes and flasks, all designed to be worn around the neck. Zhang also mentions New York “It girl” brand Susan Alexandra’s beaded lighter cases, which come as bag charms or necklaces, and Renata Q’s sold-out statement jewellery that fuses cotton crochet with seashells.

“People want their clothes to function, and there’s this yearning for versatile, multipurpose pieces that translate across events and occasions,” says Zhang. “I wear these objects as necklaces, because they feel familiar while adding a focal point to casual everyday pieces.”

Zhang raises as an example her Lemaire mirror necklace, which helps her stay polished during busy New York summers.

This goes both ways: we want our clothes to function, but we also want our functional items (lipstick cases, pocket mirrors, keychains) to look beautiful.