The studded trend can be traced back to a certain pair of Alaïa flats. Though not technically studded – they’re covered in hundreds of crystals – there’s no denying the influence they’re had on the recent outputs of designer, contemporary and high-street brands. Exact replicas came thick and fast soon after their launch and within days, studs and crystals covered not only ballet pumps, but handbags, tops and even swimwear. Three years on from their initial release and the stud movement has reached fever pitch.
Spanish brand Gimaguas has garnered an array of celebrity fans thanks to its studded goods, including the slouchy suede Franca bag, riveted belts, tops and bikinis. Kylie Jenner gave the collection the ultimate seal of approval with a grid post of her wearing the stud-swathed triangle bikini top – reminiscent of those seen on Chanel’s spring/summer 1995 runway – and matching mini shorts. And a fortnight earlier, she showcased the brand’s studded take on Havaianas, which were made for a recent one-off project. There’s no word on an official launch, but there’s certainly customer demand for these flip-flops to go into production.
Beyond Gimaguas’s buzzy studs, brands like Khaite and Valentino – the latter of which has emblazoned its signature “Rockstud” across footwear, accessories and ready-to-wear for nearly two decades – specialise in studs that evoke a grown-up sensibility. Founder of Khaite, Catherine Holstein, has pierced studs onto low-heel mules, belts, leather jackets and bags, while Alessandro Michele marked his debut at Valentino with a brand new suede bag, the Nellcôte, which is defined by its stud and eyelet embellishments. Endorsement from the likes of Bella Hadid, Alexa Chung and Amelia Gray quickly propelled this studded tote to It-bag status.
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On the denim front, contemporary labels Re/Done and Haikure have crafted jeans with neat studded lines that bring an edge to otherwise classic shapes. Haikure’s Winona style, for example, is an alt take on baggy, wide-leg jeans – a pair that I can confirm are made slightly heavier (but not unbearably so) with the added hardware. And this is only just the beginning of the stud hype – prepare to see them everywhere this summer.
Shop this summer’s best studded buys below
