BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Jewelry has always been more than an accessory. It’s a language of identity, taste, and cultural currency. In 2025, the conversation is louder than ever, with the streets and runways trading in a mix of heritage luxury, punk-edged statement pieces, and the kind of everyday icons that can elevate even the most casual fit. Here are a few jewelry labels making waves within the fashion world:
Few brands carry the mythical pull of Van Cleef & Arpels. Known for its Vintage Alhambra motif, the maison transforms a simple quatrefoil into a symbol of luck, love, and legacy. While once the preserve of aristocracy and haute couture insiders, it’s now as likely to appear courtside as it is at a Paris soirée.
In Major League Baseball, players wear Alhambra necklaces mid-game, a cultural cross-pollination of superstition and high fashion that cements Van Cleef’s relevance far beyond the jewelry counter.
Born in the grit of 1980s Los Angeles biker culture, Chrome Hearts is unapologetically bold. Heavy silver chains, gothic crosses, and fleur-de-lis engravings give it a rebellious signature that’s impossible to confuse. Celebrities from Rihanna to Travis Scott have turned Chrome Hearts into a cultural emblem, pairing it with streetwear, couture, and everything in between.
It’s high-end, handmade, and purposefully exclusive, sold mostly through word-of-mouth and invitation-only boutiques. Wearing Chrome Hearts joins a subculture that values craft as much as attitude.
In Nigeria’s fashion circles, Raya Jewelry has become a byword for contemporary luxury that still feels deeply personal. The Lagos-based label blends traditional West African artistry with refined, modern silhouettes, think gold-plated brass cuffs, gemstone-studded rings, and necklaces that can just as easily complement a red-carpet gown as they can a crisp white shirt.
Raya’s ability to shift between minimal elegance and bold statement pieces has made it a favorite among style insiders, with celebrity clients and fashion editors often seen wearing their designs.
The brand’s collaborative spirit has also helped cement its place in the Nigerian fashion ecosystem. In recent years, Raya has partnered with designers like Orange Culture and Lisa Folawiyo to create capsule collections that merge clothing and accessories into a single, cohesive story.
Founded by Frank Ocean, Homer is the new school of fine jewelry, with its colorful enamel, lab-grown diamonds, and surreal, almost cartoon-like shapes that feel more like wearable sculptures than accessories.
The pieces are intentionally cryptic, released in limited drops, and often require buyers to book in-person appointments. It’s luxury stripped of the usual gloss, offering instead a sense of mystery and individuality.
Few jewelry brands have mastered the art of personal storytelling like Pandora. Known globally for its customizable charm bracelets, the Danish brand has built an empire on the idea that every piece of jewelry should carry a memory.
In Nigeria, Pandora has a loyal fan base drawn to the brand’s mix of accessible luxury and sentimental value. It’s charms marking milestones, travels, or personal achievements have become style staples for both everyday wear and special occasions.
