Ribbons! Lace! Necklace-Covered Bags! Enter the Era of Accessorized Accessories

Some of the most interesting combinations of carefully adorned handbags have a DIY sensibility. Take, for example, the Paris based content creator Lara Violetta Giller’s puffy avocado green Margiela bag bedecked in lace trim and a mini ballerina slipper. “I tried to find things I already have at home to make it really me-like,” she says. “So, I used a piece of lace, some pins, a mini ballet shoe which used to be my keychain and a ‘Figa’ lucky charm.”

But perhaps what’s most interesting about this trend is that so many people are citing Jane Birkin as the inspiration behind it all. And so, countless videos were born in the past few months in tribute to decorating one’s bag just like Jane Birkin, as a brand new generation is discovering photos of her for the first time. The icon, who helped design the infamous Birkin bag in 1983, was known to personalize her bag with colorful cords, keychains, jewelry and even a bite mark or two from her cat. “I started a few months ago because I saw pictures of Jane Birkin’s Birkin bag,” says Violetta. “She accessorized it with pearls, strings, little bells and many different lucky charms. It made this infamous bag so personal and cool.”

For others, the mass appeal of thrifting and upcycling has everything to do with adding found objects onto everyday bags. “I upcycle clothes using thrifted and recycled materials, so I naturally apply repurposing techniques to everyday items,” explains Mahea Firestine, who has tacked everything from a vintage Tamagotchi to Byzantine style necklaces onto oversized bags, also inspired by Jane Birkin. “It’s a great way to make the most out of what you have, while expressing yourself and stepping outside of the box. I love anything metal because they add a luxurious look; pendants, bracelets, necklaces, waist chains, belt buckles. I also have fun with adding things my younger self would love, such as a Betty Boop keychain and bows.”

Trend forecaster Jessica Richards describes the phenomenon as “representative of the ongoing desire of the collective to be recognized for individuality.” Though people have been adding individualistic touches to their clothing for centuries–especially in times when subcultures flourished, like punk in ‘70s—this feels slightly different than the past. “We’re seeing that many adornments relate to ‘cute culture,’ with a nod to the optimism and feel-good spirit of so many nostalgic trends; we’re seeing amulets of protection and safety, like crystals.”