I'm a Jewelry Expert—5 Trends You're Going to See Everywhere in 2024
There was always something a bit special about rummaging through my grandmother's jewelry drawer when I was a child, picking through earlobe-numbing chunky studs and gaudy yet nostalgic clip-on earrings. The world felt infinite in my mother's heels and my grandmother's gold-knot jewelry when I was 10. For Heaven Mayhem founder Pia Mance, her late grandmother's vintage jewelry isn't just gold-plated goodness to put on with a little black dress on her way to cocktails with friends—it has grown into a multimillion-dollar empire.
You may have caught a glimpse of Heaven Mayhem, the jewelry and accessory line started by Mance in 2022, on your feed, whether it be on the ears of your college best friends or your celebrity parasocial besties. Hailey Bieber, Matilda Djerf, Aimee Song, and Justine Skye are all fans, so naturally, the brand has only blown up in the last few years thanks to its massive star backing and viral-worthy covets on social media. Before Heaven Mayhem was Heaven Mayhem, though, Mance started off the same as all of us: slowly going through her mother's and grandmother's old things.
"Growing up, I loved going through my mum's closet and rummaging through her clothes, shoes, tights, but I was always very drawn toward the accessory selection, as she held on to a lot of my late grandmother's pieces from the '70s, '80s, and '90s," Mance tells me. "Those pieces weren't designer or anything, but they were all so well-made, timeless, and special to me. To be able to create similar pieces like that, which I really resonate with, holds a special meaning in my heart."
The brand began in 2022 when Mance created cord necklaces using local thrift-market finds and eBay-sourced pendants, and it's taken on a life of its own as it continues to shape the current conversation around jewelry. A quick browse on the site will make it all make sense. It feels like Heaven Mayhem's vintage-looking pieces and statement jewels fit squarely into the internet's current trends. Whether you're embracing your inner Carmela Soprano à la mob wife or hoping to build a swoon-worthy pass-me-down collection of chunky earrings and sleek belts, there's usually something for everyone.
"In a social media–focused world, I think a defining factor for us is that if someone is wearing Heaven Mayhem, it's almost always on show, as earrings are so close to the face. Whether it's a makeup video, chatty video, outfit video, etc., the earrings are always front and center," Mance explains, alluding to the brand's online glow-up in the last year. At this point, it's practically a lifestyle. "I'm not interested in a quick dollar or a quick sale. I'm focused on creating longevity surrounding the brand and lifelong customers who look at the brand as more of a destination for inspiration and fun community," she adds.
So far, 2024 is feeling like the year of Heaven Mayhem. With our editors and the internet paying attention, it feels like our love affair with the rising cult brand isn't cooling down anytime soon. As she's a leader in her field, I sat down with Mance to ask her about the jewelry trends she predicts will be big this year. Between her favorite pieces and the inside scoop on what's to come for the year ahead, browse all of Mance's can't-miss 2024 predictions below.
Eye-Catching Styles
"The statement earring is not going anywhere. The classic gold hoop is over, and statement earrings are in. With that being said, I think more 'wearable' statement earrings are coming in. Think earrings you can sleep in and go to the gym in that are still cool. Twenty-twenty-four is the year of no naked ears. We will always have an earring in!"
Shop statement earrings:
Precious Stones
"I think diamonds and gemstones are coming back, particularly lab-grown diamonds, as they're more sustainable and affordable! We definitely want to incorporate lab diamonds and gemstones into our designs. They're really fun to style with, and after all, diamonds are a girl's best friend."
Shop precious stones:
Anti-Necklace Looks
"Not sure if this counts as a jewelry trend—maybe even anti-jewelry trend, ha ha! But I think bare necks are in this year, so no necklaces. We do have some fun pieces coming for summer, but you won't catch us in an everyday gold-link chain."
Shop anklets, bracelets, and earrings:
Mixing Metals
"Another huge trend I see is mixed-metal jewelry. We launched our mixed-metal earring back in April 2023, and I was blown away by the response. It's impossible to keep it in stock. It's the perfect combination [to] mix and match! It's just so versatile. If you don't own mixed-metal jewelry, I think it's time to invest. Our best seller, Mini Knot Mixed is the perfect lightweight mixed-metal combination."
Shop mixed-metal pieces:
Belts as Jewelry
"[Belts are] an accessory trend that really made a comeback last year. Traditionally, belts are used for practicality, and like last year, of course, they will have a huge moment."
Shop embellished belts:
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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