For those who miss the beaded butterflies and hanging heart-shaped pendants that used to decorate old flip phones, the current trend of beaded phone pendants pioneered by String Ting will make you nostalgic and kitsch heart very happy. If you haven’t noticed the revival of unconventional high-tech products (yes, that’s a word I just made up), check out Dua Lipa’s Instagram feed or Gigi Hadid’s recent street look-beads fixed to your phone Ting attachments are hard to miss. However, unlike the decorative extensions of similar handicrafts made in summer camps when you were young, String Ting’s mobile phone strap has a more modern appearance and updated practical functions.
The London-based brand was founded by Rachel Steed-Middleton at the beginning of the pandemic, and it was a happy accident at first. “I want to teach my daughter and stepchildren to give back to society, so we set up a booth in our development and sold custom beaded bracelets to our neighbors and friends for charity,” Steed-Middleton told TZR . With beads in his mind, Steed Middleton began to reflect. “I was thinking,’When the world is open and you want to go out, you have this equipment on your phone and it really becomes part of your equipment. Isn’t it great? You can change your bag or your mood like Change your shoulder straps?’”
String Ting’s candy-colored tie has a reminiscent of the nostalgic spirit of the early days, but Steed-Middleton emphasized that the evolution of the accessory brand has completely transcended the decorative aspect. “The mobile phones at that time did not have the functions and practicality of today. Our Nokia mobile phones and pager leather cases were almost unattractive, but [String Ting's mobile phone strap] is actually a different way of carrying a mobile phone,” Steed-Middleton said. Her beaded shoulder strap-options include multiple strands of blue evil eyes, black stone style strips and a heart-shaped wrist strap or cross-body style-provide a handle for your phone to turn your device into a beautiful wallet style Accessories. “I have received a lot of messages from my customers,’How did I hold the phone before?!’ They are very necessary.”
Celebrities also agree that String Ting’s luxurious mobile phone strap is a must-have. Singer Dua Lipa is the first star to fall in love with this childlike accessory in November 2020 (her Grammy-winning album is called Future Nostalgia, so obviously she likes a beautiful comeback). It all stems from one Instagram DM. “I just sent a message to [Lipa] and she replied,” Steed-Middleton said with a smile. The 37-year-old designer gave Lipa Night Garden a pink wristband, and now there are bright beads in almost every mirror released by pop stars. After Lipa, it was a fast, beaded chain reaction: stars like Kaia Gerber, Gigi Hadid, Miley Cyrus, and Kendall Jenner have joined the String Ting fan club. Hadid likes her Night Garden wristband, and Gerber can often be seen walking around Los Angeles with her To The Moon and Back wristbands on her wrist. However, Jenner likes the luxurious Jolly Rancher wristband, which is made of rainbow-colored Swarovski beads, similar to the candy named after it.
At first glance, the redemption arc of the mobile phone amulet in 2021 seems out of place. However, accompanied by retro fashion trends such as heavy minimalist rings and baby T-shirts, the overhanging phone decoration has made a comeback, accompanied by a greater cultural return and a return to childishness. After a whole year of pandemic-related uncertainty, “everyone just wants something familiar, happy, optimistic, and comforting,” said Steed Middleton. Xian Ting fulfilled this wish, and then some. “When there is something young, it feels very friendly,” the designer said. “I know they are just extensions, but they are a little weirdly happy. It’s like a small object that brings a little happiness.” Listening to Steed-Middleton talk about her customization process of drilling into beads and carefully stringing them together, it’s very Obviously they are really made of love. “They come from the bottom of their hearts. I know it sounds silly, but it’s true—I really care about them,” she said.
In the front, you will find other celebrities carrying String Ting charms, as well as beaded mobile phone straps from brands to stores, including precise pieces by Lipa and Jenner. Although the accessory can be attached to any box, Steed-Middleton recommends using Wildflower Cases to design your box (the co-founders and sisters Devon and Sydney Carlson are also big fans of String Ting).
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