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Charmed Life: An Ode to the Filipino "Anik-Anik" Culture
Decorative charms may have been dominating the international trends, but locally, this nostalgic take on maximalism isn't an entirely new concept.
Published Jun 3, 2024
Self-expression takes center stage with the Filipino's take on maximalism.
Minimalism has had the fashion world in a chokehold over the last year or so. Think clean girl, quiet luxury, and the old money rich aesthetic. All these trends hinge on the “less is more” philosophy, a notion guided by the idea that simplicity and restraint equate to sophistication and elegance. Now, as the pendulum of fashion swings, there emerges a growing appetite for something more expressive and emotionally resonant. A more maximalist attitude has become apparent, and with it comes the rise of decorative charms—colloquially known as “anik-anik.”
Cha Remigio, Bacs Arcebal
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"Charmed Life" for Preview The Trend June 2024
Produced, Styled, and Written by Paulina Singh. Photographed by Cha Remigio. Creative Direction by Bacs Arcebal. Makeup by Miki Luison. Hair by Bryan Eusebio. Modeled by Trish Filart.
The Rise of Maximalism through Decorative Charms
As a counterpoint to minimalism's muted tones and understated designs, maximalism celebrates abundance, color, and eclectic detailing. The emergence of decorative charms in the global fashion stage epitomizes this shift—where fashion houses are getting a hold of the market’s increasing fondness for small and seemingly inconsequential items, and weaving them into the fabric of high fashion. Case in point: Balenciaga and Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 showcase, where bags adorned with chains, keys, stuffed animals, beads, and laces made an appearance on the runway. Additionally, in April, revered South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster collaborated with BLACKPINK’s Jennie to introduce a line of sunglasses where customers can attach charms by the frames’ temples.
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Cha Remigio
ON TRISH: Glitter 02, P20,000; Jennie - Petite Cooing, P3250, all GENTLE MONSTER, Shangri-La Fort. Striped Blazer, P49,745, KENZO, Cul De Sac Podium.
Naturally, as the laws of “trickle-down” theory predicts, interest in charms has surged over the last year. Data from a sentiment analysis by the fashion trend-tracking page Data But Make It Fashion revealed a 29% increase in the popularity of bag charms in the last month. In March, Style Analytics found that Pinterest searches for “bag charms” soared by 263% in the last year. Clearly, decorative charms are making a steady entrance into the global fashion stage.
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Cha Remigio
ON TRISH: Jennie - Barrette 02, P20,000, GENTLE MONSTER, Shangri-La Fort. Drawstring Black and White Top, P11,500; Colorful Zipped Skirt, P29,500, LE NGOK, lengok.com. Pigang-Pigâ in Apa/Tablea bag, P25,555, MINSAN, instagram.com/minsanobjects.
Cha Remigio
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ON THE BAG: Gold charmed necklaces, price starts at P350 each, SHOP SOLASTA, shopsolasta.com
"Anik-Anik" as the Filipino's Take on Maximalism
For Filipinos, this type of maximalism isn’t an entirely foreign concept. The term “anik-anik” captures a common Filipino’s penchant for collecting seemingly trivial novelty items, and using it to liven up their personal spaces and wardrobe. This form of maximalism, driven by nostalgia, creates a tangible connection to past memories or an otherwise impalpable facet of the self.
Bacs Arcebal
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“Anik-anik” is a linguistic variation of the Tagalog word “anu-ano,” which roughly translates to “all sorts of things.” Culturally, “anik-anik” embodies a form of sentimental maximalism. It reflects the inherently Filipino tendency to hold onto small and often inexpensive items that tell personal stories. These items, while arbitrary on their own, connote a sense of emotional attachment to an event, place, or memory.
Cha Remigio
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ON TRISH: Pura Parigi in Dayap/Gatas/Yema, P15,555 [made to order], MINSAN, instagram.com/minsanobjects
Cha Remigio
ON TRISH: Barrette 02, P20,000, GENTLE MONSTER, Shangri-La Fort. Gold charmed necklace, price starts at P350, SHOP SOLASTA, shopsolasta.com. Under the Sea Necklace, P4800, SPACESKULLPIXIE, spaceskullpixie.com. Necklace, Custom Beaded Fish and Pearl Choker, P3000 to P5000, MIRRO BEADS, Instagram.com/mirrobeads.
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Anik-Anik in Fashion: The Antithesis of the Polished and Overly Curated
Sartorially, anik-aniks represent a more personalized and story-rich approach to fashion. It’s a method of accessorizing that celebrates individuality and the unique narratives that each piece of charm represents. From charm-laden bags and eclectic stacks of jewelry to charm-adorned sunglasses and scruffily accessorized sneakers, fashion pieces adorned with anik-aniks offer wearers a way to inject a hint of fun and personality into their outfits.
Cha Remigio
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ON TRISH: Glitter 02, P20,000; Jennie - Petite Cooing; P3250, all GENTLE MONSTER, Shangri-La Fort. Striped Blazer, P49,745, KENZO, Cul De Sac Podium. Blue Silk Top, P16,500; Brown Leather Skirt, P27,500, all THE EIGHT, Cul De Sac Podium. Gold charmed necklace, price starts at P350, SHOP SOLASTA, shopsolasta.com. Bloom cord in small, P800; Pearl and Pink Satin Bow, P1111, all MIRRO BEADS, Instagram.com/mirrobeads.
Cha Remigio
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The anik-anik trend disrupts the uniformity of overly curated looks. While minimalist fashion strives for a seamless, often monochromatic harmony, charms introduce an element of surprise and spontaneity. A chunky, charmed necklace, for instance, becomes a wearable scrapbook of one’s life. In a sense, one could infer that the rise of anik-aniks is a testament to this generation’s inclination for the “anti-perfect": doing away with all the years of meticulously staged online personas. Here now comes the unkempt, the languidly-embellished, and the delightfully disheveled side of fashion.
Cha Remigio
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ON TRISH: GEL-NYC, P7690, ASICS, Asics Bonifacio High Street, asics.com, Fruit salad bracelet, P1200, MIRRO BEADS, Instagram.com/mirrobeads
Cha Remigio
ON TRISH: Loop Bag, price unavailable LOUIS VUITTON, louisvuitton.com
The concept of anik-anik in fashion is as elusive just as it is eclectic. A style that resists definition and embraces variety, this ambiguity makes it challenging to pin down its key elements, as the essence of "anik-anik" encompasses an array of decorative items and trinkets.
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Quite literally, anik-anik could mean just about anything. However, a perusal through Pinterest and Instagram photos of bag charms and charm necklaces will show you how it manifests in the form of mini stuffed toys, beaded charms, lockets, ribbons, metallic charms, the crowd-favorite Sonny Angels, and the Tamagotchis of the 2000s, just to name a few.
Cha Remigio
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Cha Remigio
ON TRISH: Rulled Puffy Skirt in Black, P2500, HA.MU
But perhaps from a deeper and more personal vantage point, anik-aniks seem to transcend mere accessorizing. These charms embody a collective yearning for authenticity, turning fashion into a canvas for the wearer's imagination. With anik-aniks, we get to tap into our sentimentality unapologetically.
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Cha Remigio
The Filipino anik-anik culture lets our personality and unique self-expression shine through, in all its imperfect and eclectic glory. After all, true style transcends sheer appearances—it’s about forging a connection with your inner self and translating it into a look.
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