KIKYO’s Infinite Charm
Sandra, accessory designer of the coquettishly whimsical Singaporean brand KIKYO, chats with Le Fool about comfort jewellery, SHUSHU/TONG, old magazines, coloured tights, the iconic Blair Waldorf, and seeing friends and family as the ultimate influencers.
January 17, 2025
Interviewed by Miu Xia | Editor
Photo (above): Summer Lace shoe charm set Courtesy of KIKYO.
Miu: I first followed you after falling in love with your Summer Lace shoe charm set, a combination of dainty lace, crystal beads and perfectly layered metallic accents. What is your favorite medium to work with, and what are some textures, materials, or ideas you would like to experiment with next?
Sandra: Ah, thank you so much! I am so glad you love the set, you literally saw the lace vision! ~ ❤
After trying out resin, crochet and clay, I still choose beads as my favourite medium (perhaps it’s a bias), but I love mixing beads with fabric, such as ruffles, chiffons, and ribbons! (coquette still dominates haha). I find that fabric enhances the beauty and sparkle of the beads, it makes a creation look more complete as a piece. In line with this, it’s probably because I always see in a way if my pieces are wearable with something that my customers already have. For example: shoes > fabric, clothes > fabric, bag > fabric or leather — — — which is what I would like to explore next year… But for now, this is a sneak peek to my SS ’25.
KIKYO’s SS25 inspiration
I mostly find inspos from the runways instead of objects, I analyse the structure of the clothes and translate it into jewellery pieces.
M: I love the quote you used for the product description of the Jellyfish Ribbon keychain: “If I do get reborn, then I, I want to just rock gently on the ocean waves. I want to be a jellyfish. 私はクラゲになりたい」 (Watashi wa Kurage ni Naritai)” from Princess Jellyfish, episode 5. From your use of delicate chiffon flowers to freshwater pearls, jellyfish to black swan motifs, nature is such a big theme in your collections. What do you envision as the lifestyle of those who wear KIKYO, and what might they be similarly inspired by?
S: I am a huge fan of slice of life anime — just about everyday life, and just like the Jellyfish quote, it’s more of a enjoy your present, while trying your best — stay grateful and treasure what you have. Their lifestyle could be anything: indoor, outdoor, small or large group of friends, party no party, makeup no makeup, introvert or extrovert. I’d love them to be content with their lives :) If I were to give an inspiration to this lifestyle, it would be this particular [playlist] Oldies + Rain by Nemo’s Dreamscapes. Such an odd reference, but it gives you comfort and calm.
M: Personally, adding charms and trinkets in my daily look welcomes a sense of nostalgia, especially for the Y2K days when walking around with a cluster of charms hanging off of digital cameras, mechanical pencil cases, and pink razor flip phones was the norm. What is your favorite early memory of accessorizing? What are some of your favorite ways you’ve seen your pieces styled?
S: 101% agree with you! We have sooo many trinket options! Rather than jewellery, my very first accessory that I remember choosing for myself is a pair of cyan coloured tights, believe it or not. Coloured tights were all the rage during my late teenage years — who else to blame if not because of the Gossip Girl rage, and I, too, would like to join the trend.
M: Personally, adding charms and trinkets in my daily look welcomes a sense of nostalgia, especially for the Y2K days when walking around with a cluster of charms hanging off of digital cameras, mechanical pencil cases, and pink razor flip phones was the norm. What is your favorite early memory of accessorizing? What are some of your favorite ways you’ve seen your pieces styled?
S: 101% agree with you! We have sooo many trinket options! Rather than jewellery, my very first accessory that I remember choosing for myself is a pair of cyan coloured tights, believe it or not. Coloured tights were all the rage during my late teenage years — who else to blame if not because of the Gossip Girl rage, and I, too, would like to join the trend.
S: 101% agree with you! We have sooo many trinket options! Rather than jewellery, my very first accessory that I remember choosing for myself is a pair of cyan coloured tights, believe it or not. Coloured tights were all the rage during my late teenage years — who else to blame if not because of the Gossip Girl rage, and I, too, would like to join the trend.
“I came across a page of ‘How to Wear your Coloured Tights like Blair Waldorf’ along the line. I immediately wrote down the address to get the tights (that was how we were exposed to fashion brands back then, through magazines!)”
LEFT: Much like old CÉLINE, old Gossip Girl (2007) reigns supreme (collage by KIKYO) RIGHT: Zendaya in colored tights in 2020 Vogue Australia March 2020/Daniel Jackson (collage by author)
Like all the teen-lit girls back then, as I flipped through the bi-weekly fashion magazine I subscribed to, I came across a page of “How to Wear your Coloured Tights like Blair Waldorf” along the line. I immediately wrote down the address to get the tights (that was how we were exposed to fashion brands back then, through magazines!) and that weekend, off I went to the popular mall in town. After searching for a bit, I fixated on two colours: cyan and fuchsia. Guess what, I bought both colours (insert crying emoji). I went home and paired it with a white dress, twirled in front of the mirror and my mum definitely saw a question mark on my face. In my head: why did I choose this colour? and why the fuchsia? It’s so hard to pull off!! (insert crying emoji again) …I should have gotten the red one since it’s coming back this year.
So, did I wear it out in the end? No. Hahaha. I donated both. Although it was a failure, it’s how I found a spark of fun in styling, I fell in love with fashion first, then accessories second — and that’s how I want all of my pieces to be something that is a go-to for my customers. I want them to feel comfortable wearing it, without thinking whether it’ll match their outfit that day, because my pieces are so subtle it complements the fit, or as my motto says: minimalist but with a twist. This leads to a moment where my lovely customer, Cindy (hi if you’re reading this ^_^) styles three KIKYO pieces, to a harmonious, if not, a meant to be, ensemble of styling — she added the ribbon charm as a pendant on her necklace, instead of on a shoe! Pururun-purun, she literally created a versatility magic ☆.｡.:*⭑.ᐟ
Like all the teen-lit girls back then, as I flipped through the bi-weekly fashion magazine I subscribed to, I came across a page of “How to Wear your Coloured Tights like Blair Waldorf” along the line. I immediately wrote down the address to get the tights (that was how we were exposed to fashion brands back then, through magazines!) and that weekend, off I went to the popular mall in town. After searching for a bit, I fixated on two colours: cyan and fuchsia. Guess what, I bought both colours (insert crying emoji). I went home and paired it with a white dress, twirled in front of the mirror and my mum definitely saw a question mark on my face. In my head: why did I choose this colour? and why the fuchsia? It’s so hard to pull off!! (insert crying emoji again) …I should have gotten the red one since it’s coming back this year.
So, did I wear it out in the end? No. Hahaha. I donated both. Although it was a failure, it’s how I found a spark of fun in styling, I fell in love with fashion first, then accessories second — and that’s how I want all of my pieces to be something that is a go-to for my customers. I want them to feel comfortable wearing it, without thinking whether it’ll match their outfit that day, because my pieces are so subtle it complements the fit, or as my motto says: minimalist but with a twist. This leads to a moment where my lovely customer, Cindy (hi if you’re reading this ^_^) styles three KIKYO pieces, to a harmonious, if not, a meant to be, ensemble of styling — she added the ribbon charm as a pendant on her necklace, instead of on a shoe! Pururun-purun, she literally created a versatility magic ☆.｡.:*⭑.ᐟ
So, did I wear it out in the end? No. Hahaha. I donated both. Although it was a failure, it’s how I found a spark of fun in styling, I fell in love with fashion first, then accessories second — and that’s how I want all of my pieces to be something that is a go-to for my customers. I want them to feel comfortable wearing it, without thinking whether it’ll match their outfit that day, because my pieces are so subtle it complements the fit, or as my motto says: minimalist but with a twist. This leads to a moment where my lovely customer, Cindy (hi if you’re reading this ^_^) styles three KIKYO pieces, to a harmonious, if not, a meant to be, ensemble of styling — she added the ribbon charm as a pendant on her necklace, instead of on a shoe! Pururun-purun, she literally created a versatility magic ☆.｡.:*⭑.ᐟ
S: Recently, like all the coquette girlies are fanning on, it would be an absolute honour to work with SHUSHU/TONG, Cecilie Bahnsen or Susan Fang. The colour choices, textures, shapes and draping — it’s all so beautiful, like looking at swans — elegant and serene, but there is a hint of excitement that gives you butterflies in your stomach. Rather than focusing on the outside, I imagine a collaboration with my own KIKYO lovers, their constant support is what makes KIKYO what it is today. The fact that they own KIKYO pieces, they already share the same values as me. I also find that it would be more personal, approachable and meaningful. In terms of reach and exposure, they are already an influencer in their circle of friends, just like how we recommend the best ice coffee to our family and friends — that, I value that the most ❤