Background information
One to remember – designer Cecilie Bahnsen creates textile dreams
by Laura Scholz
This old-fashioned accessory is currently making a big comeback
16.1.2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
Kitschy, old-fashioned, snobby – the brooch hasn’t exactly been popular in the last few decades. But now this long-forgotten gem is regaining relevance in the fashion world, away from preconceptions.
With most trends, I usually have a sense of déjà-vu. But brooches? I can’t recall a time they were «in». They’ve never been a big thing in my lifetime, nor can I attribute them to a particular decade of contemporary fashion. They’ve been so underestimated for decades that our online shop doesn’t even have a brooch filter category in the jewellery range.
In the past few seasons, however, the supposedly staid accessory has become increasingly popular. It’s finally escaped grandma’s jewellery box and is gradually winning over a new generation of fashion fans.
Jewellery as a means of communication
Did you know people have been using brooches since the Bronze Age? They were once functional objects that served as a kind of fastener for clothing and were transformed over the centuries into artistic accessories. With increasing sophistication, they became multi-layered symbols that expressed mourning, love, wealth or religious affiliation. A discreet means of public communication that’s still used today by royals and people in politics.
Style brooches in unconventional ways
Brooches are surprisingly versatile and, in my opinion, are particularly brilliant when they fulfil their original function: to hold clothes in place. For example, you can use them to gather up the sleeves on a simple T-shirt, take in wide sweaters at the waist or fasten cardigans asymmetrically across the chest instead of buttoning them as usual.
Scarves or sweaters can also be draped elegantly over the shoulders and fastened in this way. What’s more, brooches don’t just belong on tops – the more unexpected the placement, the more exciting. For example, you can use them to make the hem of wide trousers narrower to create a new shape.
You can even decorate hats and ties or braided hair with brooches. Like pins, they can also be pinned alongside other brooches. Create clusters or place the brooches at irregular intervals over the entire garment.
I’d love to link you a few beautiful brooches from our range but unfortunately there aren’t any. To be honest, you’ll find the most beautiful and unique pieces in second-hand stores, thrift stores and at flea markets anyway. Have fun browsing!
Header image: Launchmetrics/Spotlight
Has endless love for shoulder pads, Stratocasters and sashimi, but a limited tolerance for bad impressions of her Eastern Swiss dialect.
Fashion
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Background information
Interesting facts about products, behind-the-scenes looks at manufacturers and deep-dives on interesting people.
Show all
