Minimalism Is Out, Anik-Anik Is In: A Look into the Charming Fashion Trend
Ever find yourself decorating your bag or your overall fit with a lavish number of charms, keychains, keyrings, or stuffed plushies to the point people can hear them from afar? If you did, there’s no denying it — you're becoming (if not already) an “anik-anik girlie.”
In the past few years, minimalism has been all the rage, may it be in fashion or interior design. This design concept capitalizes on the idea that “less is more” and that there is “beauty in simplicity.” This, however, has not been the case recently, as maximalist fashion is coming back into style. Think colorful outfits, excessive and eye-catching accessories, and bold patterns.
In social media, people have referred to extravagant accessories as “anik-anik,” a colloquial term that’s probably not alien to Filipino culture. But what is it, really, and why do Filipinos love it?
The Power of Nostalgia: Filipinos and Their Love for ‘Anik-Anik’
“Anik-anik” is derived from the Filipino word, “ano-ano,” which literally means “this and that” or “all sorts of things.” Before, we thought of “anik-anik” as random, trivial stuff that we tend to keep or collect because of their emotional and practical value, like keeping shoe boxes to use as a makeshift container for other stuff or storing ref magnets and keychains given by our balikbayan relatives as a gift or souvenir.
Filipinos are also not strangers when it comes to collecting things. Who among kids in the 1990s to early 2000s did not get into collecting trading cards inspired by the hit Taiwanese drama “Meteor Garden” or did not have their own handheld Tamagotchi devices, which often come with a ball chain and in different, colorful designs? These were just some of the iconic “anik-aniks” back in the day.
This habit of collecting, as mentioned in a 2011 article by Dr. Felipe M. De Leon, can be attributed to Filipinos being maximalists. According to him, Filipinos tend to “fill up every available space with forms and things,” rooted in their emotional sensitivity and strong desire to connect and belong.
In terms of fashion, the love for “anik-anik” can also be traced back to the re-emergence of Y2K style, characterized by preppy fits and flashy accessories. And when we talk about Y2K, we can never forget the ‘90s pop culture princess Jolina Magdangal, who popularized colorful hair ties and clips, cute accessories, and girly girl fashion, which, interestingly, are just some of the benchmarks of the current “anik-anik” fashion.
Today, people seem to love showing off their “anik-aniks,” not only as a form of expression or to display their belongingness in a certain community, but because it gives them nostalgic feelings.
“I love ‘anik-anik’ [because I’m] materialistic. Mahilig ako magtago ng (I like keeping) small things and such because they remind me of places, events, and even people,” said Jam Marciano, a Gen Z self-proclaimed “anik-anik girlie.”
As a K-pop fan, Jam also collects various kinds of charms, such as keychains, concert tickets, button pins, stickers, and postcards — and she loves to flaunt them, too!
On why she loves accessorizing with “anik-aniks,” she mentions that it has become a way to make connections with her fellow K-pop fans. “Cute kasi sila tapos may mga taong nakaka-relate din. Like ‘pag may nakakakita ng collections ko, do’n ko nakikita ‘yung mga taong interested din pala do’n, tapos nagiging friends kami (They’re cute, and people seem to relate. Like when someone sees my collection and they’re interested in the same stuff, then we become friends),” she said.
The Rise of Collectibles & Bag Charms
During the pandemic, people were locked up in their homes, so they found a hobby that can spark joy even at the confines of their rooms: collecting. If you relate, you might have dabbled into collecting pop culture figurines, action figures of anime characters, Funko Pop collectibles, or a few K-Pop albums and merchandise.
The interest in collectibles grew even after the pandemic. Now that there are no restrictions, many have shifted to collecting things that they can bring with them whenever and wherever. This includes the latest toy craze, Labubu.
For those who haven’t heard of Labubu, this character is the brainchild of Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. The smiling monster character, known for its serrated teeth and pointy ears, has been making waves in the collectors' community. Lung made Labubu a collectible in 2019, when he signed an exclusive license agreement with toy maker Pop Mart to sell blind box figures of the character.
The love for this quirky character only grew this year, with many collectors, celebrities, and influencers hopping on the trend and accessorizing with Labubu, which now has various designs and colors.
Apart from Labubu, Sonny Angels have also become a big hit this year. These tiny cherubs, created in 2005 by Toru Soeya, wear different headgear designs and are sold in blind boxes (like Labubu). Originally seven-inch dolls, Sonny Angels were later transformed into three-inch figures, making them an easy-to-carry-around collectible. They even made a collaboration with the popular phone case brand Casetify!
The rise of “anik-anik” can also be attributed to the relevant spike in the popularity of bag charms. According to an article by fashion magazine Marie Claire, the search for the term “bag charms” rose 240% on Pinterest from 2023.
In TikTok, the bag charm trend is being called “Jane Birkin-ifying,” an ode to ‘70s icon and late actress Jane Birkin and her love for accessorizing her Hermes bag (particularly the brand’s Birkin bag that’s inspired by the actress) with silk scarfs, stickers, jewelry, and keyrings. This aesthetic has not only made its way to fashionistas but also to the Spring/Summer 2024 runways.
Celebrities Love It, Too!
If you love “anik-anik,” you’re not alone — because our favorite idols and celebrities love them, too!
Take, for example, P-Pop royalties like BINI member Maloi who loves decorating her bags with charms, and SB19’s Stell, who’s known among fans for collecting PopMart blind boxes, or “Dilaw” hitmaker Maki with his plushie charm-embedded fits and box office star and TV host Vice Ganda with her Labubu “babies.”
International stars are also in on this trend, like K-pop star Sandara Park, who revealed her becharmed bag in a bag raid content with Vogue Korea, or singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, who sported a decorated Birkin bag in New York earlier this year.
Our key takeaway? The “anik-anik” trend isn’t just a fashion statement or a way to express ourselves — it’s a personal archive and a cute little reminder of our happiest moments, childhood memories, or shared experiences.
Get the latest curated content with The Beat Asia's newsletters. Sign up now for a weekly dose of the best stories, events, and deals delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss out! Click here to subscribe.
