She is one of the most stylish people on the planet: founder of her own billion dollar Fenty empire, capable of shutting down any red carpet event (no matter how late her arrival) and single-handedly rewriting the rules of maternity wear. Safe to say, Rihanna has always been ahead of the sartorial curve. So, when the singer says toe rings are in, the whole world listens — or rather, TikTok does.
Last week, the pop star turned business mogul posted her second ever video to the video-sharing app. Captioned “quiet luxury”, the 38-second clip showcased a stonkingly sparkly pear-shaped diamond on the star’s left foot’s third toe. You might have seen the OTT jewel before – Rihanna wore it in her iconic pre-Met Gala Instagram post where she was decked out in a monochrome, feathered two piece and matching hat – with some fans speculating whether it’s, in fact, an engagement ring.
Custom-made by Beverly Hill-based XIV Karats, the 9 carat ring was anything but quiet. With expert Maxwell Stone, of Steven Stone Jewellers, estimating that the ring was likely to cost over $1 million. Stone also noted to Page Six that the “nontraditional” pear cut silhouette is “believed to symbolise the empowerment and independence of the wearer,” which may debunk engagement rumours.
Either way, as one TikTok user commented: “Rihanna rocks a toe ring so I went out and bought a toe ring,” with the Fenty founder breathing life back into the noughties trend.
Toe rings date back to 4th century India. Known as “bichiya”, they were worn exclusively by married women: a cultural custom that is still observed today. However, it was in the 1970s that Marjorie Borell, who has been dubbed the unofficial “Toe Ring Queen”, who is credited for introducing the style to America. In 1977 she returned from a trip to India and designed the first prototype, which she would later sell in the then- cult boutique store Fiorucci (where fans during its heyday included the likes of Madonna to Grace Jones).
Though it was the Y2K era - the era that birthed velvet velour, double denim and low rise pants (RIP) - where they truly took off. Toe rings were the go-to foot accessory, beloved by Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton and Jenna Bush (the US TV personality and former president’s daughter even once turned up to a 2002 court date wearing pink Capri trousers and a toe ring.)
In 2018 the throwback jewellry piece had its first renaissance, with Friends star Jennifer Aniston making a strong case - modelling one on the cover of InStyle. Elswhere, French fashion house Chloé sent models down the Paris Fashion Week runway wearing anklets and toe rings. The next year showed no signs of the trend dissapearing, with the accessory reaching the pinnacle of high fashion, debuting on the Golden Globes red carpet. Worn by Julia Roberts no less; sporting not one, but two (!) toe rings.
Admittedly, apart from the odd celebrity endorsement, toe rings have yet to fully shake it’s ‘bit naff’ reputation – long percieved as something we bought cheaply from Claires Accessories as a teenager with a thirst for experimentation and later to be cringed at in our 30s. And yet, perhaps it’s time to take another look at the divisive accessory, especially as we enter open-toe season.
“Even though toe rings are an accessory that you are most likely going to lose, and are least likely to get noticed, you’ll certainly get enough attention from the foot lovers group,” agrees Borys Korban, Junior Fashion Editor of The Face. “If you ever watched the episode of Sex and The City where Charlotte York gets a 50% discount on shoes, because the salesman loved her feet, you might want to try a set of gold toe rings. Next time you go shopping, might even get 75% off!”
PANCONESI
SSENSE Exclusive Silver & Orange Toe Ring, £142 ssense.com
Georg Jensen
Mercy ring mini, £115,georgjensen.com
Mejuri
Diamonds Open Ring, £178, mejuri.com
ASOS
Wave Toe Ring Women Sterling Silver Toe Ring, £24, marketplace.asos.com
Wolf & Badger
