Meet The Designers Behind These Vagina-Shaped Pendants

Recently, you might have noticed some of fashion’s biggest names sporting a necklace pedant that, the closer you get, looks a lot like a vagina. Your eyes are not deceiving you – that really is a vagina, and New York-based jewelry line Tuza is behind the design. To Suzzan Atala, Tuza’s talented designer, the necklace represents much more than female anatomy.

Inspired by Atala’s years in Mexico and her current life in New York City, Tuza’s widespread appeal is easy to understand. Since applying her technical sculpture background and jewelry-making hobby to launching her own line in 2015, Atala’s designs have been worn by everyone from models to rappers to activists. Considering the current political climate in the United States, Tuza’s empowering, culture-combining pieces couldn’t have come at a better time. The issue of gender equality is not only one on everyone’s lips, but also – thanks to Tuza – in everyone’s wardrobes.

A cult favorite, Tuza’s vagina charm necklace has adorned the necks of Adwoa Aboah and Petra Collins, individuals who, like Tuza, blur the lines between fashion and activism. The necklace, which was originally part of a collaboration with New York-based artist Maia Ruth Lee, was inspired by modern, not-so-charmed life in New York City. Since the revealing collection of charms was launched, the vagina pendant has become a symbol of sorts of female solidarity and empowerment, allowing women and allies to wear their politics proudly.

In conversation with Refinery29, Atala expressed her passion for the “longevity” of jewelry. Considering the line’s famous fan base, its past collaborations with brands such as Creatures of Comfort, and its support from stockists including Sincerely Tommy and Other Wild, it’s safe to expect longevity from Tuza itself. The brand and the sisterhood who sports it aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.