Have you ever wondered what it would be like to browse the jewelry collections of Hailey Bieber or Rosie Huntington-Whitley? How about Matilda Djerf, or Lori Harvey? While we can't say we've had the opportunity ourselves, we can tell you without a doubt that you'd be gaurenteed to find at least one piece from one of the fastest-growing brands in the jewelry scene: Heaven Mayhem. Founded in 2023, the vintage-inspired label appeared an overnight success, but heavy is the head that wears the crown- or in this case, accessories- and it makes us wonder what really goes into managing success on such a scale. Lucky for you, we asked. Read the exclusive interview with Heaven Mayhem's founder and creative director, Pia Mance:
Once Upon a Time, in an LA Flea Market
Good things come to those who shop vintage. "The concept of Heaven Mayhem came to me in summer 2022," Pia set the scene for The Citizen's Poste, "I was browsing around flea markets in Los Angeles and saw the coolest selection of vintage pendant necklaces." From there, her interest was immediatly piqued. "I then did a little digging and started sourcing pendant necklaces from eBay, vintage stores and flea markets across LA, hand tied them on suede cord and released my first vintage pendant necklace drop."
via @piamance on Instagram
August 2022 marked a definig season for Heaven Mayhem, when the initial drops started to pick up quite the buzz, and it was all uphill from there. Today, the brand has broadened its range to include earrings and belts. Best sellers include the Tabi, Mini Knot, Double Knot, Noir, and Tri earrings, alongside the "Heaven" and "Bean" belts. Mance still pulls most of her inspiration from flea markets and moodboarding, aspiring to take vintage, timeless pieces and elevate them for a modern wardrobe.
"I’ve always been a jewelry fan! It’s a way I feel connected to my mum and late grandma. My mum is super sentimental and she keeps everything, even the wrapping paper that came with the gifts I got when I was younger. She has such special pieces from my grandma that really inspired me," Pia shared. And it's a legacy she carries responsibly. "[Sustainability is] so important to me... We don’t believe in mass producing, we design each and every piece and order quantities to demand. You’ll often see our pieces are sold out, which is intentional to ensure we’re not over producing and contributing to waste. In 2024, we are also exploring different materials and processes, which is exciting."
via @heavenmayhem_ on Instagram
In the belts department, no detail goes unrevised by Pia herself. Heaven Mayhem's belts and buckles are all carefully crafted and handmade from 100% genuine leather in their Los Angeles factory. Mance hand-selects every swatch. "I am very hands-on with the belt making process, and each factory we work with is family owned and operated. They have such great attention to detail and you can really feel the quality."
Staying in the Loop
While Heaven Mayhem is no stranger to A-listers, they don't let it distract from their community as a whole. Staying connected though monthly newsletters, the team loves sharing tips, life hacks, playlists and behind the scenes content. Pia expressed her love for the concept, "A closer look into our brands ethos and values that all of our Heaven Mayhem customers can somewhat resonate with!"
via @heavenmayhem_ on Instagram
And as far as the future of the quickly flourishing brand goes, our lips are sealed, but Mance was generous enough to tease us with some insight on Summer 2024. "We have so many exciting launches coming in 2024… of course, we are bringing out new earring and necklace styles which make me buzz with excitement. However, we’re also introducing new categories which I think will really surprise a lot of people! All top secret for now, but watch this space because I think this will be huge. I feel it in my bones!"
By Mackenzie Ostrowski