Instagram is suddenly teeming with dramatic ear selfies, courtesy of Los Angeles-based jewelry line KatKim and its avant-garde ear thread pins.
What’s an ear thread pin?
It’s a pin that hooks over the top of the ear on one end and pierces the lobe on the other, caging the ear in a line (or lines, when worn in multiples) of metal and gemstones.
The style, which brand designer and founder Katherine Kim originated, is refreshingly distinctive—and hard to miss.
The pins have been embraced by a small army of models, influential bloggers, celebrities, and pop stars including Gigi Hadid, Leandra Medine, Yara Shahidi, Pink, Taraji Henson, Madeline Brewer, and Olivia Holt.
“The response has been incredible,” says Kim. “I feel so grateful for all the amazing support we have been receiving and to the celebrities who have worn it.”
KatKim Diamond Flash ear thread pin, $1,420
Pins start at $460 for 18k white and yellow gold versions; at the high end, they top out at $1,420 for a diamond-studded model shaped like a lightning bolt (see above).
The cult popularity of the ear pins has won the brand a splashy new department store retail partner: KatKim announced this week that a selection of its ear thread pins will debut in Bergdorf Goodman Feb. 9.
Madeline Brewer in a pair of KatKim ear thread pins (Image: @katkim)
Taraji P. Henson in a diamond pavé KatKim ear thread pin (Image: @katkim)
Man Repeller blogger and influencer Leandra Cohen in a 14k white gold KatKim ear thread pin (Image: @leandramcohen)
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
