NYLON Editor Kat Diermissen Shares The Story Behind Her Favorite Jewelry

Some people wear jewelry. Others collect pieces, building an archive not just of physical items, but of souvenirs that reflect specific moments and periods of one’s life. Katherine Diermissen has always seen her style choices as autobiographical — the earrings that hang from the hole she first got in the third grade; the piercing on the side of her nose during the first year of college. “I love that I can look back at photos, see what jewelry I had in, and basically recount that time of my life and those memories,” BDG’s Gen Z Social Media Editor shares. She sees them as both accessories and an emotional archive: “Piercings have such an interesting history in so many subcultures,” she adds. “Of course, they’re a form of self-expression for so many people, but for me, they also act as a marking of time.”

Diermissen looks to the past for nostalgia, but also inspiration. “My personal style is a blend of all my favorite periods in fashion,” she says. “I take a lot of cues from the rock scene in the ‘70s (my bell-bottoms are my prized possessions, and big hoops and earthy, stone-encrusted jewelry are key to my style). I also love baggy jeans and grunge-y metals reminiscent of the ‘90s and babydoll dresses and colorful, mod-style earrings that were staples in the 60s.” It’s a range of references Banter’s assortment is built to match.

For her latest chapter, Diermissen looked to the brand for statement-driven, unapologetic pieces that are timeless and reflect the now. “I love Banter’s open inclusivity and celebration of self-expression,” she says. “No matter what your style is, you’ll find something you’ll love and can wear for years. I buy jewelry — and other pieces — with the intent to wear them for the rest of my life.”

Each of the designs she selected, from the classic silver chain to the playful butterfly charm, she can see herself wearing for years to come. “I think that’s what's most representative of my style, and a rule I follow when it comes to buying into trends: Would I have worn this last year when it wasn't trending? Will I wear this again next year when the trend has fled?” With quality, style, and accessibility at the core, Banter gives you the freedom to explore and define your look on your own terms.

Her stack, however, is never finished. There’s the helix piercing she’s been planning for a while now, and the many other additions she doesn’t even know she wants yet. When jewelry is done right, it reflects who we are and who we’re becoming. It’s that philosophy Banter was built on — quality pieces at every price point, for every version of yourself, including the ones you haven't met yet.