If ever there was a time to bring back dopamine dressing, we’re living through it.
A pandemic-era term coined by psychologist Dawnn Karen, dopamine dressing describes the art of wearing fashion that feels good—clothes, patterns, and textures that boost that happy hormone, dopamine. The official coining of the term may have been new, but the act is not. We are often drawn to things that make us feel happy; the key is to allow ourselves to embrace it.
Feel-good jewelry is pretty much the raison d'etre of Buddha Mama, a first-generation, family-run brand based out of Miami (and also Aspen as of recently). Established in 2008 by Nancy Badia, many of the brand’s offerings are imbued with Buddhist iconography, though with its colorful, vibrant jewels, the appeal is most certainly universal.
Badia says, “Our Buddhist beliefs for the collections focus on peace, love, and kindness—that is what our intention is with the jewelry and designs.”
Badia's brand started at her kitchen table. Two years after its establishment, Badia’s daughter Dakota Badia joined the company, and Buddha Mama is now a well-recognized collection found at retailers around the country.
Buddha Mama 20k gold necklace with 29.69 ct. peach tourmaline heart, $139,500
Buddha Mama owner and designers Dakota and Nancy Badia
“A lot of people ask us the question of what it's like to create as a mother and daughter,” Dakota says. “What you see is what you get—if you're around us, you know that we naturally get along. That’s not luck. We have a supportive and loving family that fostered our individual growth and exploration of what we each wanted from our lives. But we're also imperfect human beings, so of course we have disagreements. But because we are well equipped to resolve conflict and we do not hold onto resentment, we're cool. It's a nice vibe.”
The duo’s collaborative design efforts (“if a piece is very embellished with filigree, it’s probably Nancy’s!” Dakota notes), have resulted in many of the styles the brand has become known for: vibrant stars and hearts, Buddhist medallions, evil eyes, and skulls, each handmade with rich enamel, radiant gemstones, and shimmering diamonds. “It’s a layered approach to design, and for some reason we are so lucky, our ideas are endless,” the pair says of their extensive collections. “New enamel colors or adding existing colors into areas they haven't been could be several collections themselves. Gemstones certainly drive design, as do our personal aesthetics, travel, and experiences.”
Buddha Mama 20k gold star chain necklace with heart, price on request
The Buddha Mama customer base contains multitudes; an average piece ranges in price between $12,000 and $25,000 (though there are items priced at $5,500 and well above $25,000, too). But being serious jewelry buyers is probably the one thing they have in common. “We often spend time trying to figure out who is the Buddha Mama woman, but then one collector walks in in her Lilly Pulitzer, another in Brunello Cucinelli and then some rocked-out mountain vibe woman layered in vintage Etro and Gucci and a cowboy hat, and we throw our hands in the air,” Dakota explains. “Most of the time it's a self-purchaser, but many spouses or significant others are surprising their loves with Buddha Mama. And we find our clients buy all year round, not just specifically for holidays, anniversaries, or birthdays.”
With the late spring’s Couture jewelry show in Las Vegas (one of jewelry's biggest and most beloved trade shows) on the horizon, Buddha Mama is busy preparing its latest offerings to wow the crowds. But they’re not quite ready to divulge and spoilers just yet. “We're continuing to lean into the Celestial Love collection which has been a huge hit for us, and we will forever be adding to and developing our Talisman.
Buddha Mama 20k yellow gold and gemstone ring, price on request
But the new pieces, which will launch in June, remain a secret. Still, we're guessing that the pair’s new Colorado surroundings (as well as their home in Miami), may manifest a new design twist or two. “Miami has possibly been one of our greatest influences, other than the obvious one," Nancy says. "We like the ease of living, the chill vibe, being surrounded by water, and, for us, an old neighborhood with spectacular architecture and diverse people. And now that we're also living in Aspen, you will begin to see what that environment does to our designs."
