VTG Kippy’s Swarovski Stud Belt - Y2K Western Maximalism McBling

Kippy’s wasn’t technically a mall store, but by the early 2000s, its rhinestone-studded belts were the luxury inspiration for what we saw inside of them.

Before Buckle had a wall of bedazzled belts in every color, California designer Bob “Kippy” Kipperman was making the real deal: genuine leather belts hand-embellished with Swarovski crystals, studs, charms, and oversized stones. 

By the Y2K era, Kippy’s sparkling accessories had been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna, and Steven Tyler, eventually trickling down to our mall stores in a surge of western maximalism and boho glam styles.

The biggest difference, of course, is the craftsmanship and the true beauty of handmade items. It’s the reason these belts have lasted so many years without ripping or losing their gems, unlike the copycats we saw at Wet Seal. The quality construction is evident, and vintage Kippy’s belts will enjoy their victory lap for the current Y2K McBling revival. 

Details

Year: Late 90s-early 00s
Tagged size: 34
Fit: Adjustable 30 inches to 34 inches
Condition: Broken-in leather consistent with age
Materials: Genuine leather and Swarovski crystal

Every piece is individually sourced and evaluated as per The Mall Vault Standard.