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Canterbury jeweller: ‘Margot Robbie is wearing my jewellery in new Barbie movie!’

By: Ruth Cassidy rcassidy@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:00, 17 June 2023

Updated: 12:07, 19 June 2023

Thrilled jewellery makers were astounded to spot actress Margot Robbie wearing earrings they designed in a trailer for the upcoming Barbie movie.

The owners of Sugar & Vice, based in Canterbury, only discovered their work featured in the blockbuster after spotting the anchor-shaped charms online.

Margot Robbie as Barbie wearing Sugar & Vice’s blue anchor design. Picture: Warner Bros.

Company owners Sarah Victoria and Matt Arnold knew Warner Bros. purchased some of their laser cut designs last February.

But as time went on, the pair had mostly lost hope of seeing their work on the silver screen - until a surreal cinema visit earlier this year.

During the trailers, Sarah noticed Barbie featured a range of vibrant and brightly coloured plastic jewellery.

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Yet because the images quicky flashed across the screen, Sarah did not recognise her and Matt’s handiwork adourning the famous Hollywood star.

Some days later, Matt would discover their earrings had been viewed by millions when he came across a fast-spreading online image, known as a meme.

Sarah explained: “I first saw the trailer in the cinema and I saw there was a lot of laser cut jewellery and maybe I was being pessimistic but I didn’t think it was ours.

“It wasn’t until Matt saw them in a meme that we realised our charms had been used - it was quite a shock but I was absolutely thrilled.

“Matt and I met online 17 years ago and then started the business a year later. It started off as more of a hobby really, then about a year in I quit my job to do it full time.

“We’ve made a lot of designs over the years but some of my favourites are the ones inspired by cryptids as well as all our movie-related pieces.”

Sarah and Matt from Sugar & Vice were shocked to spot their design being worn by Margot Robbie in the upcoming Barbie movie. Picture: Sugar & Vice

Barbie is an upcoming Hollywood fantasy comedy which is set to star Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, with Greta Gerwig directing.

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The film will feature a large ensemble cast, jam-packed with stars including America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon and Will Ferrell.

Costume design for Barbie is being done by Jacqueline Durran, who has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design eight times and won twice for her work in Anna Karenina and Little Women.

Out July 21, the film follows Barbie travelling the real world searching for true happiness after being expelled from Barbieland for being a less-than-perfect doll.

The film has another Kentish link as the soundtrack features a song from Tiktok pop star, PinkPantheress who was raised in the county.

Her single Angel is in good company with the score including songs from Charli XCX, Haim, Ice Spice, Lizzo and Nicki Minaj.

Sugar & Vice, based in Canterbury, drew inspiration from the “stunning effects of oil on tarmac glistening in the sun” for this abstract necklace. Picture: Sugar & Vice
The anchor charms featured in the the film can be purchased from SV Charms for £3.75 for a pack of three. Picture: Sugar & Vice

The Canterbury jewellery brand has also had pieces appear on the BBC, This Morning and their work has even been worn by American singer and actress Miley Cyrus.

Sugar & Vice has been making laser cut accessories for 16 years from their studio in Canterbury’s Westgate neighbourhood.

The business has two branches, their bespoke accessories from their flagship Sugar & Vice and their more wholesale jewellery parts store under the name SV Charms.

Production crew for Barbie purchased the bright blue anchor charms from SV Charms for just £3.75 before making them into earrings in house.

Sarah, 40, said inspiration for her designs comes from almost everywhere but particularly from nature and pop culture.

This is reflected in their brightly coloured graphic designs including daffodils, rainbows and the mythical monster Bigfoot, which have attracted a dedicated following.

Sugar & Vice offers a huge range of brightly coloured designs. Picture: Sugar & Vice
Sarah Victoria (left) and Margot Robbie wearing Sugar & Vice’s anchor inspired charms. Picture: Sugar & Vice / Warner Bros.

The business partners said they have considered opening their first bricks and mortar shop “but times are tough for small businesses right now” although they would “never rule it out”.

In a social media post the brand shared immediately after spotting their design in the trailer, they said: “When we sold some anchor charms to the Warner Bros. set last year, we didn't want to get our hopes up....but there they are!”

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