TIED UP // Woodstock turns 40 this August and in the waning days of summer we are all taking a nostalgic look back at the summer of ‘69.

Links of London

This was a time when the ideologies of free love, unity and friendship dominated the counter culture. The friendship bracelet encapsulated the spirit of these ideas representing the tried and true bond between friends, which if removed manually signaled the beginning of the end. Typically the knotted Native American inspired friendship bracelets have gone through many incarnations over the last four decades and unfortunately became trivialized with girl’s sleepovers and summer camp.

Flash forward to the summer of ‘09 and designers are letting their inner children speak by giving B.F.F’s a modern take on the classic bracelet. Local New York designer Scosha weaves linen with metal and stone for an earthy look. Scosha’s jewelry embraces the bohemian style and draws inspiration from everyday life. Paul Smith offers black silk thread accentuated with silver beads perfect for wearing alone or stacking. Links of London uses a unique sterling silver design, hand woven with black and colored thread. These grown-up, yet casual, examples provide a reprieve from the chevron-patterned styles of childhood.

Of course if you’d rather embrace (no-pun intended) the DIY hippie mentality, try a hand at making your own. Its certainly less costly, you can be creative and it becomes a more personal, meaningful gift for your BFF.