The Power of Buddha - And Beads

Ever wonder why the teens in Paris and Potsdam wear the same style jeans? This week PERI launches an occasional look at how trends jump borders. In other words, how something that's hot got that way. We kick off with Buddhism-inspired beaded bracelets, now making their rounds in New York and L.A.
The story of how they conquered the United States and where they are going next:

September 1998:
Inspired by Buddhist meditation bracelets and crystal healing, New York designer Zoe Metro has the idea for a line of beaded jewelry.

January 1999:
Metro launches her Stella Pace line, including what she calls Power Beads, bracelets that are colour coded by the 'power' of their stones.

May 1999:
Self magazine, having spotted several celebrities wearing the beads, runs a full-page story on the bracelets. Sales skyrocket. U.S. wholesalers take off for East Asia to have copies made.

July 1999:
By now Ricky Martin and Madonna have worn them.

August 1999: Factories in Asia have successfully reproduced the designs, in every material from glass to plastic. Within weeks the New York street vendor stalls are overflowing with Power-Bead knockoffs.

September 1999:
Bracelets go on sale in Printemps and Harrods; a German fashion magazine runs a story.

October 1999:
Metro plans to fly to London to open a showroom, beginning a major marketing push into Europe.

From Newsweek