How Niña Cuenca and Patty Ang Created Candy Pop

For many moms, jewelry isn’t just an accessory — it’s a keepsake, a memory, a story waiting to be handed down. A ring can carry a milestone. A necklace can hold a chapter of a woman’s life. And sometimes, the most meaningful pieces are born not just from craftsmanship, but from connection.

That’s exactly what happened when Atelier 818 head designer Niña Cuenca met up with fashion designer Patty Ang. What began as an exchange of ideas eventually blossomed into Candy Pop — a collaborative collection that celebrates color, creativity, and the many sides of womanhood.

More than just an aesthetic meeting point, the partnership felt personal. As mothers and creatives, Niña and Patty found common ground in designing pieces that feel joyful yet intentional — playful yet powerful.

What Candy Pop Says About Modern Womanhood

For Niña, Candy Pop captures the duality she believes defines modern leadership — especially for women.

“To be a leader is all about softness and strength,” she tells Modern Parenting. “It’s about balancing openness and decisiveness.”

That openness meant stepping outside of Atelier 818’s comfort zone. Candy Pop marks the brand’s first time working with enamel — a bold move that required research, experimentation, and trust.

“Being open to new ideas and trends was important,” Niña shares. “But decisiveness and instinct came from Patty — her expertise in color, shapes, and the pulse of the collection. The fun and playfulness you see is a reflection of her style and vision. We simply brought it to life through what we know best: engineering jewelry.”

For Patty, the collaboration was an energizing creative exchange.

“As a fashion designer, I’ve learned that women’s minds are always full of ideas,” she says. “But sometimes the real magic happens when you combine your ideas with someone else’s.”

Working with Niña brought a dynamic synergy — supportive, creative, and joyful. “We shared ideas and made the process so fun and playful. That energy is exactly what you see in the collection — bright, candy-colored pieces that feel cheerful and full of life. We literally popped and played.”

How Motherhood Shapes the Creative Process

Motherhood, both designers agree, changes the way you approach risk, creativity, and even success.

Working with a new material like enamel required courage and trust in the process. For Niña, being a mom helped her embrace that challenge.

“As a mother, you become less fearful of risks. Everything becomes more intentional,” she reflects. “You’re not doing it just for yourself anymore. You want to model for your kids the possibilities they can pursue someday — and that it’s okay to try and fail, as long as you learn.”

More than success, Niña hopes to raise children who are led “with creativity, passion, and purpose before they think about achievement.”

Patty echoes the sentiment. Being a mom of two girls has opened a different lens in her design process.

“Watching my girls explore the world with wonder and color inspires me to bring that same playfulness and confidence into Candy Pop,” she shares. “Every piece is a reminder to have fun, be bold, and celebrate joy — just like a child seeing the world for the first time.”

Why Creative Collaboration Works Best With Trust

For Niña, Candy Pop is more than a jewelry collection. It’s proof that collaboration works best when there is a genuine connection and trust.

“Creative minds work best when they genuinely connect with other creative minds,” she says. “Patty has such a strong identity. She knows exactly what she stands for.”

That clarity made the collaboration seamless. There was no overcomplicating the process — just mutual respect and confidence in each other’s strengths.

With trust at the foundation, translating ideas into wearable pieces felt organic. The result is a collection that ranges from pendants to rings — pieces moms can wear on a casual coffee date, to a school event, or even pass down one day.

The Emotional Power of Color in Everyday Jewelry

Like a rainbow after a long day, Candy Pop brings that much-needed burst of color into everyday life. Whether you’re dressing up for a meeting, catching up with fellow moms, or simply wanting to elevate a plain white tee, sometimes all it takes is a playful piece to shift your mood.

Because beyond style, color carries emotion. It sparks conversation. It invites joy.

And in this season of womanhood — juggling careers, motherhood, creativity, and identity — maybe what we all need is a little reminder to pop, play, and embrace every shade of who we are.

After all, being a mom doesn’t mean muting your vibrance. Sometimes, it simply means wearing it proudly.