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Designers: PepsiCo Design and Innovation, PepsiCo, New York, New York, USA
Manufacturer: PepsiCo, New York, New York, USA

Pepsi solved the ultimate manicure mishap, with style. When social chatter exposed a universal truth—long nails and can tabs don’t mix—we turned that insight into action. Enter the Pepsi Ring: a sculptural, silver statement piece that opens cans without chipping manis. Crafted with fashion-world finesse, our team in Europe brought the look of our iconic cola to an unapologetically modern accessory. We transformed an everyday frustration into a conversation-starting solution.

Rocking long nails has been an enduring trend, and they’re an expression of identity. But they come with everyday frustrations, namely that popping a can could often mean breaking a nail. We saw the opportunity to turn a common complaint into a moment of design-led joy. Equal parts clever and covetable, the Pepsi Ring turned a common complaint into a fashion-forward solution, proving that great design starts by listening to the people we serve. Long live long nails.

The Pepsi Ring blurs the line between fashion and function, transforming a practical fix into a striking statement. Created in partnership with LongPlay Jewels, the piece was crafted from 925 sterling silver and set with precision-cut white zirconias, delivering a luxe finish. A built-in tab-lifter discreetly adds function to form, making it as useful as it is beautiful. The sculptural silhouette echoes the pulse lines of the refreshed Pepsi identity which makes it unmistakably ours. This was a limited-edition, collectible drop designed for the style-savvy and socially engaged.

A viral teaser from global music artist Bad Gyal lit the match, and strategic influencer seeding carried the spark across fashion and beauty circles. With over 500 million impressions and £861K in earned media (with zero paid promotion), it became an instant sellout and a viral hit. During the campaign, Pepsi saw a +20% sales uplift and a +5pp boost in perceived uniqueness. From TikTok buzz to Vogue and S Moda spreads, the Pepsi Ring proved that even small problems deserve bold design.

Transforming an everyday struggle into a true style statement, Pepsi Ring nailed our brand’s forward-thinking, culture-driven approach to design, where everyday challenges inspire unexpected and stylish solutions.