A bracelet that is quickly becoming a fashion trend has ties to Massachusetts.
Lokai bracelets are the latest accessory sported by celebrities.
The idea for the bracelets was born in Massachusetts.
"I came up with the idea for Lokai about five years ago," founder and CEO Steven Izen said. "I was 19 years old. I was on the beach in Nantucket."
A Chestnut Hill native, Izen said his grandfather’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease inspired him to come up with an idea to stay positive.
"I was thinking about the highs and lows that everyone goes through in life, and how it’s always important to remain balanced," he said.
That got him thinking about the highest and lowest points on Earth: Mount Everest and the Dead Sea.
His idea was to take elements from both places and put them inside a bracelet.
The mud was easier to get, but the water, not so much.
"I started calling people in Nepal, any number I could get a hold of, and told people the idea and at first they laughed and thought it was funny but they really loved it and they were willing to help, so I was eventually able to find a group of sherpas on Mt. Everest that help collect the water for us," Izen said.
After coming up with the design, the first bracelets were sold at local stores.
"Brookline, Boston, will always have a really special place in my heart, especially because that was really where I started," Izen said. "Where I knocked on doors, where I walked down the street and got Lokai started."
Now, Lokai’s are sold in more than 160 countries and have been spotted on local sports starts like Julian Edelman and David Ortiz.
The band are more than just a fashion trend. Different colors represent different causes.
"We partnered with charity water (blue band) and built 30 wells in Ethiopia," he said. "And this past October, we actually were able to raise over $800,000 for Susan G. Komen (pink band)."
Lokai has also partnered with the World Wildlife Fund and Save the Children, with 10 percent of all proceeds going to several other charities.
Last year, Lokai donated almost $3 million.
"I think a lot of it just ties back to the message and it really can relate to anyone, no matter who you are, where you’re from or how old you are, so it’s really become a global brand," he said.
In February, Lokai came full circle. Izen, whose inspiration was his grandfather’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s announced a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association.
(Copyright (c) 2016 Sunbeam Television. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)