B SIDE's new collection entitled "Rights"!

M.I.S.S previously brought you the scoop on B-side, the line of hand-crafted graffiti inspired and geometric jewelery taking the blogosphere and boutiques alike by storm. So imagine how delighted we were when we got the chance to preview their new collection, entitled “Rights”!

The bangles, rings, necklaces, and earrings in the collection all feature the Supreme Court case numbers.

“Rights” is a conceptual collection, aimed at spotlighting the difficulties that marginalized minority groups face. Designers Dana Chin and Ken Leung came up with the brilliant idea to base the pieces around four pivotal Supreme Court cases: Romer v. Evans (protects against discrimination by sexual orientation), Leser v. Garnett (upholds women’s right to vote), Brown v. Board of Education (desegregates schools), and Loving v. Virginia (legalizes interracial marriage). The bangles, rings, necklaces, and earrings all feature the Supreme Court case numbers, which have been either etched or stenciled onto brass and enamel to create a look that stays true to B-side’s funky, street-based aesthetic.

Scarves from India combined with the graphic cubes.

Stand out pieces were the bronzed bangles, which much like their previous work features graffiti designs, but now layered over and beneath the bold case numbers. Similarly, the subtly crafted rings played off of B-Side’s trademark sculptural style, resulting in an innovative overlapping bar ring with the vital case numbers etched into the silver.

The 18" necklace features case numbers etched onto a silver panel.

Another stunner piece was the 18″ necklace, which featured the case numbers etched onto a silver panel, which was then mounted onto a black base. Geometric brass cubes and a small chunk of authentic stones (amethyst and quartz are just some of the raw materials used) also hung off the thin silver chain– this necklace will definitely be a crowd pleasing part of your collection.

B-Side was also generous enough to give us the exlusive preview of some as-of-yet unfinished designs, and they are dope!  The designing duo imported printed scarves from India and combined the silken fabrics with the graphic cube work from their previous lines. The result is a unique piece with a choose-your-own-adventure concept– it can be worn as a scarf, tied as a shorter necklace, or laced up around your wrist as a wrapped bracelet. The options are endless, and appreciated in this recession!

B-Side’s “Rights” collection is socially consciously beyond just the visual aspect– a portion of all proceeds will go the Harlem Childrens’ Zone, which Dana and Ken are also working in conjunction with to assist with arts’ education. Cost worthy, socially reponsible, and most of all perfectly stylish, keep an eye open for B-Side’s latest on their online store. Expect pieces to drop later this month!

The Dynasties Fall 09 Preview

Early fall, M.I.S.S brought you the exclusive scoop on the brand new jewlery line, The Dynasties.  Brainchild of the fabulous Rika Shimada, it was love at first sight when I first laid eyes on the dookie rope style hoops and cute sterling silver bow-rings. Needless to say, I was beyond amped when I had a chance to stop by Pitch Control PR’s showroom to view the upcoming Fall collection.

The Dynasties Fall 09 Preview

The Dynasties did not disappoint! The collection is part carry-over from last season’s designs and the new pieces are a step up from the street-influenced direction the line initially seemed headed for. Upgrading with the use of jewels, the cute factor was in full feminine effect with earrings consisting of a line of alternating mini silver hoops and jeweled hearts. Keeping with the girly-esque theme were the sterling-silver stackable rings adorned with miniature hearts. Slip a couple of those on and you’re sure to look tastefully fly.

The Dynasties Fall 09 Preview

More bold was the large oval-faced jeweled ring. With it’s gorgeous flint, black, and white marbled coloring the cocktail ring was a stand-out piece worthy of a whimsical party dress or finest kicks!

The Dynasties Fall 09 Preview

The Dynasties’ hottest pieces from Spring are making an encore appearance, including the Chain Rope necklaces that double as headbands. The new collection will certainly give your accessories drawer a lady-like boost for Fall!

For more on The Dynasties, please visit: www.thedynasties.com

B-Side Jewelry

Enamel, silver, brass… there’s something about these elements that calls to mind the jewelry of a women in her 50’s decked in bangles, rings, huge eyeglass frames, and a bright windbreaker suit on her way to a game of bingo (active imagination, much?). Those very elements are what jewelry designers Ken Leung and  Dana Chin use to create their eclectic line of earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets. Ken and Dana’s line B-Side is “jewelry remixed” with shapes, colors and images pulling from the advent of hip-hop and graffiti as an art form during NYC’s cultural revolution in the 80’s.

B-Side Jewelry

The jewelry is fun yet refined with designs that include brass plate pendants on multi-chain necklaces, unique “handcuff” bracelets, chandelier earrings with precious rough-cut stones, and cocktail rings. Many of the pieces from the Graffiti collection feature graffiti tags that read “Legalize art,” “art crimez,” and “onefortyfivesixty.” B-Side’s Cube collection uses the cube to create geometric styles that cascade and overlap. And since most of the jewelry is hand-made, there’s less chance of another girl having the same exact jewelry which makes for a truly unique piece. The jewelry line also includes tie-clips, cuff links and money clips that could work for both women and men that want to liven up the business attire.

B-Side Jewlery

You can check out the jewelry at shop.kenanddanadesign.com or Moxsie.com

Jules Kim, better known as Bijules NYC, just dropped a spooky viral video to promote her fabulous baubles. The video features some pretty rad music from Lucky Dragons and is reminiscent of Bjork’s video for “Human Behavior.” It’s hard to catch all the beauty in one viewing of the flick, so make sure you watch it a few times to check the finger gems, the ingenious hand puppets (A crab! A bunny!), the stellar way the models have their “nails did,” and check for Bijules’ own arms featured in the video. Hint: to find her specifically, look for some forearm tattoos which look like deadly weapons! Check out the video below:

Founded in 2002 by designer Bjørg Nordli-Mathisen and her husband Geir Eriksen Mathisen, Bjørg Jewellery brings an alternative accent to ‘cool’ in the accessory game. Every material is handmade, carefully selected, and customized to Bjørg’s vision which is “unpredictable, surprising, and not-yet known” with 925 pure silver and natural precious stones from all over the world. Pure gold, quartz, rainbow moonstone, green amethysts, sapphires, even hematite and drusie. And they’re all as beautiful, rare, and exotic as they sound. The prices can range from 51$ - 600$ USD and soon you’ll be able to purchase the jewelry online.

Check out the groundreaking promo for the collection below:

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Fresh out of New York City, there’s a new line of jewelry on the streets that’s sure to catch your eye.  Not your typical accessories collection, Je M’aime’s debut line is comprised of two and three finger rings with designs as unique as they are glamorous. Each piece is made of 24-karat vermeil.

From the debut collection, each of the five pieces has its own flare and personality. The “Voulez Vous” is a three-finger ring with intricate pearl detailing, lady-like but at the same time perfectly paired with a pair of sneakers and jeans for a seamless casual look.  Next up is the “9:15″ ring, this time it’s a two-finger piece that’s available in yellow gold or silver.  The “9:15″ is universal: in both colors, matches any outfit, and its minimalist design is sure to have widespread appeal.  The “JM Deck” features a geometric design set in pink gold vermeil, while the “Caribou” is described as “the most ethereal of the collection.”

The “Sphinxxx” is perhaps the most intriguing piece of Je M’aime’s debut collection. The name says it all, and this two-finger piece will definitely inspire others to envy you when they see it on your hand.  Featuring the Egyptian icon the sphinx, this piece sets itself apart from the rest of the collection with its individuality.

Prices range from $175 to $315 - definitely a worthwhile investment for a piece you’ll wear for years to come. You can shop Je M’aime’s online store via the company’s web site.

Last month we got a quick look at the upcoming Alex & Chloe t-shirt line “Forever and Never” that will be hitting stores in May. At a time when we’re overloaded with loud graphic tees, it’s nice to be able to have something a little cleaner and more grown-up when needed! Minimalism at its finest, the tees feature the trademark geometric patterns and shapes we’ve come to know the label for, with a muted palette of black, white, dark violet and navy – renamed black smoke, white smoke, purple dusk, and galaxy blue.

A standout piece for me is the “Laced” tee in white smoke – a collabo with Brian Lichtenberg. I know I said I was a bit over the whole loud print thing, but we can make an exception here right? The Laced tee has an all-over print made up of a bunch of different patterns - does sound a little bizarre, but at the hands of Mr Lichtenberg, it works.

“Forever and Never” doesn’t drop until May, but till then feast your eyes on the eerily beautiful “Tar” collection of necklaces and bracelets - “beautiful and odd objects found in the depths of the earth and sea, blackened in ‘tar’.”  By “beautiful and odd objects” we’re talking brass keys, cone shells, and a kinda creepy rabbit foot made to look like they’re well, coated in tar! Hung from antique adjustable brass chain, each piece is unique, varying in size, shape, and texture.  Jewelery that can work either as a subtle addition to any outfit or worn as a statement piece - and with the majority of pieces around the $65 mark, why are you still reading this?

Take a look at more from both collections on the next page.

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Nervous System is a jewelry line founded by Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg.   Inspired by natural beauty and shapes found in nature, they use “both algorithmic and physical tools to create innovative products and environments.”  The result is jewelry pieces that are eerily beautiful, and strangely familiar since the shapes mimic processes in nature.  Made from materials like wool industrial felt and silicon rubber, to stainless steel and gold, all Nervous System products are made ethically.  Nervous System’s intelligent design resonates with our base human instincts and is truly original in it’s natural, scientific approach to design.  My favorites include the Radiolaria necklace, Radiolaria bracelet and Radial necklace.  All pieces are for sale on the Nervous System website. 

Read the rest of the story to see more photos.

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When Biggie said, “Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way…“, Kerri O’Connell took note and created Good Wood NYC, a Brooklyn based company that focuses on hand carved rings. This creative lady saw a need for sustainable accessories and filled it. No diamonds or gold, just good wood from Mother Earth. Kerri has been bringing the vibe of an environmentally friendly Radio Raheem to the masses and, with amazing collabos waiting in the wings, there’s no sign of her slowing down!

Beginning with rings, Kerri extended the line to custom pendants, bracelets and earrings.

All Good Wood NYC pieces are handmade and designed by Kerri along with a “team of wood carving elves”…who I picture rockin’ track-suits and kicks. The pieces are intricately hand carved into light and dark wood and sanded for the smoothest results.

Today we honor, Kerri O’Connell for her creative and innovative mind, as she takes the essence of Hip Hop into the next century. Read on after the jump to learn more about Kerri and Good Wood NYC!

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Cubannie Links is an independently owned, home based jewelry collection, best known for unconventional jewelry and light weight “big earrings”…but you already knew that! Who can believe that this ubiquitous brand only just launched in 2007?! What began as a hobby has now evolved into individual high craftsmanship jewelry pieces and can be seen on celebrities and fashionistas alike. Oh and this has to be said: who can deny that this brand has one of the best names in the game!? A hint of eras past is found in the CL collection, but new forward thinking and mindfulness of what “THAT GIRL” desires is key to CL’s success. Founder & Designer Annie Basulto has been getting amazing notoriety as being one of the new fresh designers on the scene and today we honor her as a woman making history.

Above: Some CL pieces are featured on artist Cuci Amador, of Afrobeta, in a Calle 13 (a huge group in the latin community) video “Electro Movimiento”. Looks fun, right?! Click here, or the image above, for that video.

We have A LOT MORE from Annie and Cubannie Links below the cut, including a handwritten interview, a look at her workspace and a closer look at the CL collection!

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