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 World According to M.I.S.S.: California Courts Uphold Prop 8 Ban

This past Tuesday, May 26th, the California Supreme Court made its ruling in whether the states ban on gay marriage would stand. Unfortunately for the LGBT couples who are currently married and the millions more who’d like to be, the court voted to uphold Proposition 8 and further barricade those seeking to enter into the institution of marriage.

The California courts decision is the latest chapter in a issue that has taken the US by storm in recent years. Ironically California originally had a hand in leading the way towards legalizing gay marriage back in 2008, but in November voters dubbed Proposition 8 amended in the California Constitution to now state that marriage between a man and a woman is the only valid form of marriage and all others should be banned.

“The ruling is likely to galvanize the movement to same-sex marriage even further,” said Julie Nice, professor of constitutional law and sexuality law at the University of San Francisco. “There’s no question it mobilizes the supporters who feel they lost.”

Although gay marriage has been banned for the moment, the silver lining in this ongoing debate is that the numerous amounts of homosexual couples married before the ban took place are permitted to remain legally married.

“You get knocked down, you’ve got to get back up,” Nieto said Wednesday. “It may not happen today, and it may not happen tomorrow… but we’re back up.”

In an ideal and perfect world equal liberties for all men would never be in question. The US Pledge of Allegiance says that we  have “equal liberties and justice for all” yet who we can and cannot legally married is still being fought over. There seems to be a lack of separation between  church and state.

I’m not married, but I know people that are, and what I know about the institution is that its based on love and trust; committing your entire being to another individual. In my mind and in the minds of many, the sex of that person should not be in question. This argument is about allowing people to have to right to make that commitment, even if it doesn’t make sense to you. Anything else is under the category of ‘separate but equal‘ and we all know how that works.

But I’m going to anyway. The upcoming presidential election will have an effect on us for the next 20 to 30 years. How? When you elect a president, you also need to look at his stance on the forgotten 3rd Branch of government - The Supreme Court. The President nominates potential Justices and once nominated and confirmed to the Supreme Court, Justices keep their positions for life. That means that whomever our next president nominates to the Supreme Court may have that position for many, many years.

I just read this article on NPR discussing the wide ideological differences between Obama and McCain on the abortion issue. Republican presumptive nominee McCain “has said that he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark court decision from the 1970s that legalized abortion.” VERY SCARY. Read the full article on how the 2 men differ on their stances here. Make informed decisions. Register to Vote. That’s one to grow on.