For Issa Rae, jewelry is a form of self-expression—and self-care.
The actress, writer and producer has long been an outspoken advocate for women, so when the opportunity arose to collaborate with Cast Jewelry, she couldn’t refuse it. The three-year-old fine jewelry brand, co-founded by Rachel Skelly and Eric Ryan, emphasizes the importance of women recognizing their worth and investing in themselves. “It really spoke to me, especially in the way that [Skelly and Ryan] mentioned how jewelers will usually push men to buy women’s jewelry,” Rae tells PEOPLE exclusively. “They’re waiting for that guy to buy you this piece. And as someone who lives for the empowerment of women [their approach] it was a real pleasure to hear.”
“Collaborating with Issa Rae for this collection was a dream come true,” Skelly says via press release. “Whether she’s in front of or behind the camera, she brings such incredible authenticity, creativity and purpose to everything she does. We knew this collaboration would be no exception, especially with her unique style and creative vision.”
Issa Rae for cast jewelry.
Courtesy of Cast Jewelry
The Braeva collection features 22 pieces of 14k gold, sterling silver, black onyx and diamonds crafted in Cast, the company’s exclusive collection of lab-grown diamonds. Modern and versatile, the pieces fit a range of budgets with prices ranging from $250 to $5,900.
Issa Rae Says She’s Called President Barbie on the Street: ‘I’m Like, Hi, Yeah!’
The collection also pays homage to Rae’s personal style. As a child, she stole her mother’s jewelry, especially her earrings. “There were those bulky hoops she had that I loved and wore in high school,” the star recalls. “And she used to say, ‘Take it off. Stop.'”
The PEOPLE Puzzler has arrived! How fast can you solve it? Play now!
As a nod to her lifelong love of hoops, the Braeve collection features The Braeve Hoop, with a unique silhouette that feels both classic and modern.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(512x0:514x2)/Issa-Rae-Cast-Jewelry-Braeve-Collection-091624-1-c28d9aab82734db4abc8b7a082deeff3.jpg)
Issa Rae for cast jewelry.
Courtesy of Cast Jewelry
Growing up a self-proclaimed “jeans and T-shirt, Chucks kind of girl,” Rae didn’t have a particularly feminine style as an adult—that is, until Barbie. The blockbuster film, in which she played President Barbie, not only created a buzz at the box office, but sparked a playful style streak on and off the red carpet.
“It was such a fun fashion moment,” says Rae. “It was such a permission, in a way, to be extremely girly in a way that I had never approached before… Barbie he just allowed me to be unapologetically feminine in a way that stayed in my heart. I still hate pink, but it was such a fun moment.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(829x360:831x362)/Issa-Rae-Cast-Jewelry-Braeve-Collection-091624-3-b782722615e74f5b94e850654a0b163e.jpg)
Issa Rae for cast jewelry.
Courtesy of Cast Jewelry
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to interesting people stories.
The Braeva collection also looks to the future. Instead of focusing too much on trends, Rae aimed to create pieces that can become heirlooms.
“I had to feel like this was coming from me,” she says, “and something that I’m passing down, so that my nephews and nieces, future children, whatever that might be, would also feel proud to wear them.” The Braeve Collection releases on September 17, 2024 at Cast Boutiques, CastJewelry.com and exclusively at select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education