In 2023, the entertainment industry is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a defining force in music and culture, and jewelery designer Simone I. Smith says she intends to extend and reap this well-deserved recognition.
The founder and designer of her eponymous jewelery company is marking that half-century with her latest collection, Majesty, which debuted June 1st. According to Smith, her muses include her husband, beloved rapper and actor LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, and their son, Nagy Smith.
“We wanted to pay tribute to this anniversary, where hip-hop culture has set the tone of fashion for the past 50 years. We also wanted to celebrate men with Cuban chains, rope chains, medallions and more. says Simone I. Smith. “This is a jewel fit for a king.”
Smith also entered into a new partnership with Daniels Jewelers to bring her brand to 120 locations nationwide. At Daniels, you’ll find Smith’s new King Her Men’s Her line, as well as Simone I. Smith’s Women’s Her jewelery. She adds new pieces and collections of hers to Daniel’s store each season.
Although Majesty’s pieces are designed for men, anyone can wear them, Smith said, noting that she wears Majesty’s bracelets as anklets.
“Every design tells a story,” says Smith, who launched the brand in 2011. While jewelry design is an outlet for her creativity, she says the involvement of her children and her husband makes her job so rewarding.
“I wanted to be the go-to designer for women to give them great hoops,” says Smith. She wanted to design elegant and high quality products and started her company with her hoop earrings. She wanted to offer her customers earrings and other jewelry that complimented their style, Smith says, because many of the hoops available at the time were cheaply made.
She partnered with jewelry industry veteran and current CEO of the brand, Ronnie Selliktor, to design her signature hoop earrings, as well as men’s and women’s jewelry including rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches.
Smith says he is thrilled to be working with Daniels Jewelers, the nation’s fourth largest independent jewelery company. Headquartered in Culver City, Daniel’s has been in business since 1948 and is his third generation owner. Smith jewelry is also sold at major department stores such as Macy’s.
The designer says she is proud of what her brand is today, and that collections such as Majesty show her progress. “I’m looking forward to stopping people and saying, ‘This is Majesty’s work,'” says Smith.
Above: Rapper LL Cool J and Najee Smith, husband and son of designer Simone I. Smith, were muses for the new Majesty collection. (Photo credit: Simone I. Smith)
follow me Instagram and twitter
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
