Issa Rae Releases Intentional Jewelry Collection With Cast – Essence

Issa Rae has unveiled her “Braeve” collection with San Francisco-based jewelry brand Cast. The purposeful collection, designed by Rae, features pieces that can be worn every day as well as pieces that are perfect for a night out with friends. On the terrace of a glamorous guest room at 11 Howard during New York Fashion Week, Rae opened up about how the collaboration came about. Initially, she said she had worn Cast on numerous occasions before the partnership came to fruition.

In fact, she wore the brand on the cover of Fast Company’s September issue, at the American Black Film Festival, and at this year’s 96th Academy Awards. So, naturally, Rae and the brand eventually decided to join forces and work together. Cast was founded and launched in 2021 by co-founders Rachel Skelly and Eric Ryan. Since its launch, the brand has been on a mission to bring artistically designed jewelry and warmth to the fine jewelry market.

The “Braeve” collection features 22 pieces in 14k gold, sterling silver, and black onyx, as well as lab-grown diamonds that the company calls Cast-created diamonds. Prices range from $250 to $5,900, and the pieces are available exclusively online at Cast’s website and Nordstrom’s official website.

A few days ago, Rae shared that hearing her co-founder’s vision for who she was marketing her brand to, beyond Skelly, the co-founder and creative director, and her passion for jewelry, was compelling. The actress and entrepreneur also expressed admiration for Cast for the way she reinvents storytelling around jewelry and gifting. “Typically, when jewelry is sold, it’s about a man gifting women jewelry to complete them in some way,” she said. “It made me question my relationship with jewelry and when I started investing in myself.”

She added that when the idea of ​​a collaboration came up, she almost immediately felt like it was fate to work with Cast—on an artistic level, the collaboration speaks to her. Especially since it would give her the opportunity to make jewelry that she could pass on. “I didn’t want to pass up (the) opportunity.”

Rae says the partnership was named “Braeve” because of the idea that pieces like the Braeve pendant necklace can be worn from morning to night. “What the jewelry does is that when I put it on, I feel like I’m armed for the day.” Rae also notes that jewelry that includes pieces from the collection gives you the opportunity to feel like you’ve armed yourself in the way you want to present yourself. “These pieces are elevating enough to represent who I want to be,” she added.

On the subject of accessibility and jewelry, Rae details that there are different points of accessibility and that Cast will definitely make that part of the partnership. “It’s an investment, it’s pieces that you can wear for a long time and have for years,” she said.

Which of Rae’s rings are her personal favorites from the premiere? She stated that she loves all rings, and the Braeve pendant necklace is another favorite. “It’s also a play on Cast’s signature ring, the flip ring,” she said.

Stunning accessories from the collaboration include the Braeve ring, which is crafted in sterling silver with lab-grown diamonds and 14k gold with the same diamonds mentioned earlier. The collection includes huggies, a subdued pendant necklace, elegant cuffs that are currently in style, and of course, hoop earrings, because Rae is a hoop lover.

Before we wrap up our conversation, Rae shares that the release of this thoughtful jewelry collection is a physical representation of her creativity—noting that she wanted each piece to be unique. When asked what audience she had in mind for the collaboration, she said, “It’s for people who feel like they’re ready to step up and become who they’re meant to be.”

“Whether she’s in front of or behind the camera, she brings incredible authenticity, creativity, and purpose to everything she does,” Skelly shared of working with the HOORAE Media founder. “We knew this collaboration would be no exception, especially given her unique style and creative vision.”

The “Braeve” collection by Cast is currently available at Nordstrom.com and castjewerly.com.