ACCESSORIES
The Crowning Glory of
NNEKA JACKSON
Nneka Jackson | Jewelry & Costume Designer | Image Tyrone Holmes | Makeup George McKenney
“The passion… Inspiration. Whatever I am going through comes out in my work. I’ve often said my pain is beautiful because it truly is. ”
Golden Orange Rainbow Crystal Goggles: $175 | All images Steve Ragland Photography (except where noted) | Makeup Faces By Rochelle Darlene
By Kimberly Davis | Contributing Style Editor | Opening segment Roberé Lett | Publisher & Style Editor
There's a certain majesty in a crown, often seen only on Royals and heads of state, beauty queens, and prom girls. The crown has now taken on a whole new aura and life of its own. Leading that charge is Nneka Jackson. Her jewelry has graced our pages several times over the years, always innovative and majorly creative. Nneka's recognition of her enormous talents has been looming and now is taking center stage. Newly awarded as one of the top ten recipients of the Design Core's Design in The City competition sponsored by Gucci Changemakers, we hope to see her collections rise to super international status filling the runways and fashion campaigns worldwide.
Marsha Music (aka Marsha Battle Philpot) wears a crown designed by Nneka Jackson | Image Credit...Brittany Greeson for The New York Times
Garnering attention from the press Nneka’s show stopping headpiece she created for local celebrity Marsha Music (aka Marsha Battle Philpot), a Detroit artist, writer, cultural historian who wrote and read poetic narration for the production of Michigan Opera Twilight: Gods” to glowing revues.
Nneka took time out of her busy scheduled to speak with our very own Haute is Magazine style maven Kimberly Davis (www.just_kimberly.com) to answer a few burning questions about her journey in the industry and what lies ahead.
Q & A
Q. How long have you have you been in the industry?
A. I've actually been in the industry over 10 year's
Q. How do you decide what you want to create? What motivates you ? A dream .. A thought.. A Memory . Current affairs?
A. Honestly it could actually be everything you just mentioned. A lot of my pieces are actually a part of my dreams. What type of materials work well together and which materials do not? There really isn't materials that don't work well together for me. I use a lot of unconventional things to create with. Things that we're not really meant to be used for jewelry that I just decided to use anyway.
Liliia wears: Gold Chain Flower drop Headpiece: $250 | Gold Crystal Mask: $125
Q. What is the name of your next collection(s)?
A. I actually have no idea..lol
Q. How do you express emotions in your designs?
A. The passion… Inspiration Whatever I am going through comes out in my work. I've often said my pain is beautiful..because it truly is.
Q. How would describe your design style?
A. I would say my design style is very unconventional. Organized Chaos.
Alyssa wears: Gold Chain Flower drop Headpiece: $250 Gold claw pinky ring: $40 Gold Crystal Necklace: $175 (Both images)
STYLE NOTE:
Photography | Steve Ragland | MUA Rochelle Darlene | Styling & Art Direction| Roberé Lett & Nneka Jackson
Ashley wears: Black and white Crystal motorcycle goggles: $150 | Black and white Crystal 5 finger glove: $150 | Silver Crystal drop Top/Mask: $175
Lillia wears: Gold Crystal Flower Royal Crown: $350 Gold Crystal Leaf Mask: $200 Gold claw ring: $40
DETROIT CITY OF DESIGN. In December 2015, Detroit was designated as a UNESCO City of Design, a recognition bestowed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization on cities demonstrating a legacy of and commitment to creativity as a tool for economic development.
Design in the City competition, made possible by a $45,000 grant from Gucci as a part of its new Changemakers Impact Fund. Design Core Detroit was awarded the grant in recognition of their work leveraging Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation in order to stimulate inclusive economic growth in the city. Thanks to additional support from Bedrock, the program expanded to additional locations downtown. Design in the City installations will be on view September 1-30, 2020 during the 10-year anniversary edition of Detroit Month of Design.
Q. Do you have a mentor? How did you get started?
A. No I don't have a mentor. I actually have been creating thing's since I was a little girl. I didn't start selling jewelry until I had my daughter many moons ago. I used to make Mommy and me pieces for her and I. People couldn't believe this little baby had these intricate pieces. I soon got requests from other moms and that's how it began.
Q. How has COVID19 affected your business and what direction do you see the fashion industry going ..COVID19
Q. Do you have any upcoming shows ? How can the readers get in touch with you?
A. I do not have any upcoming shows as of now. My website is nnekaj.com. My Instagram is @bflyy7
Q. What is your favorite collection or piece?
A. My favorite collection is actually on display right now at Coup D'etat in the Cadillac Building. It is actually called "We Exist " It's a part of Design Core's 10 year anniversary. I am a winner along with 7 other designers for Design Core's Design in The City competition sponsored by Gucci Changemakers.
All Images: www.steveragland.com
Ashley wears: Red Swarovski Encrusted Goggles: $150 Red Swarovski drop Earrings : $60 Red Swarovski Royal Neckpiece: $175
Coup D'état
This year Coup D’etat Boutique displayed Jackson’s “WE EXIST” exhibition, in partnership with Gucci Change Makers 2020 “Design in the City” competition during Design Core Detroit’s 10th year of #DetroitMonthofDesign.
Nneka‘s exhibition is an #afrofuturism display using wearable art, movement, light, + sound to create different personas of people who look like her in the future.
Check out the images below from her curated exhibit “We Exist”
As part of the competition, the winners were partnered with several business entities to create their installations, infusing the businesses with new potential clientele and the designers a location to introduce their creativity. Below are a few images from the extraordinary exhibition.
Images Roberé Lett for Haute Is Online Magazine www.hauteisonline.com
For more of Nneka’s designs or to make your special purchase contact her @ www.nnekaj.com.