Editors

Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With Cast

EditorsSep 17, 2024

Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With Cast

The actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.

Issa Rae Cast Jewelry collection
Actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae partnered with Cast on the new “Braeve” jewelry collection.
Actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae is a powerhouse, lending her talents to TV and the silver screen, including as President Barbie in last summer’s instant hit.

Now, the star and co-creator of HBO’s “Insecure” has partnered with San Francisco-based fine jewelry brand Cast to bring her creative vision to a new medium.

The 22-piece “Braeve” collection is a modern take on minimalism, showcasing bold and versatile designs in 14-karat yellow gold and sterling silver, set with onyx and lab-grown diamonds.

It includes rings, hoops, studs, huggies, cuffs, and a fun flip pendant.

“Collaborating with Issa Rae for this collection was a dream come true,” said Cast co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Rachel Skelly.

“Whether she’s in front of or behind the camera, she brings such an 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.”

With a price range of $250 to $5,900, Braeve will be sold at Cast boutiques, CastJewelry.com, and at select Nordstrom stores and on Nordstrom.com.

I sat down with the star last week on a rooftop in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood to discuss her inspiration for the line, her personal style, and what her character in the “Barbie” movie, President Barbie, would wear.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Lenore Fedow: Tell me about your inspiration for the Braeve collection.

Issa Rae: My inspiration really came down to wanting pieces that I could wear forever. When I buy and invest in jewelry, I want to shower in it. I want to sleep in it.

And I want them to represent me in so many ways. Part of that journey, in coming up and coming up from a scrappy creative background and then coming into Hollywood, there’s a certain way to show up that I didn’t feel worthy of. And jewelry was my gateway into that.

A lot of that jewelry was honestly gifted or styling. It felt phony to me. It wasn’t my home. It felt like I wasn’t showing up as myself.

And so, in investing in jewelry, that was kind of my way of showing up. Even if I was in a T-shirt and jeans, it was like these hoops that I’m wearing are an investment. You’ll see that I’m trying and this is my way of showing a status.

I've been inspired by [the Cast team’s] story in particular and how they approach jewelry, especially for women at a certain time period of their lives where they’re ready to level up and take care of themselves and invest in themselves. I love that demographic and that is also my demographic.

That’s the audience that I speak to in all of my work. So that collaboration, coupled with my inspiration, was just a perfect marriage.

LF: I can definitely see that. Jewelry is absolutely a hallmark of success for some people and a really fun way to celebrate a milestone. When you were helping to create this collection, who did you have in mind was going to be wearing it?

IR: Aside from myself, hopefully, family members. I have a lot of nieces and nephews now. And I thought about my nieces. Like, would they think this is cool? Would they wear it? Could I pass this down to them? Would they ask this of me?

And then, of course, friends. Anytime I’m at a creative base level, the first thing I think about is, will my friends like this? Will they laugh at this? That’s my focus group.

I just wanted to make sure that I get that compliment from them, if I showed up, like, “Oh, girl. I like the necklace.” Or, “Oh my God, where’d you get that bracelet?” That’s the milestone.

They have not seen these yet, so they don’t know about this collaboration yet. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to L.A. and just wear them and patiently wait for them to compliment me.

LF: Do you have a favorite piece within the collection?

IR: Without a doubt, it’s the flip pendant, specifically because Cast had the flip ring. I love the flip ring. And I love a statement necklace.

Issa Rae Braeve flip pendant necklace
The “Braeve” pendant in 14-karat yellow gold with black onyx and lab-grown diamonds ($5,500) is Issa Rae’s favorite piece. The pendant flips for a 3-in-1 look.


I feel like that’s the gateway to me, this piece on your chest that is just outward facing. And there’s something about the flip ring that felt almost like a mood ring in some ways. And I wanted that for the necklace.

[Cast] was like, “We don’t know if we can do that.” And they literally made it happen. I felt like that was the epitome of the collaboration and the merging of these two worlds.

I’m trying to decode the translations, like if it’s on all black, don’t mess with me. I’m not in the mood today.

If it’s on all gold, then I’m approachable. And I hope that other people create their own codes.

LF: That’s fun. I like that. Can you tell me a bit about your personal jewelry style? You said you like statement necklaces?

IR: I do. I like simple pieces that are symmetrical, that are elegant, refined, and timeless. Everyone says timeless, but there is something about, like, you don’t want to feel like your jewelry is dated.

When I do wear jewelry, I like it to stand out. Again, I’m a jeans and T-shirt girl, so that is my way of dressing up in so many ways, and that’s my way of armoring for the day.

Then when I’m going out at night, if I have an event or something like that, then, of course, it’s going to be the perfect accessory to accentuate what I’m wearing.

SEE: Jewels from Issa Rae’s “Braeve” collection


LF: You spoke a bit about your nieces and nephews and passing down jewelry. How do you feel about having something you helped create be passed down in that way? That’s pretty special.

IR: I feel as cool as they’ll make me feel, honestly, because they don’t care. They don’t care who you are or what you’ve done, and I think my craving is like, are they going to like this as is?

Ultimately, to be morbid, in my passing, maybe it’ll mean something to them. But in the moment, if it means something to them now, I think that’s cool and that’s all I care about. 

Because I don’t have kids yet, they are my offspring in a way, and they’re whose approval I look for. And it’s just really sweet to think that if they go to prom or whatever, that something I made could be [worn] and they’ll know that I thought of them.

 Related stories will be right here … 

LF: I have one last question for you, kind of a fun one. If you were dressing up one of your notable characters, like, let’s say, President Barbie, what jewelry here is she wearing?

IR: What I loved about the Barbie world and specifically Greta [Gerwig]’s vision is it was extremely childlike. She was tapping into how little girls who play with Barbies or little boys who play with Barbies think and it’s in excess. 

So, it was like, what would President Barbie wear to address the Barbie nation or Barbieland? 

And I’d be like, “I don’t know. In Barbieland, I’d wear a gown and a tiara.” And [Gerwig] was like “Yes, done.”

And I was like, “And a sash too, just to show that she’s president?” And she was like, yes. 

It’s in excess. In short, President Barbie would wear every single piece at the same time because she can.

The Latest

Sylvie Jewelry Auranova Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Pomellato Nudo toi et moi ring
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Melee diamonds from De Beers
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid Uncertainty

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.

ejap cohort 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Iowa jeweler Herman Ginsberg
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

Charles & Colvard moissanite ring
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to Noncompliance

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Young Diamantaires
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to Nonprofit

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Mined + Found "Hope" Matchbox Locket
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So Charming

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Bulgari’s expanded factory in Valenza, Italy
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Jason McNary accepting FGI Fine Jewelry Rising Star award for Paola Sasplugas
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

Carmelo Anthony and Jaylen Brown David Yurman campaign
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen Brown

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cartier Exhibition Installation at Victoria & Albert Museum
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy