Khiry x Wayman + Micah x Kiki Layne
RAD x DE BEERS GROUP launched #BlackisBrilliant at THE MET GALA with New York-based fine jewelry designer, Jameel Mohammed of KHIRY, who collaborated with stylists WAYMAN + MICAH to create a suite of jewelry that is not only modern, original and opulent, but also deeply reflective of the global power of Black people. The radiant KIKI LAYNE wore these jewels to help us AMPLIFY BLACK VOICES AND TALENT on a globally-impactful red carpet.
Our exclusive BTS of the campaign’s creative journey from concept to carpet…
The “Black Power International” collection that Kiki wore features ethically and sustainably sourced De Beers Group diamonds from Botswana and a range of precious metals. Her earrings were designed with Black Power fist silhouette posts and Khiry signature Khartoum in globe shapes with three stacking rings -- a celebration of the broader diasporic collaboration between design, styling, and sourcing that brought the pieces to life.
“The Black Power International name came from my recognition that what undergirded the possibility for this collection was a legacy of contribution from Black folks worldwide, including me, Wayman and Micah, Kiki Layne, and the Botswanan workers who produced the fabulous diamonds. It’s a beacon to the broader diaspora and world that there is power in our shared histories and huge possibility in our future collaboration.” - Jameel
Jameel’s star is rising rapidly and he is being deservedly recognized for his exceptional talent. This year alone, he is one of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s 2021 grantees, one of Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in Art & Style, and he won the Fashion Scholarship Fund Accelerator Grant. As the founder and creative director of KHIRY, which he describes as an AFROFUTURIST LUXURY BRAND, Jameel is changing the definition of luxury by focusing on rarified design, precise craftsmanship, and the integration of Black life and culture into his work. He is passionate about creating a world that empowers ALL artists, entrepreneurs and future designers to share their visions and to BE the change we crave and deserve.
Watch Jameel talk about his journey to becoming a designer of beautifully crafted jewels that are rich with African culture and revolutionizing modern heritage-driven jewelry…
The NATURAL DIAMONDS FROM BOTSWANA that were used in this collection have their own remarkable story. De Beers Group partners with the people of Botswana to create a thriving, ethical industry that gives back directly to the community. 81 cents of every dollar of revenue from diamonds goes back to Botswana and pays for
every child to receive free schooling to the age of 13, after which education is 95% funded by the government.
We further the IMPACT OF THIS ADVOCACY for Black designers and the people of Botswana through a $25,000 donation by De Beers Group to any charity of talent’s choice that EMPOWERS BLACK EXCELLENCE. Kiki is also passionate about childhood education and chose Guiding Light Mentoring, Girl Forward, and Definition Theatre Company to benefit from her participation in the campaign.
Guiding Light Mentoring is a mentoring program dedicated to serving youth ages 8-18 in the Greater Cincinnati area by providing positive role models, teaching relationship skills, and developing moral character. The organization provides 1:1 community-based mentorship, a leadership summer program, tutoring, and annual youth summits.
Girl Forward is a Chicago-based mentoring program that serves girls ages 14-21 in grades 9-12 who identify as refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers. They support girls through three core programs: Mentoring, Education, and Safe Spaces.
Definition Theatre Company is a culturally diverse theater dedicated to telling language-driven, relationship-oriented, socially-relevant stories about and created with underrepresented communities in Chicago. Built as their rallying cry, #StayInIt embodies the mission, soul, and future of Definition Theatre. They use storytelling as our agent of change to continue pushing and breaking boundaries.
We thank Jameel, Wayman & Micah and Kiki for being RAD with us and we invite you to join us in supporting KHIRY, buying jewelry that features ethically and sustainably sourced diamonds from African nations including Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and getting involved with the three charities above that are dedicated to furthering Black excellence.