AFROPUNK 2016 x MADE BY MALYIA JEWELRY- POWER TO THE PARTY-RECAP

We returned for Afropunk Brooklyn 2016 and this year was better than ever! I loved connecting with all the people who discovered our brand for the first time and the jewels who returned and remember us from last year. Leading up to Afropunk I was super nervous, even more than the first time I was selected from hundreds of applicants to be a vendor. This year my expectations were much higher because I wanted to improve from my freshman year and perfect my festival pop-up. 

The love and energy was overwhelming and my main focus was engaging with everyone that stopped by the booth. I enlisted my best friend and girlboss wedding and event planner Michelle to keep me as sane and organized like she does her brides on their big day. The most popular pieces were our "Commitment Issues" nose cuff, "Boundless" Choker, "Perpetual" wrap necklace and "Venus" Body chain. By the end of day 1 most of the top sellers were sold out. 

Afropunk is more than a festival it is a collective of individuals overflowing with creativity and self-love. The #BlackGirlMagic, #MelaninMagic, #CareFreeBlackGirl, #_____ add any collective self-love hashtag and chances are it's on full display and I'm here for all of it.  One of my favorite things to do is venturing away from the booth to check out all the dope looks. This year everyone came with their fashion A game. In my opinion the fashion at Afropunk rivals that of fashion week and lets be honest the majority of designers draw inspirations from street style and events like Afropunk. This year their was no shortage of inspiration. 

I missed most of the performers but had the chance to watch Ceelo and Ice Cube. They were amazing! Next year I'm posting "I'll be back in 20 minutes" sign so I can catch so more performances lol.

Thank you to everyone that stopped by to say hi and shop with us! Welcome to the Made by Malyia Jewelry tribe! See you next year! 

Check out the pics below! Check out my feature with Refinery 29 Click HERE

Day 1 August 27,2016

Thanks for stopping by Jewel Analise 

Made by Malyia Brand Ambassador and friend Ryan "MuuFasa" rocking our "Splitsville" faux septum

A beautiful jewel rocking her new "Commitment Issues" nose cuff! Thank you for stopping by love! 

The power puffs were a major hit! I loved this hairstyle. I felt powerful and playful!

Shocked we are ready to go for Day 1. 

Refinery 29 Portrait photographer Wayne Lawrence

Day 2 August 28, 2016

Even more excited for Day 2!!

Soaking up some sun and recharging for Day 2? We see you queen!

Michelle's excited for Day 2 can you tell!

Dripping in Made by Malyia Jewelry! 

Show these beautiful people how you rock your Made by Malyia Jewelry Michelle! 

There's always time for a selfie right? lol

Me and my best friend Michelle 

Our friend Herman stopped by Day 2

Our friend Jeremy

My nephew AJ and Sister Vanessa. 

NEW PRODUCT ALERT! "Artemis" 14KT Gold-filled & Sterling Silver hand chain is here!

If you haven’t been able to choose an item in the collection the “Artemis" hand chain is the one you must have. I have received such an overwhelming request from jewels who have seen me wearing it daily that I had no other choice but to release it early. The design although dainty doesn’t go without being noticed and adds the right amount of sparkle to any look whether day or evening. Available in 14KT Gold-filled or Sterling Silver , this design is delicate and durable. Shop "Artemis" HERE

Jumping and reaching new heights-My 4 month update

The Jump!!....

It's been a while....April marks 4 months since I  quit my 9-to-5 to become an entrepreneur and full time girl boss of Made by Malyia. A major factor for leaving my 9-to-5 was to have the ability to devote everything to bringing you the best product and service. I had no idea how demanding my schedule would become once word got out I had "free time". 

If you've been keeping up with the brand on social media you know I consider the brands evolution a journey. My goal is to inspire others with my journey by bringing you along for the ride. I started designing jewelry as an outlet and to create jewelry I didn't see on the market. 

Taking the leap was the scariest yet most liberating thing I've ever done!!! Read my blog feature HERE on The Stylish Standout for more details on what lead me to finally take the jump. In order to be provide full transparency I will say I have dealt with a new fear I hadn't encountered before. Everything requires sacrifice so this path is not for the faint of heart. 

New opportunities

4 months later and it is still the best decision I've ever made. I have complete freedom to create the schedule I want and many days my schedule is fully booked. This flexibility has also brought new opportunities. I signed with Bicoastal Model Management  two months ago thanks in large part to my feature on Vogue.com "The Best Street Style at Afropunk". I have also released a New Collection, had several blog/press features,  and I am currently working on an image & fashion consulting firm with my sister launching this summer. I have also been sharing my journey as a speaker at several non-profits including women shelters. 

The universe has a way of bringing all the pieces together sometimes it is waiting on us to jump. You may discover all you've ever wanted was waiting for you at the bottom. Thank you for your continuous support of the brand! None of this would be possible without all my amazing jewels and gems. Check out the New Spring 2016 campaign and stay tuned for much more coming soon! Stay connected and follow the journey @madebymalyia-Instagram, Twitter,Snapchat (I'm a snapqueen), Pinterest, Tumblr,Facebook.

Photo credit: So Good Rae Photography

ANNOUNCEMENT-ESSENCE Street Style Block Party x Made by Malyia

I am excited to announce I will be a vendor at the 2nd Annual ESSENCE Street Style Block Party in Brooklyn on September 13.  Made by Malyia Jewelry was selected from hundreds of vendor applications.

The block party takes place during the biggest week in fashion New York's Fashion Week. It will be hosted by Made by Malyia brand ambassador and Essence live host Dana Blair.

There will be a runway show, music, and much more. I look forward to meeting all the stylish jewels and gems. RSVP here

#ShesFearless Feature-Woman VS Freedom

This week has been short of magical! Celebrating the 2 year anniversary of my company, and the announcement of my collaboration with Lionsgate's "The Divergent Series:Insurgent". This week I was also featured by the amazing Krystal Clayton of Woman Vs Freedom. Please see below excerpt from the interview and read the full feature HERE

Here's an excerpt from the feature

How do you face your fears?

I look my fear in the face and call it what is it. If I’m afraid to fail, I question who’s standards am I using to measure that failure. If something scares me I usually do that task first because the more I think about it the more I will talk myself out of it. 

Name one fear and/or setback that you’ve overcome.

One of my biggest fears was not being accepted into the fashion industry and being considered a failure. How do you all your life say that you are meant to do something but you aren’t validated by the industry you seek approval from. The way I overcame this was by staying true to who I am and not trying to conform. After I stopped seeking that stamp of approval that’s when it all changed for me. My brand was authentic and spoke to who I am. 

Follow @womanvsfreedom on Twitter and Instragram to see more features of women entrepreneurs!  Visit the website HERE

Made by Malyia x The Divergent Series:Insurgent-Announcement

Made by Malyia Jewelry is now an official licensee for "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" film. In partnership with Etsy and Lionsgate Entertainment, I have been selected to create a design inspired by the mega blockbuster hit. This partnership comes just in time for the home entertainment release of "Insurgent" later this month. Insurgent, is the sequel to adventure and Sci-fi film "Divergent." With over 60 million copies sold, #1 world wide opening and sales coming in at $516 million, I couldn't have asked for a better partner.

Of all the praying, planning and preparing I could have done, never in a million years did I see this one coming into fruition. When you walk by faith and allow God to order your steps, life is limitless! I will continue to remain humble for he is not done with me nor my brand, and there is much more to come from this collaboration. 

READ the full Etsy announcement HERE.

The new "Insurgent" ear cuff is available exclusively through my Etsy shop HERE.  Go visit and shop now!

"Insurgent" earcuff design inspired by "Divergent Series:Insurgent"

“Motion Picture Artwork TM & © 2015 Lionsgate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.”

MBM jewelry turns 2- Happy Anniversary

This is a major milestone and truly the beginning of what I plan on making an Empire. What started out as a creative outlet designing jewelry I love has grown into a business.

In the past two years I designed a new collection, met my jewels at my first pop up shop at Raw Artists, and collaborated with my first designer Lois London.

I want to thank all my jewels, friends and family that have helped MBM jewelry celebrate it's 2nd birthday. A special thank you to Sherod Lewis my PR manager and digital strategist.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you!

Made by Malyia x Lois London Collab

I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Lois London in January at the Raw Artists  runway show. Made by Malyia body chains worked perfectly with the stunning dresses for the runway show so the designer requested MBM jewelry for her Spring/Summer campaign shoot.

Check out the pictures from that shoot below!!!

Shop Lois London HERE

"Venus" Body Chain

"Venus" Body Chain

"Venus" Body Chain

#OOTD- Designer rocks her Made by Malyia jewelry

The summer is finally here and Made by Malyia jewelry has exciting news and events coming soon. Whether you will be attending a rooftop, festival, or picnic this summer I wanted to show how to layer MBM jewelry with my summer looks.

MBM Jewelry featured:

"Empire" Necklaces

"Divergent" Earcuff

"Helen" Body Chain

"Commitment Issues" double hoop non permanent nose ring

"Splitsville" Faux septum

"Iris" Foot chain

*Exclusive Hair charm-Coming soon*

Outfit details:

Crochet Top and Vintage ripped jeans- Urban Outfitters

Nude strappy Sandals- Aldo Shoes

Jewelry- Made by Malyia ofcourse LOL :-)