On September 15, 2025, Bernard James Fine Jewelry made its New York Fashion Week (NYFW) debut with The Process of Living—an immersive jewelry presentation in Brooklyn that invited guests to experience fine jewelry as part of daily ritual rather than mere adornment.
Set at the striking One Domino Square on the Williamsburg waterfront, the presentation unfolded across two adjoining penthouses overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Guests moved fluidly through each space, encountering luxury jewelry in two different ways: first as contemplative works of art, and then as pieces meant to be lived with—surrounded by sound, taste, touch, and community.
“All of the mistakes we’ve made
have led us to this moment,”
At the center of the NYFW collection launch was the Crushed Link, originally introduced in 2023 and now expanded into a full suite of designs. Each link was first crushed - by car, hammer, and hand - before being reimagined in 18k gold. The result is a study in duality: hard and soft, common and precious, austere and luxurious. Each piece is available in multiple finishes, with options for natural diamonds or colored gemstones.
The Crushed Link line embodies Bernard James’ ethos as a Brooklyn fine jewelry brand: celebrating imperfection, transformation, and the beauty found in process.
Launching Fall/Winter 2025
The presentation was staged by Gregory Beson, whose sculptural plinths elevated the jewelry in a raw yet refined environment. Guests journeyed from a gallery-like setting—quiet, minimal, contemplative—into a lived-in loft space where the collection came alive. In this way, The Process of Living became more than a title. It embodied Bernard James’ approach to luxury jewelry in New York, where craft, imperfection, and community converge.
As evening set in, the penthouses transformed into a house-party atmosphere with panoramic views of the Brooklyn waterfront. Music was curated by DJs Key and Stonie Blue, both longtime friends of Bernard. Cocktails were served by Sake ONO, including a custom espresso martini collaboration with Kloo Coffee. The soundscape was powered by Bang & Olufsen, filling every corner of the space with immersive audio, while Flos Lighting cast a subtle glow over the collections. Guests including Karl-Anthony Towns, Denée Benton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Bethann Hardison, Christopher John Rogers, Sherri McMullen, and Quil Lemons gathered to celebrate a moment that signaled Bernard James’ arrival on the NYFW jewelry stage.
