We’re met with the fact now more than ever that the best design is one that lasts. What could be more timeless than fine jewelry? Thoughtful and focused collections, precious materials made to last, and protective healing energy. Design duo and sisters Mariam and Dania Sawedeg of Kamushki use the craft of jewelry to communicate modern adornment and preserve their Libyan heritage. “Our brand is about what speaks to us, it’s a deeply personal experience. We’re giving a piece of us to our clients,“ says Mariam. Born in Libya, raised in Zurich, and currently based between Dubai and London, the Kamushki story is an international one fueled by a love of travel and interconnection. “Our inspiration really changes over time. At first, Kamushki started as a cultural brand, now it’s moving into a more spiritual direction. We love symbols of protection, but culture will always be a big influence for us,” says Mariam. 

Kamushki, which translates to precious stones in Russian, launched in 2014. “I was always interested in jewelry, and Dania always loved accessories. We loved fashion, but we were interested in items that you wear every day,” Mariam explains. After cultivating her skills at GIA (Gemological Institute of America) in London, Mariam waited for Dania to graduate before they officially launched. Their debut collection “Wishbone” introduced the fishbone, which became an integral part of their brand story and aesthetic. In Libyan culture, the fish is a symbol of good luck that wards off the evil eye and represents freedom and happiness. Read more

As a biracial model navigating the industry for nearly a decade, I was genuinely shocked to find a Black man at the other end of this FaceTime interview. I’ve come to assume anyone making decisions in fashion is white, and it’s no secret it’s one of the most appropriative and capitalist industries around. From Gucci’s Dapper Dan swagger-jacking and MJ’s dread-headed runway to Burberry’s “noose hoodies” galore, white fashion gods exploiting black/brown culture is as ubiquitous as a Zara knockoff, with little repercussions beyond a @diet_prada callout. The modeling industry is just as tokenized, and in starting his POC- exclusive talent agency Offshore, Michael Rotimi is melanating a new face of fashion for us by us. Sure the industry is making glacial strides in inclusivity, but while shiny campaigns feature a color board of “checked boxes:” Black, curvy, queer, Muslim, disabled, non-binary, etc., generally everyone directing the narratives from the client to the creative is still white. With Offshore, Michael’s working to level the playing field, championing his talent as “more than a face,” but as personalities, stories and creatives.

This conversation is timely, as our nation “wakes up” to its centuries-long disregard of Black lives. The same deeply-rooted systems of oppression we’re fighting in our streets exist behind the scenes. When #BLM became the leading hashtag on Instagram, brands clamored to post a black box and their most ethnically ambiguous archives to make up for seasons of whitewashed campaigns. As Michael notes, “it’s performative. When I started Offshore {in 2017}, it was tough because I only repped POC. Brands only hit me up when they needed to tick a box. But black models are hot rn.” Michael bootstrapped Offshore from a scribbled idea to a boutique agency. He runs Offshore as a brand itself, so unwavering in company ethos and aesthetic, despite being a small business, he has no qualms turning down big money jobs that don’t align. Landing clients like Fenty, Nike, Pyer Moss, however, he was ahead of his time pioneering a new industry model in an era of bandwagoning brands.   Read more

My need to believe in something otherworldly soon shifted from the Holy Trinity to the Universe and its constellations. Like many other millennials, in my darkest times, I became obsessed with Astrology, but my half-assed commitment to understanding what I was praising became prevalent in my worship once again. Despite being on track with the most popular Astrologers of the moment and eagerly waiting for the weekly prediction to be released, I never really delved into what my specific zodiac sign actually entailed. Up until recently, the most I knew about being a Virgo was that we’re hypercritical and picky and that being born on August 24th makes me a cusp. But yet again, I was meticulous in my consumption of astrology, and I was unhealthily relying on my weekly reading to find an answer to the misfortunes affecting my life.

I was never the type to try and match my astral chart with my crush or loved one, but I did expect popular mainstream astrology to be able to tell me why things were going the way they were. Somehow, I was always able to use their general forecasting as a justification for whatever messed up pattern recurrently disrupted my well being. Clearly, my own poor choices were never taken into consideration as a crucial factor. Knowing that the Universe was the matrix of my demise or depression relieved me in the same way that I would seek comfort in God as a teenager. Read more

In the globalized world we live in, we sometimes feel we must seek our fortune far away from our original homes. Often, this leads us to sacrifice parts of our lives in order to fit into the standards of whichever industry we operate in because our autochthonous surroundings do not provide the same opportunities or space for growth and success. This gruesome reality was quickly snatched from before our eyes over the course of the past few months, as many of us were locked away in our small, overpriced city apartments. All of a sudden, the idea of moving “back home” didn’t sound that outrageous after working remotely became the norm, and Zoom provided us with the opportunity to pop bottles from the comfort of our affordable Ikea couches, without the need to spend time stressing over outfits or commuting. Sweatpants will do just fine.

But at Miilkiina, we have been taking local tradition and talent seriously since our inception, and now more than ever, the conversation must be perpetuated. Localized talent is crucial to preserving cultural tradition, the authenticity of a project, and, last but not least, in the proliferation of a sustainable method for both a particular economy and its environment. During an era where carbon emissions have become currency, it is vital to reconsider our stance on building in our own city. Not to mention that we are literally legally obligated not to cross borders until science finds a resolution for the mayhem we currently find ourselves in.
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