When I first heard the story about what inspired this necklace's creation I was equal parts fascinated and grossed out. As an ode to her Aunt Winnie, who recently passed (R.I.P.), NYC-based designer Jules Kim used her titi's dentures (in particular, the bottom row of teeth) as a mold to create this gold, black gold and diamond-studded piece. On the one hand, the idea of dentures in general freaks me out (maybe it's because of how my grandma used to take them in and out of her mouth like they were a piece of gum or something...). On the other, it's a really creative way of immortalizing a loved one. But whatever the process behind the piece's creation, you can't front on it (pun intended).
The piece is part of the " bitejules" collection of Kim's own bijules line, the inspiration for which was people "biting her style" (guess she figured she'd have the last bite!) All the pieces in the collection, then, reference the mouth and, as usual, they're all carefully made and have a hip-hop bravado to them (without being gaudy or showy).
Hey, after the obsession with grillz in 2006 (remember Fat Joe's Puerto Rican flag-colored joints? ha!), this is about the only teeth-related item I wanna see anyone weraring, ya dig?
$350. Available at Catbird in Brooklyn.