At this year's Billboard Women in Music, Billboard and Bose teamed up to highlight women in music production by styling rising artist and social media star Kenzie Ziegler in a custom pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds designed by Maggi Simpkins.
The headphones went viral on social media and Simpkins gained thousands of followers, experiencing a new level of virality after the event.
When asked about the reception to the original collaboration, Simpkins told Billboard, “You never know what's going to happen. I think it was just fun to see how organically it took over. My notifications were off the wall! I had 40,000,000+ profile views in 30 days and it was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I've had little viral moments over the years, but nothing like this.”
Simpkins' latest collaboration underscores Bose and Billboard's commitment to fusing cutting-edge audio engineering with diverse forms of artistic expression. This collaboration not only celebrates diversity and individuality during Pride month, but also highlights the seamless fusion of fashion and technology in culture.
He told Billboard, “It's been cool to see the excitement around the collaboration, and I think we're at something where technology and jewelry intersect. There is nothing like it on the market.”
At the heart of this collaboration is St. Vincent, the acclaimed musician and style icon whose eclectic personality embodies individuality and a strong sense of self. Best known for their genre-defying music, St. Vincent serves as the perfect muse for this project.
“I think we eliminated a lot of technical kinks in the first round with Kenzie for Women in Music. This time it was a little easier and I was able to work with colors and aesthetics,” he revealed.
When asked about the difference in designing for a red carpet versus a magazine cover, Simpkins emphasized her approach to flexibility and aesthetic impact. “For Kenzie, I wanted something stylish and versatile that could complement an outfit,” she noted. “By shooting the cover of St. Vincent, the focus was on creating a live track that would explode with multiple performances.”
The custom Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, made especially for St. Vincent, used 14k yellow gold with a striking yellow beryl center stone, surrounded by a mix of sapphires, emeralds and amethysts. Each piece was meticulously designed to complement the eclectic personality and vibrant aesthetic of St. Vincent, making sure they stood out on the magazine cover.
“This time it was about making it as bright, bold and colorful as possible. I had a lot of fun playing with the colors and cut the stones to fit the original design (Kenzie at WIM) because that was so popular. It was fun to make a version of the original.”
Through these collaborations, Simpkins continues to push the boundaries, fusing technology with traditional craftsmanship to create pieces that resonate with fashionistas and techies alike. The collaboration between Bose, Billboard and designer Maggi Simpkins not only celebrates the convergence of fashion, technology and music, but also sets a precedent for future collaborations that embrace diversity, innovation and the transformative power of artistic expression.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/tech/maggi-simpkins-bose-pride-1235715514/
