I’ve known Jules Kim for about six years now, and in that time, she’s never not been an inspiring individual. Bijules is a widely known and respected jewelry and accessory line within tastemaker culture.

Celebrated in national and international press, Bijules is a unique brand sought after by those who have a passion for individuality and fashion. Current advocates of the line include some of the deepest underground acts, such as: Natasha Kahn of Bat For Lashes, Beans, MIA, Santigold and Spankrock. Mainstream clients include Karen O, Beyonce, Fergie, Paula Abdul, Lindsay Lohan, Eve, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Leona Lewis, Gwen Stefani, Peaches, Katy Perry and Britney Spears.

Jules Kim’s designs convey concepts that reflect American propaganda for the empowerment of women, the innocence of childhood, and the dark humor of adulthood. She makes pieces that hang, hug, clip, cut, and curve. These objects accentuate the body and represent not only her personal statements but also each wearers’ interpretation of themselves and their environment. In order to express oneself, there must be a means of communication and jewelry is the instrument for Bijules.

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We checked in with sometime Lost At E Minor contributor and all the time brilliant designer and illustrator, Deanne Cheuk, and asked her what had been keeping her busy of late: ‘I’m curating an issue of Theme magazine; designing some prints for Sue Stemp and Something; and working on new drawings for a show in January 2010 at the Monster Children Gallery in Sydney. In terms of the next big project I have coming up, I have sunglasses that I designed with Colab coming out later this year. Yay!’

Formerly of Bogota, Colombia, Camilo Bejarano moved to America at the age of sixteen and now resides in Brooklyn, New York where he continues to work and play with colorful character designs, illustrations, and design projects.

I love the subtle colour palette and the beautiful, vibrant dynamics in the work of New York-based designer, Adam Chang. His designs are full of character, tiny fragments of otherwordly visions.

The Apartment is a New York-based design group whose work is outstanding. They do everything from architecture to product branding, web and interior design for clients as varied as a reflexology center, restaurants, and a house built from a church in London.

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New York designer Lauren Kovin’s Spring Summer 09 collection is a combination of dynamic transformations and avant-garde beauty. Equipped with a striking palette of black, white, blue, and coral, her line features eight fluid jersey pieces that can be configured multiple ways, adding a futurist approach to the garments. The collection, primarily comprised of bamboo and sheer viscose jersey, offers up details such as soft gathering, kimono sleeves, and ghostly cascade ties finished with a delicate purl edge. Puffy cording adorned with tonal, wooden beads, features on several of the garments, adding to them an architectural sensibility. With all of its dreamlike appeal, it’s undeniable that Kovin’s collection evokes the sensation of floating into a serene and spacious, sunlit room.

Derrick R. Cruz has channeled his talent for creating densely detailed works into the creation of the brand Black Sheep and Prodigal Sons. Fuelled by the New York city art and fashion scene, Cruz’s pieces are timeless but relevant, and beautifully detailed in their imperfections. They combine gold, silver, resin and bronze to create dark but wearable art.

Born and raised in New York, the boys of Pegleg have been designing their collection out of their downtown apartment since their freshman year of college. Their designs are innovative and casual, with hats, tees, pants, and sweatshirts.

Jules Kim is the designer behind the jewelery label Bijules, which is based out of New York. This entire accessory line including hairrings, using real and synthetic human hair. This collection called Haire allows you to clip on colored pieces and daring do’s without having to commit.

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Until recently, Australian-born, New York based designer and illustrator Deanne Cheuk was the creative force behind the stunning and progressive visuals in art and culture magazine Tokion. We spoke to her recently about her eclectic work schedule. Many people know you through your art direction of Tokion. You really pushed things on that magazine. It must have been fun to work on? ‘It was great, especially to come from a history of self-publishing. I didn’t have to deal with the stress of funding and content, I just got to have fun with the design and typography. I was really bored of the design of other magazines at the time, and I felt like there was a lot of opportunity to do something different, so I just went with it. As far as pushing things visually — at the time I was developing my illustration style too so that really influenced the design of Tokion’. What projects have you been working on this past year? ‘I’ve been working with the fashion designer Sue Stemp on prints for her collections, and also working in my studio on new paintings and drawings in preparation for an art road trip to China in October with Jose Parla, Ro Starr and Young Kim’. Ever pine for the beaches and fresh air of Perth? ‘Never. I pine for my family and friends there, but I don’t miss Australia. I love New York!’ What state of mind do you need to be in order to really create something special? ‘I usually work on a few jobs at a time but I spend as much time as I can on each before I move to the next. Ideas generally come for one job while working on another. I guess my mind is wandering while I work. Maybe that’s why I can’t work with music on — I like to work in silence’. What was the last piece of work by another illustrator or designer that totally blew your mind? ‘I just saw the cover of Beautiful Decay the other day that Alex Trochut did, I thought that was incredible!’ [read Deanne Cheuk's posts for Lost At E Minor] [ more about Deanne Cheuk]

The work on the Buero NY website is amazing — it’s my art direction obsession! So much work, so many cool clients … what a fantasy.