Maggi Simpkins Talks Customizing Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for St. Vincent’s Billboard Cover Shoot
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At this year’s Billboard Women in Music, Billboard and Bose partnered to highlight women in music production by styling emerging artist and social media star Kenzie Ziegler in a custom pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds designed by Maggi Simpkins.
The earbuds went viral on social media and Simpkins gained thousands of followers, experiencing a new level of virality after the event.
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When asked about the reception to the initial partnership, Simpkins told Billboard, “You never know what’s going to hit. 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 over 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 merging cutting-edge sound engineering with different forms of artistic expression. This partnership not only celebrates diversity and individuality during Pride month but also highlights the seamless fusion of fashion and technology in culture.
She told Billboard, “It was cool to see excitement around the collaboration and I think we’re onto something at the intersection of tech and jewelry. There isn’t anything like this on the market.”
At the heart of this collaboration is St. Vincent, the acclaimed musician and style icon whose eclectic persona embodies individuality and a strong sense of self. Best known for her genre-defying music, St. Vincent serves as the perfect muse for this project.
“I think we ironed out a lot of technical kinks in the first round with Kenzie for Women in Music. This time around it was a bit easier and I was able to hone in on the colors and aesthetics,” she revealed.
When asked about the difference in designing for a red carpet versus a magazine cover, Simpkins highlighted her approach to versatility and aesthetic impact. “For Kenzie, I wanted something elegant and versatile that could compliment an outfit,” she noted. “With St. Vincent’s cover shoot, the focus was on creating a vibrant piece that would pop with multiple looks.”
The custom Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, crafted specifically for St. Vincent utilized 14 karat yellow gold with a striking yellow beryl center stone, encircled by a medley of sapphires, emeralds, and amethysts. Each piece was meticulously designed to complement St. Vincent’s eclectic persona and vibrant aesthetic, ensuring they stood out on the magazine cover.
“This time was about making it as bright, bold, and colorful as possible. I had a lot of fun playing with the colors and I custom cut the stones to fit within the original design (Kenzie at WIM) because that one was so popular. It was fun to make a version of the original.”
Through these collaborations, Simpkins continues to push boundaries, merging technology with traditional craftsmanship to create pieces that resonate with both fashion and tech enthusiasts. The partnership 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.
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