September 12th – November 7th, 2026
Monday – Friday from 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 12 – 6 pm.

USM Modular Furniture
28–30 Greene Street
New York, NY

Brooklyn-based fine jewelry designer Bernard James debuts In Process, an exclusive residency at the USM SoHo flagship showroom, presenting an immersive exploration of the tools, materials, references, and stages that shape his practice.

On exhibit from Sept. 12 through November 7, 2026, the residency presents a curated selection of Bernard James’ signature collections alongside new designs from the expanding Process collection.

At the center of the installation is the Makers’ Desk, designed by Bernard James and configured from the USM Haller system. The modular workstation functions simultaneously as a working jewelry bench, a reflection of the craft behind each piece, and a flexible workspace designed to evolve over time.

The Makers’ Desk sits across from the Vault, a monumental structure housing Bernard James’ finished works of art. The two elements anchor the space, and serve distinct functions: the Vault allows viewers to discover and explore the finished works, while the jeweler’s bench offers a glimpse into the process through which those works are made. Together, they represent two points within the same system – the finished work and the ongoing process of building, testing, assembling and refining.

In Process builds on a relationship that has developed organically between the two brands over the years. Bernard James first included USM furniture in the brand’s inaugural SoHo pop-up shop in 2022, just blocks from the upcoming residency. The following year, Bernard James expanded into home objects, launching a collection of leather valet trays, incense holders, and jewelry boxes built using the USM system.

As Bernard James’ creative practice has expanded beyond the scale of the body to encompass tabletop objects and now custom-designed furniture, the partnership with USM reflects a shared philosophy rooted in thoughtful construction, enduring materials, and modular design. The installation expands this dialogue by drawing a parallel between USM’s systematic approach to design and the systems inherent to jewelry-making. Much like USM, where a defined vocabulary of materials and components can be configured in seemingly endless ways, jewelry begins with a finite set of elements – metal, stones, form, connection and technique.

Using the architecture of the showroom as both structure and display, In Process brings these two systems into conversation. Rather than presenting jewelry as a finished object in isolation, the residency considers what becomes paramount when the logic of its making is allowed to remain present.

“This residency means so much to me personally because of my love for USM and connection to SoHo,” says Bernard James. “Since I was a teenager, the neighborhood has been both a refuge and a constant source of creativity and inspiration. It played an important role in shaping me as a designer. Working with USM feels like a natural extension of that experience. Its modular systems and ability to continually transform create a platform for endless possibilities.”

The exhibition traces Bernard James’ practice through process, bringing together early ideas and drawings, material studies, family references, works in progress, and pieces that have become part of the brand’s visual language. Together, they reveal a practice built through repetition, refinement, and a continued relationship between hand, material, and memory.

Bernard James reimagines contemporary luxury through fine jewelry that balances craftsmanship, personal storytelling, and thoughtful design. Rooted in community, collaboration and dialogue, each collection explores themes of contrast and duality, bringing together diverse materials, refined proportions, and a nuanced interplay of masculine and feminine forms.

Designed in Brooklyn and crafted in New York City, the brand’s six core collections transcend gender categories. Working with 14k and 18k gold, natural diamonds, and exceptional gemstones, Bernard James creates timeless pieces that honor heritage while embracing a distinctly modern perspective.

Discover Bernard James at their Brooklyn storefront and studio in Greenpoint, as well as select esteemed retailers including Dover Street Market NY and LA.

Media Contacts

Bernard James
Taryn Bensky taryn.bensky@gmail.com

USM Modular Furniture
Anna Caradeuc at The Last Agency  a@thelast.agency

We offer complementary design services by video, phone or in person. For international inquiries please contact your local USM specialist: www.usm.com/where-to-buy