Inside Ulysse Nardin’s Miami Design District Boutique

The Miami Design District, located in Miami’s Buena Vista neighborhood, is an international art and design center with luxury shopping, high-end restaurants and soon to be opened hotels, residents and museums. Right now it is one of the hottest places in the world for luxury brands to open retail spaces. 

Buildings in the Design Center were created by world-class architects and the “neighborhood” contains several statement site-specific art works.

One building inside the complex is Palm Court, a two-story, blue-hued glass structure dedicated to watch and jewelry brands, with about 18 located there. It was designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, his first project in the US. 

Swiss watch manufacturer Ulysse Nardin is the latest luxury watch brand to unveil its new boutique in this center. 

The brand officially opened the boutique in late November. It’s located at 140 NE 39th St. The 1,000 square foot store contains the entire scope of Ulysse Nardin’s collection, including its signature Marine Chronometers, the iconic FreakLab and other high watches.

“Miami immediately came to mind as the ideal location for our next Ulysse Nardin Boutique,” said Patrik Hoffmann, Ulysse Nardin CEO. “The Design District is renowned internationally as a go-to destination for luxury shopping and creativity. We are excited to be a part of it and look forward to bringing our rich history of craftsmanship and heritage to Miami.”

Ulysse Nardin, based in Le Locle, Switzerland, specializes in creating ultra-complicated timepieces, many of them considered groundbreaking achievements, using cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art materials. For example, it was one of the first companies to use silicon in its timepiece movements and is one of the few Swiss watchmakers to have its own production capacity for critical watch components, particularly regulating systems.

The luxury brand was acquired in July, 2014, by the French multinational holding company, Kering. 

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Lalique Opens First Jewelry Boutique In A Century And Unveils New Jewelry Collection

Entrance of the new Lalique jewelry boutique in Paris at 20 rue de la Paix.

It took over a century for Lalique to return to its roots and did so in a big way.

Lalique Soleil de Gaïa Necklace consisting of three rows of hematite beads (86 517ctw.), two rows of 82 bezel-set blue sapphires (11.13ctw.), green sapphires (30 4.39 ctw.) and 16 yellow sapphires (2.28 ctw.), set in yellow gold. In addition, two Scarabée motifs in yellow gold paved with one 160 diamonds (5.66 ctw.), 108 black spinels (4.16 ctw.), two hematites (4.43ctw.), four triplets of cabochon-cut opal (14.49 ctw.) and engraved white mother-of-pearl, lacquer. The piece can used for five different looks.

The French luxury recently opened its first jewelry-dedicated boutique since its founder opened the first store nearly 110 years ago.

Lalique chandelier made of 2,500 Gourmande rings serves as the centerpiece for its new jewelry-dedicated boutique in Paris.

The 860-square-foot fine jewelry showcase is in the heart of Paris at 20 rue de la Paix, near where the firm’s founder, René Lalique, opened his first jewelry store in 1905. He later went on to specialize in glasswork. In addition to jewelry, the company is now known for its crystal and glasswork in uses ranging from decorative and functional items to large works of art, and for its perfumes.

Lalique Soleil de Gaïa Rrng

The 430-square-foot-space displays some 200 pieces from the brand’s fine jewelry and high jewelry collections, as well as a selection of iconic pieces such as the Gourmande ring and the Mascottes cufflinks. Bridal jewelry will be shown at a dedicated space nearby.

First floor of the Lalique jewelry boutique.

If a customer wanted to see more Gourmande rings he or she would simply have to look up where a chandelier sparkles with the light of 2,500 Gourmande rings.

Lalique Soleil de Gaïa pendant

One level below, a 430-square-foot area serves as a private salon in an intimate setting reflecting the 1900 World’s Fair. Here, the brand’s crystal craftsmanship and its latest collaborative designs, featuring limited edition pieces such as the Lalique-Parmigiani Fleurier table clocks, crystal perfume bottles and the Caran d’Ache line of pens, will be on display.

VIP room of the Lalique jewelry boutique

In a tribute to René Lalique, the store, designed by the Pustetto Agency, reflects both Art Nouveau and Art Deco themes. Its Art-Nouveau inspired lines are extended to the design of the wall displays and staircase that leads to the private salon with Aster panels in Lalique crystal decorated with a plant motif in micro-relief (pictured below).

Lalique celebrated the new opening this week with the release of a new Art Deco jewelry collection, Soleil de Gaïa. The company said the opening of the new shop seals the resurrection of the brand’s two-year return to the rebirth of fine jewelry.

Jewelry display in the VIP room.

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Vacheron Constantin's New Paris Boutique

Vacheron Constantin has brought its luxury Swiss timepieces to a storefront in Paris. It is the company’s 35th boutique around the world and its first in the “City of Light.”

The interior of the 915-square-foot space at 2 Rue de La Paix uses neutral light colors contrasted with dark materials—such as woods, bronze, wrought iron and leather—to create a discreet, luxurious atmosphere. The brand brought in French master artisans to create statement details.

Mathieu Lustrerie, a specialist in light restoration for historical monuments, created a “Saturn” chandelier made of rock crystal, while mosaic artist Pierre Mesguich bejeweled it by hand with 35,000 tiny marble cubes (pictured above). The boutique’s artistic wrought iron decorative elements were tailor-made by Les Métalliers Champenois, whose other works include the restoration of the Statue of Liberty.

The boutique will contain a full line of Vacheron Constantin timepieces as well as a vintage collection named Vacheron Constantin les Collectioneurs,” which are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

The collection includes a boutique-exclusive of its 1972 Prestige timepiece, known for its ultra-thin, asymmetrical shape, its 1003 movement and the Prestige de la France coat of arms engraving on its back. The dial of the 18k gold watch shines like silver. It is available at the boutique in a limited-edition of 40 units.

To mark the opening of the Parisian boutique, the Geneva manufacturer commissioned photographer Thierry des Ouches to illustrate his vision of Vacheron Constantin in Paris through his lens. Five owners of Vacheron Constantin timepieces tell the tale of their watches, their Paris, their love of the exceptional and the values they share with Vacheron Constantin on www.2ruedelapaix.fr.

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Tiffany & Co. to Open Flagship Paris Store on Champs Elysées

Rendering of Tiffany's planned store in Paris.

Tiffany & Co. said Tuesday that it plans to open a new European flagship store in Paris. The 10,000-square-foot, multi-level store will be located at 62, Avenue des Champs Elysées and is expected to open in 2014.

"This is a significant development and sales opportunity for Tiffany & Co. While we have been successful in operating three smaller stores in Paris, establishing this store on the Champs Elysées will be the ultimate symbol of Tiffany as a truly global luxury brand," said Frederic Cumenal, executive vice president, Tiffany & Co. "This is a preeminent location that firmly places Tiffany & Co. on an international stage, in the heart of a city where people from all over the world come to visit and shop."

The opening on the Champs Elysées will mark a new milestone in Tiffany's connection to Paris, which began in 1850 when the company established its first store. In 1999, Tiffany returned to Paris with a store on rue de la Paix.

In March, the owner of the rue de la Paix building that housed Tiffany’s Paris store, placed the property for sale. 

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Damiani Opens Flagship in Osaka

Italian luxury jewelry brand, Damiani, opened a flagship boutique in Osaka, its second in the Japanese city. 

The 1,076-square-foot store in the city’s Umeda section is the first Damiani flagship boutique in the Kansai district and the second Damiani flagship store in Japan, after the Tokyo boutique in Ginza. It’s the tenth Damiani boutique in the country.

Warm and intense shades of natural tones—bronze, gold and copper—that reflect the sunset from Italian islands in the Mediterranean represented the inspiration for the boutique on the first floor of the Hilton Plaza West. 

The project was devised and developed in-house by an all-Italian creative team, included furnishings that were designed and made in Italy. It’s based on the new boutique concept first unveiled by the brand at its recently reopened Montenapoleone boutique in Milan.

Guido Damiani, group president and CEO, was present at the opening on March 5. Japanese actress Yoshino Kimura was the guest of honor.

Ulysse Nardin Opens Boutique in South Florida

Luxury Swiss watch brand Ulysse Nardin opened its second boutique in the United States at the Aventura Mall in South Florida. The 775 square-foot store has a collection of more than 100 of company’s timepieces, including three models from the Limited Edition Boutique Exclusive line, presented in a nautical inspired setting.

The line includes the Blue Toro, the Freak Diavolo Platinum, and the Blue Executive Dual Time.

Blue Toro

The Blue Toro is a limited edition certified chronometer with a self-winding perpetual calendar that is conscious of leap years, so it doesn’t have to be reset.

The Freak Diavolo Platinum pays tribute to the original Freak’s pioneering spirit by expanding its use of silicium and its tourbillon. Named after its devilish-in-appearance power-reserve backing it showcases advancements in technology, materials and design and is limited to 10 pieces.

Blue Executive
Dual Time

The Blue Executive Dual Time is comprised of a patented Dual Time system with pushers that instantly adjust the hour hand to a different time zone while the home time indicator continues its’ 24 hour cycle.

Ulysse Nardin offers custom personalization of its timepieces, allowing customers the option of engraving a personal inscription on the timepiece’s serial number plate.

The Aventura based boutique is an addition to the U.S. headquarters and flagship boutique both located in Boca Raton. The headquarter houses the company’s only service center in the U.S. with six Swiss-trained watchmakers. In addition to the brand’s two boutiques, Ulysse Nardin timepieces can are available at 65 authorized retailers nationwide.

Ulysse Nardin’s timepieces are produced with 250 craftsmen in the company’s production facility in Le Locle, Switzerland, where 20,000 units are created annually.

Ivanka Trump Moves Jewelry Boutique Downtown

The Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry boutique.

Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry has been expanding in a number of ways during the past year. The brand has released fine jewelry collections aimed at different markets. In addition, Trump herself has been traveling the world promoting the company’s collections to new audiences. To coincide with this expansion the brand recently moved from its “jewel box”-sized space on Madison Avenue to a 2,400 square-foot, bi-level boutique in SoHo giving its uptown chic a downtown vibe.

One of the standalone jewelry display cases.

The New York flagship store at 109 Mercer St. that opened in late November has many of the same luxurious and feminine qualities of the prior store along with dedicated spaces for a lounge, bridal jewelry and special events. Designed by NY3Design, the space uses art deco and classical elements in black and white (the colors of the brand) along with large touches of Ivanka Trump’s signature coral, and light brown and cream tones. And, of course, there are plenty of mirrors.

The VIP room and lounge.

The store houses nearly all of the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry collections along with accessories from some of her other product lines. Entering the long narrow space, the first items shown are designed to be accessible to younger jewelry lovers, such as those who live in the neighborhood. Strolling along a custom-designed white carpet with black patterns (created by ABC Carpet & Home), the space narrows a bit where there’s a full-length mirror on the left and a mirrored wall on the right with shelving and spaces that contains more upscale jewelry designs along with Ivanka Trump handbags and other accessories. In between is an updated version of standalone antique display case, using a curved solid white frame topped with a separate glass case. These standalone displays are located throughout the store.

The stairway that leads to the bridal salon.

As you continue the space opens again to a small lounge area. The area is a place where men can wait while their significant other is shopping. The folks at Ivanka Trump swear that men are welcome but this is a store designed for women (even the lounge area). Beside the lounge there’s a separate “VIP” room for private consultations. This area contains Trump’s new Downtown jewelry collection, created specifically for the new store. 

The view of the bridal salon from above.

Past the open space a large Schonbek chandelier hangs overhead. Beneath it is the lower level, which serves as the store’s dedicated bridal salon. You descend into the space on a stairwell. The bridal area contains individual display cases showing Trump’s wedding bands along with ethically sourced engagement rings and bridal jewelry. Comfortable sofas, chairs and tables, and even a makeup table, giving a touch of home, are located throughout the area. This space is large enough for bridal parties and other special events, including the “Champaign Saturdays” that were popular at the Madison Avenue store.

The furnishings inside the bridal salon.

What’s next for the jewelry brand? A move to China? Stay tuned.

Fabergé Opens Boutique in London

The Fabergé brand continues its return to the world of luxury jewelry under its new owners by opening a store in London. In addition, the company said its watches and jewelry are now available in London’s Harrod’s and it will soon open a store in New York.

It is the first time in a nearly a century that Fabergé, known for its iconic bejeweled eggs, has had a store in London. The boutique is located at 14A Grafton Street in Mayfair.

Due to the repatriation of Russian resources at the beginning of the First World War, the last Fabergé store in London closed in 1915. The store at 173 Bond Street, was visited by royalty, nobility, potentates, tycoons, socialites and connoisseurs from around the world. Fabergé first opened in London in 1906 at 48 Dover Street, moving to Bond Street in 1910.



The new store features a lilac façade that evokes the guilloche and enamel techniques for which Fabergé was renowned, the company said. The interior is a fusion of old and new.

In New York, Fabergé has secured 694 Madison Ave., which will open in spring 2012. In the meantime, Fabergé is hosting special seasonal “by appointment” previews at the Plaza Hotel, Fifth Avenue at Central Park South until December 30.

The new locations carry selections from the key Fabergé collections that include:

* The jewelry collections Les Fabuleuses de Fabergé, Saisons Russes, Le Carnet Bal and the Solyanka Treasures;

* Les Fameux de Fabergé, the recently released one-of-a-kind high jewelry egg pendants;

* Les Favorites de Fabrge, a collection of fine jewelry egg pendants with about 60 designs, rekindling the tradition of Fabergé as gifts for special occasions; and

* Fabergé Horlogerie, a collection of handmade men’s and women’s watches featuring the brand’s guilloche and enamel techniques.

These are the latest of several moves that the brand has made since it was purchased in 2007 by Pallinghurst Resources, a London-based private equity company, from Unilever, a consumers products company.

Pallinghurst reunited the Fabergé brand with the Fabergé family. Tatiana and Sarah Fabergé, great granddaughters of Peter Carl Fabergé, together with John Andrew, make up the Fabergé Heritage Council. which guides the unified Fabergé in its pursuit of Fabergé’s original values, philosophy and spirit. Géza von Habsburg, a leading Fabergé expert and author, serves as Fabergé’s curatorial director.

In 2009, the company launched new jewelry collections, a website and its first boutique in Geneva.

More recently, in July, the company launched the Les Fameux de Fabergé one-of-a-kind high jewelry egg pendants and the Les Favorites de Fabrge fine jewelry egg pendants.

Fabergé was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, whoc moved from France to Russia in the 1830s to train as a goldsmith. Gustav’s son, Peter Carl Fabergé (born in 1846) led the firm to worldwide renown, winning the favor of the Imperial Romanov family in the 1880s and the award of the Grand Prix at the 1900 World Fair in Paris.

In 1917, the Russian Revolution brought an abrupt end to the Romanov dynasty, and to the House of Fabergé. The company was nationalized, all production closed down and Peter Carl Fabergé and his family fled Russia. He died in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1920.

By the time of the Bolshevik Revolution, Fabergé had produced more than 155,000 items spanning jewelry, objects, tableware and accessories ranging from cigarette cases to crochet hooks. The first of the 50 legendary and world famous Imperial Fabergé Eggs was the “Hen Egg” of 1885, with the “Steel Military Egg” of 1916 being the last completed. Two eggs were in preparation in 1917 but were not finished. A handful of egg objects were made as private commissions, including the Rothschild egg, which was sold recently at auction by Christies for $19.5 million.

In a second blow, the Fabergé family in 1951 lost the rights to use their family name in selling Fabergé-labeled designs when protracted and expensive litigation forced them to cede these rights to an American corporation for $25,000.

More recently, Unilevel had the rights to the company before selling it to Pallinghurst Resources.

Royal Asscher Opens Flagship Store in Tokyo

The Royal Asscher Diamond Company opened its first flagship store in Japan on July 15, located on the Ginza Street in the center of Tokyo. It represents the company’s first store in Asia.

“It shows our total commitment to Japan in these difficult times,” said Edward Asscher, president of the Netherlands-based company. “We have great respect for the solidarity and vigor the Japanese people has shown to rebuild and overcome their predicament. We are thrilled to continue building our relationship and being part of the most memorable moments of people lives.”

Situated in a prime location, in the heart of the luxury shopping area, in the company of other reputable stores such as LVMH, Bulgari and Chanel, it is also the first Dutch-based company retail operation on the Ginza.

The interior of the modern store is decorated in white contrasting with Royal Asscher’s signature blue and showcases a variety of Royal Asscher diamond engagement rings and jewelry. In commemoration of the opening of the store, a Royal Asscher diamond tiara has been created containing a total of 10 carats of diamonds set in platinum and valued at $385,000. The tiara will be loaned as a special treat to brides who purchase a Royal Asscher engagement ring in the Ginza store.

Hublot Opens First Boutique in Japan

From left: Emmanuel Prat, president of Hublot Japan and LVMH Japan, Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot managing director, Sumo wrestler Sho Hakuho, Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot CEO, and Harumi Torii, founder of a non-profit organization Kids Earth Fund at the June 2 opening of Hublot boutique in Tokyo. Biver is holding the King Power Red Devil that will be auctioned off to support children suffering from the recent Tohoku earthquake.

Hublot celebrated the opening of its flagship boutique on Namiki Street in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district with a special unveiling of the FIFA Winner’s Trophy for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and efforts to help children affected by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The event was attended by local celebrities and top Hublot officials. It is the Swiss luxury watch brand’s first boutique in Japan.

The boutique, designed by New York architect Peter Marino, carries the same concept as the Hublot boutiques in Place Vendôme, Paris (opened in December 2010) and Madison Avenue, New York (opened in February 2011). Marino introduced materials such as bronze, natural buckskin and ebony to convey a warm yet tranquil atmosphere. The Ginza boutique is the only location in Japan to offer the Hublot Vendome Collection.
 
Guests for the celebration included Sumo wrestler Sho Hakuho, soccer goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki and Harumi Torii, founder of a non-profit organization Kids Earth Fund. Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver, attended the event with Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot managing director, and Emmanuel Prat, president of Hublot Japan and LVMH Japan.

Through a strong relationship with FIFA as the tournament’s Official Watchmaker and Official Timekeeper, Hublot was able to bring the FIFA Winner’s Trophy for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil to the event. It was the first public release of the trophy in Japan.

At a charity gala dinner to support the Kids Earth Fund, Hublot announced the donation of 10,000 sets of Swiss Caran d’Ache colored pencils for children affected by the tsunami. They are used by children in drawing workshops to help them express themselves.

As a special feature of the event, Hublot announced that the King Power Red Devil – limited number “000 of 500” timepieces will be presented for an online auction to raise funds for children in despair, beginning June 23. Registration will begin Friday (June 10) through the Hublot website, http://www.hublot.com.

Just after the chaos caused by Tohoku Earthquake on March 11, Hublot launched “Commitment for Japan, You and Hublot for Japan” campaign on its website to raise funds via Red Cross Society for support. The company soon became involved with the Kids Earth Fund, which works to help children worldwide who suffered through disasters.

Italian Bead Company Expands to the Middle East

Amore & Baci, the Italian do-it-yourself beaded jewelry brand, has opened 25 stores in the Middle East in 2010 and has plans to open more stores this year.

Amore & Baci creates a new trendy jewelry concept for women. It offers 925 sterling silver beads with a mix of materials, including Swarovski crystals, Murano glass, cubic zirconia, and enamel.

“The brand is very well-known internationally but the concept is very new to the Middle East,” said Giovanni Licastro, owner of the Arezzo-based company. “We see a huge potential of Amore & Baci in the Middle East that is why we are concentrating on the development of our existing points of sale; and as we expand the line to create a full brand concept, we expect more growth for the brand beginning 2011.”

In Dubai, Amore & Baci is available at Dalya kiosks in Mirdif City Center and at the Mall of the Emirates, as well as at Clarity fine jewelry shop at the Gold and Diamond Park.

Amore & Baci is available in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi, Lebanon and Syria. It is distributed by Christian Bernard Middle East, the regional subsidiary of the Christian Bernard Group in France.

CORUM Opens its First Boutique in Switzerland

Officials perform ribbon-cutting ceremony at new Corum boutique in Geneva. (from left) Pierre-François Unger, Geneva government official, Loïck Peyron, sailor and Corum ambassador, Antonio Calce, Corum CEO, and Alain Guttly, boutique general director.

Swiss watch brand Corum opened its first boutique in its home country of Switzerland, in the watch capital of Geneva on Thursday. It’s the second branded store in the company’s 55-year history.

The new boutique is located in the Place Kléberg, along the shores of Lake Geneva, in an historical building inspired by classic Geneva-style architecture with four large bay windows displaying the company’s watches. The door handles are engraved with the brand emblem, the Corum key.

Inside, ebony wood furniture and flooring contrast with walls feature technical drawings of the brand’s movements and timepieces, evoking its watchmaking talent and its horological culture. The simple and refined interior design is enhanced by plasma screens showing films of the brand’s history with hints of its future. Bathed in natural daylight, the 753-square-foot area invites customers to stroll around and explore.

Interior of new Corum boutique in Geneva.

“Opening our first boutique in Switzerland bears witness to the level of maturity that the Corum brand has achieved,” said Antonio Calce, CEO of Corum. “On the one hand, it reflects our global distribution policy aimed at consolidating our selective distribution network while moving it up-market; and on the other, it testifies to the brand’s determination to invest in the long term.”

Corum, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, opened its first boutique in Hong Kong in December, 2009. Its third store is planned to open in Shanghai in October. The company said more stores will follow.