Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
Designer Finds a Home at New African American Museum
The Smithsonian selected fine jewelry brand Mateo New York to retail at the newly opened National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Washington--Museum gift shops are fertile retail ground for independent designers, but there is an extra layer of meaning associated with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
According to the Smithsonian, the just-opened museum is the first in the United States that is exclusively centered on African-American culture.
“This national museum helps to tell a richer and fuller story of who we are,” CNN reported President Obama as saying at the museum’s opening ceremony.
“By knowing this other story we better understand ourselves and each other,” he continued. “It binds us together. It reaffirms that all of us are America, that African-American history is not somehow separate from our larger American story. It is central to the American story.”
Mateo New York, a men’s and women’s fine jewelry brand, has been chosen to retail in the museum’s gift shop.
Harris hails from Jamaica and made the move to New York at age 16. He launched Mateo New York in 2009. He credits his seamstress mother for exposing him to design.
Now, Harris takes inspiration from his native Jamaica and New York when designing his graphic, architectural collections.
“My design is one of minimalism and simplicity,” he explained. “This has also become the DNA of the brand.”
Harris’ attributes his eye for color solely to his birth country.
“My Jamaican heritage and upbringing influences my work greatly,” he said. “The Jamaica national flag consists of the colors gold, green and black. In my creations, I tend to sneak this color scheme in the collection using yellow gold, black onyx and malachite. Its pays a subtle homage to Jamaica.”
Harris is aware of the significance of being involved with the museum.
He said, “African Americans are not widely represented in jewelry design. I believe it’s not a design or creative field we are necessarily exposed to. I wish in the future this would change.”
For more information, visit the Smithsonian website or MateoNewYork.com.
The Latest
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.