FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Richemont Appoints Van Cleef & Arpels’ Nicolas Bos as New CEOThe announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
TrendsAug 10, 2016
UK brand Annoushka expands to US market
Fine jewelry brand Annoushka has expanded from its London roots to enter the U.S. market, debuting this week exclusively with Saks Fifth Avenue in its New York and Beverly Hills locations.
Annoushka was established in 2009 by Annoushka Ducas, the same designer who founded Links of London in 1990. She sold the latter company to fashion jewelry company Follie Follie in 2006, and has since focused on her eponymous business, which has boutiques in London and also is carried in luxury department stores in the city, including Harrods and Selfridges.
Annoushka, which offers one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces in 18-karat gold with diamonds and gemstones, garnered attention from U.S. consumers who saw the brand’s pieces on international stars.
“We have a strong celebrity following, anyone from the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) to Rihanna, and this has resulted in an extraordinary growth in web sales to U.S. customers,” John Ayton, chairman and co-founder of Annoushka, told National Jeweler. “So we have entered into an agreement with Saks to have two counters, one at its Fifth Avenue location and one in Beverly Hills, and we have given them exclusivity to sell Annoushka pieces in these locations.”
Ayton said the brand chose to retail with Saks for two reasons: first, it has the “full backing” of the store’s president, Marigay McKee. McKee worked closely with Annoushka when she served as chief merchant at Harrods, where the jewelry company has a “successful” shop-in-shop.
“We’re also excited about future plans for fine jewelry in Saks--there’s a whole program of reinvention going on, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” Ayton said.
Annoushka now has two collections exclusive to the two Saks locations: “One of a Kind,” which offers pieces boasting color-intense semi-precious gemstones, and “Annoushka/24,” which encompasses three lines--Arabesque, Cloud Nine and Dream Catcher--made in limited editions.
Annoushka designs are “not suited to be mass produced,” Ayton explained.
“We’re very happy to be launching in just two locations in Saks and give that exclusivity to them. (Annoushka) is not suited for 50 doors in the U.S.; it’s not where we want to be. We may expand to West Palm Beach, but we’re not expecting to go nationwide,” he said.
“Still, our jewelry remains available on the website.”
This is a plus for consumers outside of Beverly Hills and the U.S., as well-known stars accessorizing with the brand’s jewelry has garnered much attention.
“We have been selling a lot to American customers, who have seen the jewelry worn by celebrities, and we now have a strong following, receiving a lot of orders through (our website),” Ayton said.
Retail prices for Annoushka jewelry at Saks ranges from $600 to $20,000.
“It’s very different from the jewelry that’s currently available in the U.S.,” Ayton said. “It appeals to women between 30 and 50 who are buying their own jewelry and are confident about color.”
More on Trends
The Latest
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Fiscal-Year Sales Flat Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
SourcingMay 14, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
IndependentsMay 09, 2024
Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry to Close Salisbury StoreThe company’s Easton location will remain open.
