IndependentsMay 21, 2024
State of Retail: 4 Retail Design Trends for 2024From lighter color palettes to the integration of AR, experts offer inspiration for jewelers in need of an aesthetic refresh.
MajorsApr 29, 2014
Marchesa launching fine jewelry line at Macy’s
This holiday season, Macy’s will begin selling both bridal and fashion Marchesa jewelry with the majority of pieces to be priced between $5,000 and $10,000.
This tulle wedding gown with a re-embroidered flower top and back peplum detail ($10,950) is an example of the delicate work that embodies the Marchesa brand and which Prestige Jewelry International will be translating into fine jewelry.
New York--This holiday season, Macy’s will begin selling both bridal and fashion Marchesa jewelry with the majority of pieces to be priced between $5,000 and $10,000.
The line will be exclusive to Macy’s until spring 2015, after which it will become available to other department stores and independent retailers.
Based in New York, Marchesa is a brand of high-end womenswear, including wedding dresses. Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig co-founded the brand in 2004 and its namesake is Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957), an Italian heiress known for her unique style.
Prestige Jewelry International will source the diamonds for the Marchesa fine jewelry line and manufacture the pieces, both in the United States and overseas, Prestige CEO Rajiv Kothari said. Chapman and Craig, meanwhile, will work with Prestige’s in-house team on the design of the pieces.
Kothari said while they haven’t yet determined the exact quality range of the diamonds or what metals they will use, they do know they want the pieces to start at $2,000, with the most expensive statement pieces coming in around $20,000. “These price points are really where we think the market will bear Marchesa jewelry,” he said.
No pictures of the jewelry were available as of Tuesday, but Kothari said they will echo the Marchesa aesthetic of intricate details and delicacy, as can be seen on Marchesa.com.
“All of these are the elements we hope to capture in jewelry,” he said.
Following the line’s initial launch at Macy’s this November, which will consist mostly of bridal jewelry, Kothari said they intend to add more fashion pieces by spring 2015, making the mix 50/50.
After spring 2015, distribution will expand beyond Macy’s to guild-level jewelers around the globe. On the department store level, they are hoping to sell Marchesa fine jewelry in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, both of which already carry the brand’s clothes.
Marchesa is the latest fashion brand to cross over and create a line of fine jewelry, which further underscores the importance of brands today.
RELATED CONTENT: Engagement ring sales up 19% for Blue Nile in Q1
Online retailer Blue Nile has reported having much success with the line of Monique Lhuillier-branded jewelry designed exclusively for the online retailer, and even expanded the line beyond bridal into fashion pieces.
RELATED CONTENT: Zale holiday comps up 2 percent
Zale Corp. also has found success in selling
bridal and fashion jewelry behind another well-known designer, Vera Wang.
Kothari said he’s well aware of the importance of brands today and that is why his company, which manufactures fine jewelry for both chains and independent retailers, went searching for a fashion brand with which to partner.
“That is what our customers are demanding of us today and this is what the consumers are demanding of our customers,” he said.
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsMay 21, 2024
Dame Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Ready for Their EncoreSotheby’s will auction jewelry belonging to the “Diamonds Are Forever” singer in Paris this October.
ColumnistsMay 21, 2024
Successful Vendor Relationships: A Win-Win ApproachSherry Smith shares tips for fostering successful vendor-retailer partnerships, from marketing investment to fast-seller replenishment.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
IndependentsMay 21, 2024
Jennifer Herold Promoted to VP at IJOHerold has been with the organization for 22 years and will continue in her current role of conference director.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
2 Business-to-Business Platforms Secure Millions in Funding Nivoda and Liquid Diamonds both have big plans for the new capital.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
State of the Diamond Industry: Botswana Beyond DiamondsFrom moringa to ecotourism in the Okavango Delta, the country and its leaders are exploring how Botswana can diversify its economy.
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.
SourcingMay 20, 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
