Beirut-based fine jewelry house A&W Mouzannar has debuted a pop-up shop in New York City—its first major retail spot in the United States—at 436 West Broadway.
The family-owned firm, which was established in the 1800s, was affected by the tragic Beirut explosion in August that killed more than 200 people—its headquarters were damaged and “many lives in our community were destroyed,” says house co-designer Alia Mouzannar, a sixth-generation jeweler. She adds, “Our business…needed a new home, so we decided to come to New York to continue in a fresh, new market. We want to offer innovative, handcrafted designs never seen before in the region.”
To be clear, the company is still based in Beirut, but it has officially entered the U.S. market with its pop-up. Its heart is still very much with its community—proceeds from the shop benefit nonprofit organization Beit El Baraka, which works to provide housing and other basic needs to victims of the explosion and their families.
“Since our family was directly affected by the explosion, we’ve personally experienced the destruction and trauma that was caused by this tragic event,” adds brand co-designer Dori Mouzannar, also a sixth-generation jeweler. “We wanted to do everything in our power to assist other families and victims who are struggling to recover.”
The Middle Eastern maison is perhaps most widely known for handcrafting the gems in the $3 million Victoria’s Secret Bright Night Fantasy Bra, designed by Eddie Borgo. But its collaborations over the years have been numerous, and include festooning a pair of Chuck Taylor high-tops with gold laces and blue sapphires for a Converse campaign (see the shoes below).
Since the pop-up debuted, Alia says, New Yorkers have been gravitating to “the flair of Eastern-inspired, Arabesque collection designs” in particular.
A&W Mouzannar’s pop-up will be open through Jan. 24 and is offering private appointments to those who wish to shop alone. It’s also, of course, adhering to COVID-19 restrictions mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which limit store capacity and require frequent disinfecting of surfaces and product.
Top: A&W Mouzannar Cache collection ring, price on request (all photos courtesy of A&W Mouzannar)
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