New York City–based jewelry brand Ippolita is known for its rainbow-bright gemstones bordered by thin strips of precious metal. But its first-ever retail location, which opened its doors Sept. 26 on Madison Avenue in New York, is a study in subdued grays and beiges, which display the label’s lollipop-colored pieces in high-definition.
Brand designer and visionary Ippolita Rostagno took inspiration for the 500-square-foot shop from her own townhouse in Brooklyn. It’s one of the first of 12 planned stores for Ippolita in the next three years.
The eye-catching facade of Ippolita’s new Madison Avenue flagship
Interior architect Jeffrey Hutchison, who’s also responsible for Ippolita’s shop-in-shops at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, conceptualized the project, commissioning a show-stopper of a chandelier by artist Jess LaRontanda as its visual centerpiece. The organic-feeling fixture is composed of individual, hand-gilded flowers in porcelain, affecting a tangle of wild flowers and vines sun-bleached to ashy gray.
“We wanted our store to be more inviting than your typical jewelry store,” says Ippolita CEO Joe Cavalcante. “There’s a warmth and casually luxurious feel to the space.”
The popular brand, which has grown exponentially since launching in 2000 with a single collection at Bergdorf Goodman, “has reached a size where it can support retail, so opening a branded boutique was the obvious next step in our development,” says Cavalcante. “Our customers have been asking for an opportunity to experience the brand in its own environment.”
Ippolita’s colorful jewelry is displayed against minimalist gray and beige (Photos courtesy of Ippolita)
The new outpost stocks Ippolita’s 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, and Rosé collections, along with its new leather line, comprising bracelets, color-blocked clutch handbags, and pouches in leather and python, all handcrafted in Florence.
It will also exclusively carry select vintage pieces and Ippolita’s blue-themed Oceano collection. Prices range from $175 to $37,500 for jewelry; handbags start at $1,495.
The designer, for one, is in love with her new digs. “She’s absolutely thrilled with how Madison turned out and is excited to have a retail presence in our home city,” says Cavalcante. “Ippolita is a perfectionist, so she’s already thinking through enhancements for our next few stores.”
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