Gird your loins, magpies! Harvey Nichols is here to satisfy all your diamond-encrusted needs.
The luxury retailer has unveiled a curated space inside its Knightsbridge flagship that houses the best and brightest names in the jewellery world. The roster is vast, spanning subversive artists like Gala Colivet-Dennison, whose thick and winding pieces are akin to miniature sculptures, to modern minimalists like Copenhagen-based brand Elhanati, known for its mix of jagged silhouettes and exquisitely-cut gems that speak to both the elegance and bite of the Nordic spirit. Outward-looking in its approach, the curation features jewellers from across the globe, with designs imported from LA, Berlin, Paris and beyond.
Situated in a new spot coined 125 at the centre of the store’s ground floor, the project is intended to offer the Harvey Nichols clientele “a jewellery selection they won’t find anywhere else,” says chief merchant, Kate Benson. “Jewellery has shed its identity as a mere signifier of status and become the ultimate mode of self-expression. It’s a deeply personal purchase and without it, no outfit is complete.”
We all have our own distinct ways of piling on our beloved gems and chains, which is reflected in the eclectic design of the space. Utilising primary colours and whimsical artwork, the playful curation encourages shoppers to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the alternative perspectives displayed inside the glass cases.
Speaking on why the retailer opted for this type of interior, creative director, Kate Phelan, says Harvey Nichols wanted something that was “a departure from what customers would traditionally expect to discover in a store… The furniture is deliberately modular, to give flexibility and a sense of informality to the space, allowing the area to be reconfigured to accommodate new collaborations and ongoing curation.”
Joining Harvey Nichols in November of last year, the revered stylist is working alongside CEO Julia Goddard to revamp the store’s image, collaborating with the best names in the biz. One standout aspect of the jewellery space is a new installation comprised of oversized heads, stacked and melted together to create a toy-like totem pole, the work of artist and friend of 10, Gary Card. “[The work] creates a visual landmark in the store and shows our ongoing support for the UK’s creative community,” says Phelan on Card’s inclusion, whose wacky, maximalist sculptures and artwork has attracted a cult following.
“The launch of 125 is just the beginning of the changes we are making in the store,” Phelan continues. “Each floor is adapting to the changing needs of today’s customer… More and more, we are seeing that customers have a strong desire for physical spaces that go beyond product. They are seeking experiences, personalisation and interaction, so we want the store to encourage discovery and act as a space to explore.” So whether you’re looking to update your stack of silver, or just fancy a nice mooch around, 125 is your one-stop shop. Discover more about the edit here.
Photography courtesy of Harvey Nichols. Visit the 125 space at 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ.
