The British designer is hunting for a permanent retail space in the Big Apple

London-based jewelry designer Pippa Small—whose luxe, bohemian-vibe collection is a favorite among celebs, including Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon—has set up temporary shop inside New York City boutique LF8 through April 12.

The designer, who was awarded an MBE (member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by the Queen of England earlier this year for her services to ethical jewelry production and charity, says the weeklong pop-up is helping her gauge local interest in the collection, as she hopes to start shopping for a permanent retail space in the city soon.

Designer Pippa Small (left) with actress Laura Dern at the opening of her pop-up at LF8 in New York City this week (courtesy of Pippa Small Jewellery)

“But, of course, we’re not getting anywhere with it,” she says with a wry laugh. “Because whenever you ask someone where you should open a store in New York, each person has a different answer.”

Originally an anthropologist, Small travels the world to source stones and works with communities across India and Bolivia, among other countries, to design collections that are ethically sourced and produced.

LF8, a new store on Manhattan’s Lower East Side owned by Australian retailer Lisa Fox—who is a mutual friend of Small’s friend and client Deborra-Lee Furness (who’s married to Hugh Jackman)—showcases a revolving roster of installations and exhibitions from brands and artists. 

Small is showcasing four of her collections in the space, including her main line of chic, earthy jewelry produced in India and a collection produced in Afghanistan by 10 specially trained Afghani women.

A case of the designer’s pieces at LF8 (courtesy of Pippa Small Jewellery)

“We’ve been working in Afghanistan for six years, and it’s a very important year for the country with the elections and withdrawl of U.S. troops,” notes Small. “We hope these women can continue carrying on. There’s this idea that if you give women a taste of freedom and independence, they won’t allow the Taliban to come back.”

Small describes her signature collection as “using 18k and sometimes 22k gold and as many as incredible stones and rocks as I can find.”

 

 

 

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine