For La Kaiser Jewelry founder and designer Cindy Kaiser, California’s laid-back vibe has always resonated with this seasoned traveler, a feeling that grew after the birth of her daughter and her family’s frequent visits to the Santa Barbara area.
Now, the Golden Coast means even more to Kaiser, who recently opened her brand’s flagship store in Santa Barbara. With its Californian chill, soft salmon colors, and simple elegance, Kaiser says she hopes her longtime clients and newcomers will enjoy the space and the array of fine jewelry found within—along with a soon-to-open permanent jewelry station.
“California has always held a very special place in my heart. It was the first state I lived in when I moved to the United States after finishing college in South Africa, and it also was the state that La Kaiser was born in nearly 10 years ago now,” Kaiser says.
Kaiser says her goal with its design was to represent California’s warmth both in terms of the store’s looks and its attitude.
“I always knew that I wanted to open a retail store at some point, and when my fiancé and I decided to spend a significant amount of time in Santa Barbara after our daughter was born, it became evident that Santa Barbara was the perfect place for our first La Kaiser retail store,” Kaiser says.
The colors found inside the store at 1101 State Street were inspired by the “vibrant and romantic” sunsets that are a part of the West Coast’s daily life, Kaiser says.
“I added in gold as another primary color to represent the richness of the jewelry. I also used some strong contrast purples and pinks in the jewelry displays just to add a pop of color to the overall aesthetic of the store and keep it fun,” Kaiser says.
The displays are also about keeping the store serene while showing off the stacking rings, layering options, and fine jewelry La Kaiser is known for as a brand, Kaiser says.
“I wanted the jewelry to be displayed in a very simplistic yet elegant manner,” Kaiser says. “I’ve always been inspired by retail spaces that maintain a very clean and minimal approach yet still remain visually inspiring. My design approach with each collection of jewelry is done in a very similar way: Simplistic in essence with a hint of color.”
Having this flagship store has been fun because now Kaiser can get involved in the local community, planning events that people will enjoy while browsing. For example, La Kaiser will be a part of the First Thursdays events on State Street, a beloved Santa Barbara get-together.
“I want our customers to feel like they have walked into a high-end yet super-chill boutique that they feel comfortable spending time in, trying on different stacking rings and layering options. It’s important to me that any customer that walks into our store doesn’t feel pressured or pushed into a sale,” Kaiser says. “I really want customers to feel connected to the brand and inspired by the simplistic designs and aesthetic.”
Kaiser also has a Chicago studio and showroom, which is open to the public by appointment only. Kaiser wants her brand to continue to grow, and she says she appreciates all of the support her work has received from the industry and the public.
“We love our retail and wholesale partners so much and have been so blessed to have had the greatest relationships over the years, which are still going strong. Thank you to all the boutiques that support us,” Kaiser says.
Top: La Kaiser opened its first flagship store in June, giving its customers California vibes with color, modern displays, and local flavor, says founder and designer Cindy Kaiser (photos courtesy of La Kaiser).
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