Jessica McCormack recently opened her first store outside London, and she has filled the New York City boutique with her favorite artwork and plush furnishing to make it feel like a second home.
“I have always loved Manhattan, and to be opening on one of its most iconic shopping streets is the perfect opportunity to reach more people while welcoming old and new clients,” the jewelry designer says.
McCormack’s NYC store, at 743 Madison Ave., is located in a beaux arts building that dates back to 1879. She worked with restoration architects Johnston Cave and New York City’s Society of Gilders to preserve and highlight the building’s original features, such as its walnut parquet floor.
In London, McCormack has a Mayfair flagship and a second location on Sloane Street in Knightsbridge.
“I’ve always aimed for our stores to feel more like a home than a traditional retail environment,” she says. “I want our clients to feel comfortable and to experience the jewelry in an atmosphere that feels both personal and inviting. Ultimately, that’s the kind of space I believe jewelry should live in.”
The Madison Avenue boutique, which covers two floors and 3,200 square feet, features McCormack’s design aesthetic in its interior—an eclectic yet purposeful mix of antique and modern furniture, blue velvet–lined cases, and multidisciplinary art.
“There are lots of finishing touches that give the store a kind of lived-in feel, like family photos, a small dog bed for our furry visitors, and a mural drawn by a friend of mine,” McCormack says. “I knew that I wanted the interiors to have that cozy feeling while being super elevated at the same time.”
Artwork is typically a standout in every Jessica McCormack boutique, and New York City received such personal favorites as La Buena Fama Durmiendo, a photograph by Mexican modernist Manuel Alvarez Bravo; New Drape, a 2010 bronze by London-based sculptor Thomas J. Price; and In Killing Fields Sweet Butterfly Ascend, a collage by Wangechi Mutu.
“Collecting art, antiques, and objets has always been a bit of an obsession of mine,” says McCormack. “It’s very similar to curating a jewelry collection in many ways. Each piece is chosen with intention for its distinctive character and how it fits into a larger narrative.”
Some Jessica McCormack jewelry for sale in the store is handcrafted by New York City artisans in a nearby workshop. McCormack says she considers the Big Apple her home away from home, and plans to visit regularly to work on custom commissions and meet with clients.
“I think the most important thing is for people to feel comfortable and welcome. Buying jewelry is something that requires time and consideration, so the space needs to be both interesting and relaxed,” she says.
“I like the idea of the interiors and artworks inviting visitors to take their time in the store, whether it’s getting comfortable on the sofas, picking out your favorite painting, or having a look through the library.”
Top: Inside the recently opened New York City store of jewlery designer Jessica McCormack (photos courtesy of Jessica McCormack)
