New York’s Cadar launches in Europe with Paris pop-up

By

Erin Floyd

Published
Apr 4, 2017

The New York jewellery brand has taken its first footsteps into the European market, opening its inaugural pop-up on the ground floor of Paris’ upscale department store Le Bon Marché. Designed by Michal Kadar, the label known for its distinctive contemporary aesthetic is hosting the 10-square-metre pop-up in Paris’ 7th arrondissement for eight weeks.

The label has selected 56-odd pieces to present at the luxury fashion landmark on rue de Sèvres, including bracelets, necklaces and earrings from across five collections: Water; Light; Bloom (‘Water + Light = Life’ – a three-part serial range); Reflection; and Endless. All in 18-carat gold, each collection offers pieces with a moving component, reflecting the designer’s initial desire for versatile and fashion-forward fine jewellery, a search that motivated her to launch the brand: ‘My husband and I were looking for something that would change with me… [a piece] that I could change with different outfits,’ says Kadar, opening and closing the carapace of her engagement ring in demonstration.  

Versatility is as much reflected in the display as in the collection, as the brand emphasises in its custom set design for the newest location. At the Parisian boutique, matte monochrome prints of clover and water are mounted inside polished chrome vitrines. The natural imagery is also designed by Kadar. ‘When Michal came here she really wanted to show who she is and what she does and nature is a very big part of how she designs,’ says Sales Director Siham Tib.

Some 80 fans and clients attended the champagne opening, among them Bon Marché CEO Patrice Wagner. "We are very honored to have Cadar here in Bon Marché. This jewellery has the level of sophistication we like," he said.

The label’s ‘elemental’ inspiration has become a defining feature of the brand’s aesthetic since it was launched by Michal Kadar and husband Dr. Avraham Kadar in November 2014. Worn by stars including Zooey Deschanel, James Bond actress Olga Kurylenko and Orange Is The New Black's Laverne Cox, the label has already been named a Rising Star in the fine jewellery category by Fashion Group International. It quickly made its retail debut at luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman in August 2016 with the Cadar Collection, and has inaugurated its European expansion plan in a similar style in Paris. Its pop-up is positioned between Céline and Loro Piana boutiques in Le Bon Marché.

‘Michal was very sure that she didn’t want to be in jewellery stores, she wanted to be sure to be surrounded by fashion – she has a background as a fashion designer,’ Tib explains. ‘Fashionistas appreciate creativity… so we [started] in New York at Bergdorf Goodman.’  

As such, Le Bon Marché seemed a natural progression, and the label is considering a permanent space in Paris. ‘We would like to stay here. Hopefully it will work,’ Kadar says. Much depends on the French consumer – will they plump for the label’s signature statement pieces? ‘We will see how the French customer reacts… We are specifically known for our bigger pieces, and since we opened the bigger pieces have been [the most frequently] tried on, so we’re happy we followed our gut feeling,’ says Tib confidently.

Prices for the offering available in-store at Le Bon Marché range from 1,900 euros to 38,000 euros.