Jessica McCormack Transforms Jewelry Retail with Glamorous Spaces
Jessica McCormack, the 2026 GEM Award winner for Retail Excellence, is redefining the jewelry experience. From her Carlos Place townhouse in London to her new Madison Avenue store in New York, McCormack blends luxury with approachability.
Her recent New York store opening at the Frick Collection showcased her unique style. The event featured ambassador Zoë Kravitz and celebrities like Laura Dern and Shailene Woodley, offering a mix of photogenic glamour and cozy charm.
Redefining Jewelry Spaces
McCormack challenges traditional jewelry store norms. Unlike typical small-scale jewel boxes, her spaces are expansive. Her Carlos Place townhouse, open since 2013, feels like a welcoming home, not a sterile salon.
“I want to be able to come in and feel it’s discoverable and fun, and you can find something, and it doesn’t have to be just dropping a hundred grand,” she says. Her stores invite exploration, from libraries to hidden rooms filled with art and antiques. This approach contrasts sharply with the intimidating atmosphere of many high-end jewelry shops.
A Natural Evolution
McCormack’s success is no accident. “It takes 20 years to become an overnight success,” she notes. Her journey includes market testing and refining the customer journey. Her New York store, located in the heart of Madison Avenue, reflects this meticulous planning.
Her relationship with Zoë Kravitz exemplifies her philosophy. Starting as a client, Kravitz became a friend and eventually an ambassador. “It’s a real relationship; it’s not transactional,” McCormack explains. Kravitz’s influence is evident, from popularizing ‘90s-style leather cords to inspiring custom armbands.
Read Also: 70s Jewelry Trends Resurface with Modern Twist
The Art of Wearable Luxury
McCormack’s philosophy centers on wearability. She encourages clients to wear jewelry from school gates to dinner dates, blending daytime and evening use. “There are twenty-four hours in the day, and now I’ve got a whole extra twelve hours to wear my diamonds, versus just the twelve hours at night,” she says.
This approach is clearly working as the store’s already a destination for clients, new and already fervent. However, nothing has been left to chance in the formula. “We did a lot of homework, a lot of market testing. It takes 20 years to become an overnight success. But I feel it’s going well because we’ve put the work in. We’ve got a great team,” McCormack offers humbly.
A Legacy Rooted in History
McCormack’s love for vintage and antiques shapes her aesthetic. Raised by an antiques dealer, she draws inspiration from Victorian, Georgian, and Art Deco eras. Her childhood was an education in vintage. “My dad was an antiques and art dealer, so I just love old things. I love Victorian jewelry because, obviously, when I was in my twenties, I had an inner goth. The memento mori jewelry I loved—this was what drew the Brontë sisters, with the hair, the skulls, the enamel, the poesy rings, the secret messages. That was definitely my first love.”
Her New York store, like her London townhouse, embodies her vision of a welcoming space. Located on Madison Avenue, it offers a library, hidden rooms, and a home-like atmosphere, inviting clients to explore and discover. This contrasts with the intimidating aura of traditional jewelry salons.
Her collaboration with Margot Robbie’s stylist, Andrew Mukamal, for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights highlights her ability to blend historical references with contemporary design. Pieces like the Brontë sisters-inspired bracelet not only captivate on screen but also sell swiftly, proving her salability.
