Swiss Jeweler Plans Madison Ave. Boutique

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
May 4th 2010 at 2:01AM

Jewelry designer, Orianne Collins, a jewelry designer with boutiques in Switzerland, is making her U.S. debut in a big way, signing a long-term lease agreement for 655 Madison Avenue in New York City. Her new neighbors will include luxury brands like Barneys New York, Baccarat, Hermés and the Pierre Hotel.

Her "O.C. Concept Store," will offer both her fine jewelry as well as other luxury lifestyle items in a two-level, 3,400-square-foot space. The store will open this fall and will sell items like beauty and cosmetics, art pieces, TVs, laptops, books and music on the first floor. On the lower level Collins will sell her jewelry line, watches and other pieces from designers and contemporary furniture. There will also be a champagne bar.

Collin is of mixed Swiss and Thai origin and grew up in Switzerland. She chose jewelry as her main medium of expression because "it is the most universal form for immortalising the inspiration." The Collins last name comes from musician Phil Collins, her ex-husband. She was his third wife and the couple have two sons, Nicholas and Matthew. She reportedly received a £25 million settlement when they divorced in 2006 which is the same year she began designing jewelry. Her New York City boutique will open in the fall.

Tags: jeweler, jewelry, madison avenue, orianne collins