This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Yoko London’s modern pearl pieces move to Bergdorf
Yoko London is expanding in the United States, a market that CEO Michael Hakimian said is rapidly becoming the brand’s best.

New York--Luxury pearl brand Yoko London is expanding its presence in the U.S. with the announcement that the company’s pieces will be available in New York City’s Bergdorf Goodman department store.
The retailer now is selling a number of the brand’s designs, including ombré necklaces, drop earrings, bangles, and statement rings.
Yoko London also is sold at Neiman Marcus and in a number of independent jewelry retail stores across the country.
The collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman marks a high point in the growth of the Yoko London brand internationally, according to CEO Michael Hakimian, especially as the brand continues its targeted growth in the United States.
“The American market is really starting to wake up,” Hakimian recently told National Jeweler in an interview. “It’s rapidly becoming our best market.”
He added that American consumers especially are responding to Yoko London’s colored pearls, natural shapes and unique designs, which represent a modern take on pearls that they can style with today’s fashions. “They’re not looking to buy the same thing as everyone else.”
Founded in 1973, Yoko London boasts unique pearls in natural colors and exceptional sizes, including the recent acquisition of a collection of rare “radiant orchid” cultured freshwater pearls for use in the “Vigneto” collection.
Four of the Yoko London suites from its “Masterpiece” collection also recently were selected to go on display at the “Pearls” exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
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