Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Dubai-based line NC Rocks looks to enter US market
Plans call for the brand to be sold via independent retailers, with the majority of pieces priced between $1,000 and $7,000 retail.
NC Rocks is made up of the mother-daughter team of Nadine Hammoud and Cherine Altobaishi, who work in 18-karat gold with diamonds, precious gemstones and enamel to create pieces that “honor the stylized ornamentation of Art Deco, the contoured fashions of the ‘30s and ‘50s, and the liberal, versatile vibe of the ‘70s,” according to the brand’s website.
“Both Cherine and I loved the U.S. … (and) we both felt that New York, and by extension the U.S. market, is quite open to new energy, new talent,” Hammoud told National Jeweler. “It’s really the spirit of the nation, and we wanted to tap into that.”
The brand will be sold in the U.S. via independent retailers, she added, “and we are in discussion with a few right now. In New York, we show in Chelsea via a multi-brand showroom, and we also plan to show in Paris next season, in a private salon.”
Hammoud said interested retailers can reach the designers via the recently-launched NC Rocks website, which showcases the brand’s necklaces, rings, earrings, ear cuffs and bracelets. An e-commerce function is expected to be added to the site later this year.
The debut resort collection ranges in price from $700 to $32,000, Women’s Wear Daily reported, yet the majority of the line falls between $1,000 and $7,000 retail.
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