This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Shinola Announces Expansion into Fine Jewelry
The watch brand is partnering with designer Pamela Love for its jewelry-making and manufacturing needs, and plans to release its first collection this November.
Detroit--Shinola is continuing to advance its brand, recently announcing that it has formed a strategic partnership with jewelry designer Pamela Love and will be honored with an American Image Award later this year.
Shinola, an American-made watch, leather goods and bicycle company based in Detroit, was established in 2011.
Since then, the company has opened more than 10 storefronts, won a Gem Award for marketing and communications, and been named the “coolest brand in America” by Adweek.
Now, Shinola says it has teamed up with jewelry designer Pamela Love to expand its offerings to include fine jewelry.
Love is an award-winning New York-based designer who got her start in 2007, and now has a full production facility and design studio in the city’s Garment District.
Shinola said its first jewelry collection collaboration with Love will roll out this November in its stores and with select wholesale partners, and will include earrings, necklaces and bracelets in sterling silver and 14-karat gold that retail for $200 to $2,000.
“We believe this partnership positions us to build a unique capability to manufacture jewelry in America and to create additional jobs,” Shinola’s Tom Kartsotis said.
Shinola also announced that it has been named Retailer of the Year in the 2016 American Image Awards, an event hosted by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) that honors those who have exemplified leadership, excellence and outstanding achievement in all sectors of the apparel and footwear industry.
Shinola will be recognized along with footwear company BBC International LLC, clothing designer Christian Siriano and fashion icon Iris Apfel.
“This year’s honorees epitomize the best of the industry from design through creativity, to business and marketing achievements,” said AAFA President and CEO Rick Helfenbein.
Jacques Panis, Shinola Detroit president, will accept the award at the 38th annual American Image Awards, scheduled to take place May 24 in New York.
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