Carmel, California – Fourtané has announced the opening of a new flagship jewellery store in Carmel.
The jewellery and watch retailer has been in the area for more than 70 years.
The new two-story, 3,600-square-foot space will feature Fourtané’s own collection of vintage and estate jewellery, as well as jewellery from brand partners such as Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Simon G., Robert Procop and Geoffrey Good, and debut showcases from Messika and Carolina Bucci.
The brand partnered with Carolina Bucci to present the fourth-generation Florentine designer’s first dedicated shop-in-shop in the US.
Fourtané described the partnership as a “thoughtful strategic decision”, noting that both brands’ bespoke approach to relaxed yet personalised luxury was a commonality that the Bucci team said would allow for “full immersion” in the brand.
“We are thrilled to bring an exceptional jewellery shopping experience to Carmel with the opening of our second location in [Carmel-by-the-Sea,] California, and even more excited to have Carolina Bucci join us on this journey,” said Fourtané owner Kris Bonifas.
“With the opening of our new flagship jewellery boutique, we want to give our customers the opportunity to experience exceptional jewellery in a luxurious, understated environment. As our boutique is anchored by newsworthy brand partners such as Carolina, we aim to increase our appeal and awareness on a national level”.
Carolina Bucci has also created a special ‘Carmel’ version of her signature ‘Forte’ pearl bracelet and a ‘Lucky Fourtané’ bracelet, both of which will be available exclusively at Fourtané.
Outside of the brand’s London and Florence boutiques, the Carolina Bucci shop-in-shop in Carmel will be the only place where customers can customise a “Forte” pearl bracelet in person.
“I could not be happier to launch our first dedicated Carolina Bucci space in the US with Fourtané,” said Carolina Bucci.
“In building this brand, I have always looked for the right next step for the long term, and I have been patient with these opportunities. This new partnership is the result of more than six years of conversations. It is based on the beauty of Carmel and the surrounding area, of course, but more importantly, it is based on the mutual trust and values I share with the Bonifas family. I am confident that they will bring the Carolina Bucci Florentine spirit to life for their customers in their beautiful new location.
The new store was designed in collaboration with Swiss architecture firm Studio Tonic.
It features neutral colours, Calacatta marble, white oak herringbone flooring, contemporary art and modern architectural details, all of which create a residential and welcoming feel for shoppers, Fourtané said.
The vision for the design of the flagship store was a fusion of “effortless Californian elegance” and the old-world luxury of a Parisian apartment, linking Fourtané’s curated estate jewellery with the contemporary brands entering the new space.
The Carolina Bucci shop-in-shop is located on the first floor of the new flagship store, next to the hospitality bar. Dark wood shelves in the main gallery feature the colours of the designer’s ‘Forte’ bead jars and marble beads.
Upstairs, another gallery features a “state-of-the-art” jewellery workshop with an in-house master jeweller offering bespoke designs and a VIP lounge with a glass wall offering views of Carmel.
The opening of the new boutique marks another milestone in Fourtané’s overall US expansion strategy, the brand said.
Fourtané also operates a Rolex boutique, which it opened in San Diego in 2018. The company is currently renovating it and doubling the size of the showroom, with plans to open the store by January 2024.
