Founded 20 ago by Valérie Messika, her Parisian jewelry house has built a reputation for offering a contemporary approach to diamonds — French craftsmanship with a decidedly modern edge. Valérie, who continues to lead as Founder and Artistic Director, marks the milestone in the form of a new home on Madison Avenue.
The boutique, which has been thoughtfully designed to feel like a welcoming and warm private residence, offers an intimate, art-filled space that’s dedicated entirely to the Maison’s Fine and High Jewellery. Here, the setting welcomes its guests among a contemporary design and personal touches from Valérie Messika herself, for a boutique that perfectly balances the Maison’s French heritage with its bold, forward-looking spirit.
We learn more from Valérie about the milestone, her vision for the space, and the Madison Avenue address she waited patiently for.
Felicity Why this location on Madison Avenue, and why now?
Valérie Messika: We’re celebrating 20 years at Maison this year, but we have only been in America for about eight years now. We’ve always looked for the best locations in the key American cities. Madison Avenue was always on mind, but I knew it needed to be in the perfect location on Madison, so I waited patiently, and finally we found the perfect gem between 63rd and 64th streets.
FC: How do you see New York shaping Messika’s story compared to Paris?
VM: My business is growing every day, and I am enamoured by where we started 20 years ago and where we are today. Every boutique we open, and every flagship we open, I am emotional every time because each one is unique and tells a story.
For me, New York is somewhere I’ve always felt at home. The first thing I do every time I land in New York is go for a walk in Central Park. There is something so special about the energy in the city. With this boutique I wanted to bring a little bit of Paris to New York which is why I designed it to feel like you’ve just entered an alluring, chic, Parisian apartment.
FC: This is the first Messika boutique dedicated only to Fine and High Jewelry, why draw that line here?
VM: This is the first boutique in Americas with such a concept – we of course have the full offering of Messika, including our core icons like Move Noa and Move Romane, but the pieces on display are focused on Fine and High Jewelry collections. This is what our clients are gravitating towards and asking for – there is such a desire for our elevated collections that it only makes sense that we showcase those. It is a fine balance though because we never want to become the brand that feels unapproachable.
FC: What do you want people to feel when they walk into this boutique for the first time?
VM: I want everyone to feel like they have just stepped into my home, and are welcomed with open arms. What’s important to me is that they really feel our spirit. I spent hours perfecting every detail of this boutique ensuring that it didn’t feel like just another store, or intimidating in anyway. We want people to come in and try on pieces, learn about our history and craft, and feel like they made a friend for life when they shop at our boutiques.
Address: Messika, 727 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States