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Retail News: Lisa Bridge Tapped To Helm Ben Bridge Chain; Bay Area Designer To Open Retail Gallery November 08, 2017 (0 comments)
Warren Buffett Taps Fifth Generation Lisa Bridge To Helm Ben Bridge Jeweler
Seattle, WA—Ben Bridge Jeweler, the legendary family-run AGS jewelry chain, will have its first female president. Lisa Bridge (left), C.G., fifth-generation jeweler and daughter of current president and co-CEO Edward (Ed) Bridge, has been promoted to president and COO, effective November 1. Her father becomes chairman and CEO, while co-CEO and general counsel Jonathan (Jon) Bridge announced his retirement.
Lisa Bridge grew up in the family business, cleaning the store counters as soon as she was tall enough to reach them. She graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and attended the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, CA. Her formal career launched with time spent in Ben Bridge’s buying department, developing both her passion for gemstones and understanding of the source and design process. Prior to her promotion, Bridge had been the company’s vice president of education for seven years, overseeing the education and professional development of the company’s 1200 associates. She also is very active in the American Gem Society.
Bridge is the creator of the eponymous Lisa Bridge Collection, a youthful, fashionable, and affordable collection launched in 2015 and geared to Millennials and female self-purchasers. It has become one of the fastest growing lines for the jeweler, said a company statement. Below top, a turquoise and black sapphire ring in sterling silver, from the Lisa Bridge collection. Below bottom, a photo featuring a young woman wearing the ring as a contemporary index-finger ring, rather than as a traditional cocktai ring.
At age 32, Bridge’s appointment as not only the company’s first female president but also its youngest, is part of the jeweler’s evolution to connect with a new generation of fine jewelry consumers.
“I love the relationships that are built over a beautiful piece of fine jewelry and I am eager to provide amazing experiences for each of our customers,” says Bridge.
“Ben Bridge has been a part of Berkshire Hathaway for 17 years and Lisa represents a wonderful balance of continuity and evolution,” says Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. “With the challenges facing retailing, I am excited to have someone passionate for the jewelry business, with creative ideas, and an understanding of today’s consumer at the helm. Lisa has retailing in her blood and I am excited for the future with Lisa as president.”
“I am pleased and excited about passing the torch of leadership to the next generation of our family,” says Jon Bridge. “Lisa has been a critical part of Ben Bridge for years and will continue the tradition of service to our customers and communities that we have built over the last century while evolving the business to grow in the digital age. Her knowledge of the business and insight as a member of the next generation will greatly expand opportunities for our company.”
Separately, another Berkshire Hathaway jeweler, Omaha, NE-based Borsheims, held another successful YES! Event last month, where future brides and grooms came for a two-day trunk show featuring leading engagement ring designers and brands such as Frederick Goldman, Fana, Coast, Precision Set, and A. Link. Customers browsed and tried on hundreds of different rings while drinking champagne and mimosas and munching on engagement ring donuts. They also entered a drawing to win an engagement ring or a Kendra Scott bridesmaid jewelry package.
Borsheims didn’t forget the grooms, either: a simultaneous TAG Heuer 01 Event trunk show was held at the same time for grooms to choose gifts for their party.
Shahasp Valentine To Open New Retail Gallery
San Francisco, CA—Jewelry designer Shahasp Valentine announced plans to open a gallery named Rock & Rapture next spring in San Francisco’s Nopa neighborhood. The gallery will feature jewelry, art, and music, with an emphasis on fine jewelry, says the designer. She will feature about 30 to 35 jewelry designers and six fine artists. Her own work will be included--and she will handle all custom design orders--but she says her main focus will be to highlight the designers she represents. Retail price points will range from $200 to $10,000.
Shahasp Valentine
Among the jewelry designers to be represented are Sarah Graham, Nick Engel, Dave Guiletti, Thea Izzy, Kathleen Maley, Deborah Boskin, Rustee Pace, Amy Faust, Dan Macchiarini, Lisa Crowder, Carolyn Tille, Vanessa Millet and many more.
A ring from Sarah Graham Metalsmiths, one of the designers to be featured in the Rock & Rapture Gallery.
“It’s been my dream to have my own store since childhood. I’ve been in the jewelry business for 30 years, both at jewelry stores and jewelry companies but also with my own lines, the most notable of which was Precieux, The Modern Artifacts Collection, which earned Valentine both design awards and press accolades. She also served as director of design at Kathleen Dughi Jeweler, Mill Valley CA.
For information, contact Rock & Rapture, rockandrapture@gmail.com, 415 932-9950.