A Sydney-based ethical jewellery brand that has sold more than 100,000 pieces in the past three years alone has revealed it has partnered with US luxury department store chain Bloomingdale’s.
Jackie Mack Designs was established in 2018 by owner and creative director Jackie Damelian, who told SmartCompany she was driven by a dual passion: a love for distinctive, beautiful jewellery, and a commitment to an ethical, responsible future.
“From the beginning, our vision was to redefine what accessible, quality jewellery means in today’s market,” she explains.
“I aimed to create pieces that aren’t just wearable art but also express individuality and a conscious lifestyle.
“Our brand is dedicated to crafting luxury jewellery that is both timeless and versatile — designed for everyone from Hollywood A-listers to everyday fashion lovers.”
Two years after Damelian first initiated contact with Bloomingdale’s and after many months of discussions, sharing brand updates and new collections, a curated selection of the fashion jewellery brand’s pieces and latest collections were chosen by the US retailer.
“(In) mid-2023, Bloomingdales expressed their readiness to welcome Jackie Mack Designs into their brand portfolio,” Damelian told SmartCompany.
Jackie Mack Designs employs seven employees and contractors, and the brand is available through 15 Australian stockists, including The Iconic.
And it is flourishing overseas, with 60 international stockists in major markets including the US, Canada, Japan, the Gulf region and New Zealand.
Over the last three years, the brand has achieved revenue growth of 300% annually.
This traction is the result of a deliberate global expansion plan, which Damelian says involved the team having “diligently pursued opportunities to showcase our jewellery range to major department stores and foster relationships with their buying teams”.
This involved “understanding their buying needs and their existing retail strategy, as well as seeking opportunities to collaborate on special projects”.
To now be launching at Bloomingdale’s marks a significant moment for Jackie Mack Designs, says Damelian.
“It allows us to introduce our Australian-born, ethically crafted jewellery to a broader audience in one of the premier retail environments in the United States,” she says.
“We want to continue building relationships with US retailers like Bloomingdale’s, who are aligning their strategies with the evolving consumer preferences for brands to prioritise ethical production.”
As an emerging brand in the US, Damelian says she recognises the brand has many milestones yet to achieve.
“However, I am encouraged by the number of retailers now reevaluating their partnerships and prioritising brands like Jackie Mack Designs, who come in redefining accessible, quality jewellery,” she says.
“It’s incredibly exciting and humbling that our Australian-born brand will now be part of the diverse portfolio of brands at one of America’s most iconic retailers.”
On its website, Jackie Mack Designs counts Bella Hadid, Rita Ora, Devon Windsor, Whitney Port, Negin Mirsaheli, Carmella Rose, and Joy Corrigan among the fashion icons who have adored the brand’s jewellery.
Motivated by the strong global interest in its products seen through online store sales, the brand ventured into international markets three years ago.
In the first year, Jackie Mack Designs expanded into more than 30 boutiques.
There are no plans to slow down now, says Damelian.
“We’ve established a growing presence in the Gulf region through our partnership with retailer Namshi, and are now looking at expanding into Europe, although the US remains our main focus,” she says.
The brand’s decision to target overseas markets is strategic, says the founder.
“Australia, while vibrant, offers limited growth opportunities due to its market size,” she says.
“In contrast, markets like the US not only move faster but are also more open to creative deal-making and present broader opportunities.
“I would like to have a more significant presence in Australia, but found that retail business practices in Australia are less progressive.”
That being said, Damelian says the brand certainly has plans to continue expanding its footprint in Australia, too.
“However, we are closely monitoring the economic climate and the recovery of the retail sector, which will influence the timing of our growth initiatives,” she says.
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