Brent Neale Winston celebrated the opening of her new Fifth Avenue salon on Tuesday evening with a cocktail gathering that drew a high-wattage crowd including Blake Lively, Kate Mara, June Ambrose, Stacey Bendet and Veronica Swanson Beard — a fitting guest list for a brand whose colorful, joyfully irreverent jewels have become favorites among the fashion crowd and collectors looking for fine jewelry that feels expressive.
“For years I have dreamed of having a space that could bring the brand to life in a real, tangible way,” Neale Winston said.
Kate Mara at the Brent Neale opening.
Rommel Demano/BFA.com
Located inside the historic Astor Trust Building, the 7,000-square-foot space marks a new chapter for the Brent Neale brand, which Neale Winston launched in 2017 after previously serving as jewelry director at Kara Ross. Her pieces — often crafted with vibrant gemstones, whimsical motifs and sculptural gold settings — pull from fairytales, art and the psychedelic spirit of the ’60s and ’70s, while still being produced by hand in Manhattan’s Diamond District.
Designed by the designer’s sister, Ramsey Lyons, the salon leans into a more residential, appointment-driven approach to jewelry retail. Airy white gallery-like rooms are softened with vintage furnishings, oversized mirrors, Murano lighting and sculptural floral arrangements, while intimate lounge areas and thoughtfully styled tables stacked with art books give the space the feel of a cool downtown apartment.
June Ambrose at Brent Neale’s opening.
Rommel Demano/BFA.com
Guests previewed signature collections alongside the new offering while snacking on playful passed bites including Kaluga caviar-topped tater tots, lobster tarts and miniature grilled cheeses, while a female string trio performed. Florals by Jannan Studios’ Samer Jannan and Lawrence Van den Keybus added another layer of softness and color to the evening’s residential atmosphere.
“Every element was designed with that in mind. When someone sits down here, it stops feeling like a showroom and starts feeling more like my home. That ease is everything, and it is exactly where our best custom work comes from,” she said.
