INTERVIEW: Jewelry Designer Jade Lustig Talks The Jade Trau Southampton Flagship Launch, What Pieces Every Woman Should Own, And More

Jewelry designer Jade Lustig is bringing her exquisite designs to the Hamptons this summer with the debut of the Jade Trau Southampton Flagship Store, which will open on Friday, May 28. The East End outpost will feature Jade Trau’s signature collections, as well as on-site restyling and bespoke consultations – and host a myriad of fun events like piercing parties and engraving.

We caught up with Lustig to learn more about her brand’s first retail space, inspiration, breathing new life into outdated pieces, and much more.

Why did you select Southampton for your first store?

JT: Honestly, after the year we’ve had I decided that life is too short to wait and opening a store in the Hamptons has been on my bucket list since shortly after I started my brand. I’m really pumped to have the opportunity to stay local this summer but also be working and interacting with my friends and clients all day. I think this summer is going to feel like we are all getting a bit of freedom from the stress of this pandemic.

What can shoppers expect at the location?

JT: Diamonds and gold and oodles of yummy chains and piercing parties and endless chatting about all things diamonds. We also love to work on custom projects and epic restyles from unworn diamond pieces.

Your pieces are stunning. Where do you draw inspiration from?

JT: I have two sides to my design inspiration. One part is my constant pursuit for the new diamond classic, which is how I like to categorize my collection. After years of being a diamond buyer and making ‘generic’ diamond jewelry for friends and family, I wanted to find a way to create diamond classics that are not seasonal or ephemeral in their style, but still have a stylized point of view. The other side of my collection comes from my love of vintage jewelry, which I think comes through in many of my pieces. I collect old chains and watch fobs, keys and interesting clasps then I use them as a jumping off point for something contemporary and wearable.

How would you define your style?

JT: Casual luxe, I guess…I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl for the most part, with lots of jewelry layered on top of it. I definitely lean more monochromatic in my color palette, which is also probably why I stick to exclusively natural diamonds in the collection. I will say that I’m a sucker for a good red lipstick though and I really miss not having to strategize my lipstick/mask wearing.

What are a few pieces of jewelry every woman should own?

JT: Some version of an earrings with diamond in it…even if it’s the smallest hint of diamond. By nature, a well cut diamond is cut for maximum brilliance and scintillation so when you wear them near your face, they literally make your face sparkle. So that’s the non-negotiable in my opinion.

A few Jade Trau pieces. (Courtesy Photo)

A classic diamond necklace of some sort is the second must have, whether it’s one of our Penelope solitaires or an alchemy riviera that makes you feel good even on the worst hair days.

A gold chain necklace or bracelet…whatever you prefer, and last but not least, a pinky ring. It can be a signet ring or a simple diamond stacking band, but I think that’s the fine jewelry ‘starter pack.’

What will the summer bring in terms of programming and special events?

JT: First and foremost, we will be piercing in collaboration with our amazing piercer, Soulthunder – so definitely make sure to book appointments because they are already booking out for Memorial Day weekend. We will also be having a custom engraving event mid summer, which I’m really looking forward to because I love watching that machine at work. Other programming is in the works as well.

Tell us a little bit about Jade Trau’s on-site restyling service.

JT: Restyling has been part of my brand ethos from the very beginning of my business. I hate the idea of a piece of valuable or sentimental jewelry fossilizing in your jewelry box because it doesn’t feel authentic to your personal style and since so much of our collection is a riff on the classics, it’s easy to take our core pieces and use them as a template for a conversation starter. That said, I also feel like the diamond talks to you a little and naturally tells you where it belongs. Just like we dress to flatter our best features, I design around the diamond to highlight the best of its natural beauty.

What are you most looking forward to about spending this summer in the Hamptons?

JT: Sunsets, early morning walks on the beach and lots of time spent with friends in the store and out of the store. I actually can’t believe that I’m going to be spending a whole summer playing with jewelry in Southampton and I get to call it ‘working.’

Is there anything else you would like to add?

JT: We totally recognize that people’s comfort levels are still varied for in person shopping, so private appointments can certainly be scheduled upon request. At the same time, I hope people will feel casual and comfortable coming into the store, even if you just rolled off the beach or on your walk down the street from Carvel.

Jade Trau is located at 46 Jobs Lane in Southampton. For more information, visit jadetrau.com.