Foreshadowing its reception in Australia and New Zealand, the German brand is said to have already experienced success in more than 30 countries and was recently named Jewellery Brand of the Year at trade publication Retail Jeweller’s 2014 UK Watch and Jewellery Awards.
While it could be perceived that the local market was already saturated with European brands, Timesupply managing director Ken Abbott told Jeweller that he believed there was room for Coeur de Lion, adding that he had already started placing orders.
“It’s interesting how many [local] retailers already know the brand,” he remarked. “There is nothing like it that we know of in our market.”
Coeur de Lion jewellery combines stainless steel, rhodium-plated silver, anodised aluminium, Swarovski elements, haematite and a variety of other stones and materials to create a range of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings.
Abbott first discovered the brand while in Europe last year, and following six months of negotiations, a distribution agreement was finalised at BaselWorld in April 2014.
Abbott said that what impressed him most about the brand was its uniqueness.
“We distribute brands that we love – brands that offer outstanding design elements, quality, appeal and value – so Coeur de Lion fits in perfectly with our other lines.” Timesupply also distributes Guy Laroche designer jewellery, Zinzi Silver Jewels, Danish Design, Vostok-Europe and Jacob Jensen watches.
Although Coeur de Lion jewellery is currently available to retailers, the brand will be officially launched at the Sydney jewellery fair at the end of August.
Founded in 1987 by Carola Eckrodt and Nils Eckrodt, Coeur de Lion is based in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs about 90 people to hand-make each piece of jewellery.
The collection
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