Yoko London: Inside the New Sloane Street Flagship Store

September 26, 2022

By Katerina Perez

6 min read

I left London, but London hasn’t left me! When an opportunity arises to visit the UK capital, I am there! So, on the last day of August, I attended the opening of Yoko London’s new flagship boutique, housed in a grand 19th-century building on Sloane Street. The British pearl jeweller has curated an expansive space for its core collections and High Jewellery creations, plus private areas for VIP clients seeking something special. Let me take you inside the new store and share my impressions of this Yoko London destination…

When the Hakimian family get in touch and ask you to be one of the first visitors to their brand’s new London flagship boutique, you get on a plane (or the Eurostar, in my case)! So it was a pleasure to be invited to witness the latest jewel in Yoko London’s pearl crown, located on Sloane Street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It’s a fantastic location on a popular shopping street that links Sloane Square and the King’s Road to Knightsbridge, where you’ll find Harrods department store.

A closer look at the interior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on London's Sloane Street

A closer look at the interior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on London's Sloane Street

 Katerina Perez at the Yoko London flagship boutique

Katerina Perez at the Yoko London flagship boutique

The boutique is situated in a building from the 1890s, which adds to the grandeur of the façade and elevates the sense of luxury. Once you step inside, there are more than 4,000 square feet of space, including an upper floor, making Yoko London’s flagship one of the largest pearl jewellery stores in the world.

Katerina Perez with Michael Hakimian of Yoko London at the brand's new flagship boutique

Katerina Perez with Michael Hakimian of Yoko London at the brand's new flagship boutique

And this is quite an achievement considering the brand’s relative youthfulness in the world of High Jewellery. It was founded in 1973 by Michael Hakimian, and 49 years later, it remains a family business with three generations contributing to its success. I got to meet all of them at the event; it was a true family soirée with several of their best clients celebrating the new boutique… plus, Michael’s youngest daughter’s birthday was on the same day!

The interior and exterior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street

The interior and exterior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street

If you didn’t know yet, the Yoko London team works with 13 different pearl farms around the globe to source and select the finest and most unusual pearls on the market. They’re particularly interested in rare colours and exceptional sizes, which is why some of its pieces can take months, if not years, to come to fruition. Matching sets, like earrings and graduated pearl necklaces, can take many years to complete if a nuanced shade or striking size is chosen in a design’s early stages.

 Japanese Akoya pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Raindrop Collection

Japanese Akoya pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Raindrop Collection

 South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Tassel Collection

South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Tassel Collection

 Japanese Akoya pearl and diamond ring from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

Japanese Akoya pearl and diamond ring from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

 Pink Freshwater pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Eclipse Collection

Pink Freshwater pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Eclipse Collection

 South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

 South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

 Akoya pearl and diamond ring from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

Akoya pearl and diamond ring from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

 South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

South Sea pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

 Akoya pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Eclipse Collection

Akoya pearl and diamond earrings from the Yoko London Eclipse Collection

Fortunately, you can now see the results of the meticulous work and patience in the new flagship store! There was a significant pink pearl strand, a spectacular necklace with three strands of graduating golden pearls, a few designs with Tahitian pearls and, of course, a wealth of spectacular white South Sea pearls on display. There are areas dedicated to the brand’s core collections and masterpieces and VIP areas on different levels that can offer more privacy for bespoke commissions or significant purchases. There were several new masterpieces on display lavishly embellished with diamonds; two of them were chokers with removable pearls. These transformable designs were conceived when loyal clients expressed the desire to have more diamond jewellery in their collections, and removable pearls allow them versatility in how they wear their jewellery.

One of a kind South Sea pearl and diamond masterpiece from the brand new Yoko London Empress Collection. The pearls on this piece are removable

One of a kind South Sea pearl and diamond masterpiece from the brand new Yoko London Empress Collection. The pearls on this piece are removable

During my visit, I was especially impressed with the “contemporary opulence” of the interior, which is how Yoko London describes the store’s aesthetic. It’s sleek, streamlined and modern, but with lots of gold accents that make the space feel warm and inviting. I especially like the entranceway and the short flight of stairs that almost feels like you’re leaving London and entering another world where pearls are the order of the day, every day!

One of a kind ‘Waterfall’ necklace from the Yoko London High Jewellery Collection, featuring Akoya pearls and diamonds

One of a kind ‘Waterfall’ necklace from the Yoko London High Jewellery Collection, featuring Akoya pearls and diamonds

South Sea pearl and diamond ‘Goddess’ necklace from the Yoko London High Jewellery Collection

South Sea pearl and diamond ‘Goddess’ necklace from the Yoko London High Jewellery Collection

Plunging South Sea pearl and diamond necklace from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

Plunging South Sea pearl and diamond necklace from the Yoko London Starlight Collection

And speaking of bespoke commissions, the new flagship will serve as a “pearl atelier,” where the brand’s experts will liaise with clients on one-of-a-kind pieces. In these moments, customers can browse Yoko London’s inventory of loose pearls and strands to turn their idea for the ultimate pearl jewel into a reality. I can only imagine how appreciated this would be by a true pearl connoisseur, especially someone whose tastes align with Yoko London’s contemporary style.

Katerina Perez showcases a Yoko London high jewellery necklace with pearls and diamonds

Katerina Perez showcases a Yoko London high jewellery necklace with pearls and diamonds

If you want to step into a world where pearls are given their chance to shine, start on Sloane Street. Yoko London’s flagship has all the drama you’d expect from a thriving contemporary jewellery brand, and rumour has it more is to come. Although I can’t confirm anything here, my conversations with the Hakimian family during my visit suggest collaborations and trunk shows could be on the card in the future. I will be following the journey closely.

The interior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street in London

The interior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street in London

The new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The interior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge

The interior of the new Yoko London flagship boutique on Sloane Street between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge

The Yoko London flagship store is located at 6 Sloane Street, SW1X 9LF, and will be open from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday and 12 pm to 6 pm on Sunday. You can also follow Yoko London on Instagram @yokolondonpearls

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