Kick Pleat is a style maven’s paradise: ample parking, great location, stunning boutique, and contemporary brands that invite you to layer and mix for day-to-evening looks, and accessorize with bags, belts, shoes, and jewelry. Birthed in Austin by Wendy Koletar Martin, Dallas marks the brand’s third location. In addition to the comely open interiors, and joining brands such as Alémais, Dǔsan, Co, and Proenza Schouler, the debut of Marla Aaron’s inaugural U.S. shop-in-shop, brings the designer’s iconic NYC sensibility and signature lock jewels directly to Texas.
Renowned for transforming everyday objects into functional works of art, Marla Aaron Jewelry is known for its maximalist approach. The brand first caught the public’s eye with its reimagined utilitarian carabiner lock. Today, Marla Aaron’s creations, ranging from rings and bracelets to convertible earrings and charms, embody the philosophy that “jewelry’s only job is to bring joy to as many people as possible.”
The newly opened Kick Pleat store, located on West Lovers Lane and designed by Chioco, an Austin design firm, offers visitors the immersive experience Kick Pleat is known for in its Austin and Houston boutiques. Marla Aaron’s dedicated space features an expanded edit of jewelry and beautiful objects, all artfully displayed on the designer’s signature jewelry cart akin to a large standalone jewelry box. Large sculptural display locks exemplify both the varied locks in the line and the clever mechanisms that invite you to play, transform, and build upon. Aaron’s chains are equally fabulous including the Heavy Curb Chain, Biker Chain, and Square Link Chain.
In a nod to its new Texan home, the shop-in-shop offers an exclusive Texas Lock—a unique piece hand-engraved with bluebonnets, reflective of the Lone Star State. Complementing this exquisite piece is a striking, site-specific sculpture: a natural stone carving of a lock created especially for Kick Pleat, underscoring the harmonious blend of art, design, and local heritage.
The collaboration between Marla Aaron and Kick Pleat not only reinforces the brand’s commitment to innovative design but also presents a curated retail experiences for Dallas.