The New Top Instagram page, once boasting thousands of followers, including many influential creatives, is now deactivated—gone without a trace. The reason for its closure is still unknown, but in statement released exclusively to Vogue, Shuai wanted to give special thanks her devoted shoppers over the years. “I am very grateful for your support and friendship every day I work,” she wrote via a third party. “I will always remember your sunny smiles!”
While the news of New Top closing is still spreading, many fashion fans are already mourning the loss. And understandably so: There are few shops like it left in the city. For one, you did not need a fortune to shop its assortment of gold goods; the shop was popular for its competitive price points. (Nearby, Popular Jewelry on Canal Street is another celebrity favorite, though decidedly pricier.) New Top was also one of the larger and more sceney jewelry shops in the city: You went there not only to shop, but to see who was shopping.
When Vogue reached out to fashion insiders to share their favorite memories of the store, we were delighted to hear so many great encounters and memorable encounters that took place amid its treasure trove of gold jewelry over the years. Read on for special homages to New Top. This is truly the end of an era.
Liana Satenstein, writer and creator of NeverWorns
“I loved it because you could get something as small as a pinky ring, or something as big as a gold chain with a massive charm. It eventually became the place where, when someone left Vogue, they’d get a piece of jewelry engraved [as their going-away gift].”
Kim Shui, designer
“We had Jane walk in one of my first shows. Almost all of my gold jewelry is from there. New Top was great because she knew what you were looking for and she always made suggestions that worked. If you asked for custom lettering, she was able to translate what you wanted.”
Sally Singer, president, Art + Commerce
I loved New Top, and especially Jane, who liked to brag about her studious and artistically talented daughter while pulling fifty or more charms from the display for me to hem and haw over. New Top was my go-to place for talismanic, personalized baubles—my idea of 14-karat heaven. The selection was vast, the prices fair, and the scene incredible. One of the last true bastions of downtown cool.