LONDON – John Ayton and Annoushka Ducas are breaking their bond with Links of London.
The company said in a statement Monday that Ayton and Ducas, the husband-and-wife team that founded the London-based jeweler in 1990, would step down next month.
Ayton currently serves as chairman, and Ducas is creative director of the $100 million company, which boasts 58 standalone stores worldwide and wholesale accounts including Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
The company is best known for its cuff links, charms, gold and silver designs. For fall, Links is launching a fine watch collection for women and men. The collection bows this month at Links of London stores.
In July 2006 Ayton and Ducas sold 100 percent of Links to the Greek fashion jewelry company Folli Follie for $84 million. At the time, Ayton said their main reason for selling was to roll out stores rapidly, especially in North America.
In a statement Monday, Ayton said: “Annoushka and I will be very sad to leave it’s been an amazing journey working with some very talented and fun people. We are very grateful for all the support we’ve had in the industry that we love.”
The statement added that Ayton and Ducas ‘expect to remain within the industry but have no immediate plans.” The two were traveling at press time and could not be reached for further comment.