As Alison Green said in an article on Porter Lyons “There is a certain magic that exists in New Orleans, a soft slow sweetness that is almost impossible to shake off, that curls its way around your limbs and keeps you coming back for more. It is a deeply textured city, overflowing with raw spirit, with secrets and stories around every corner, a dynamic mosaic of history and culture that vibrates at a different frequency than the rest of the world. It’s the kind of place that you can’t stop dreaming about, that feels feverishly pulled from your imagination: plants swallowing up entire sidewalks, leaves as big as your face, an old man on saxophone dancing into the crowd as he dips with the low notes, that smooth wide curl of brass, graceful and swiveling like the hips of a woman. New Orleans is a multi-faceted gem, a proud and resilient city that wears its heart on its sleeve.”
Nestled in the heart of the historic French Quarter is a small jewelry store called Porter Lyons that harnesses the magic of New Orleans mentioned above. When you walk in you’re greeted by a hand-carved wooden Ostridge carrying a jewelry box of treasures on her back. Dream catchers float on the walls, inspired by the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians, with crystals scattered about giving off a positive aura. Two wicker chairs hang at the front entrance in afternoon sunlight for passers-by to stop and smell the sage burning from within. Tucked away in the back of the store is a juice bar, with heart of pine wood slated in a diagonal fashion, all custom worked. Enter Ashley Porter, the designer & founder of Porter Lyons who built out the store to her exact vision.
Porter launched the brand in 2012, rooted in the principals of preserving culture through design. Each collection is filled with beautifully bold, visually arresting pieces that spotlight a distinct aspect of New Orleans, and Porter gives back to the city that inspires her, donating a portion of the proceeds to causes that benefit it. Her creations focus on the many elements – artistic, natural, and spiritual – that shape the city’s fascinating character and luminous appeal. The history of New Orleans is steeped in mysticism and spirituality, and Porters’ designs allude to this, channeling the surreal and unforgettable aspects, such as the hauntingly beautiful bayou and the traces of voodoo that can be found throughout the city. Porter draws inspiration from locally sourced materials like Alligator vertebrae, transforming unusual elements into statement pieces that are simultaneously ethereal and deeply rooted in nature.
Most recently, she’s begun working one-on-one with clients to bring their jewelry & interior dreams to life through her unique custom process. GIA certified, Porter works with clients’ heirloom stones to repurpose them into pieces her clients want to wear now with a nod to the past. She also works alongside ethical and sustainable merchants to find the best stones on the planet to incorporate in her custom process.
Her second store, launched in December of 2018, showcases her interior design talent. It’s called the Mirror House, and no surprise it’s a building with 360 mirror finishing all the way around, reflecting the architecture and culture around it. “Jewelry is such a personal expression—it truly reflects our identity,” Porter said. “I wanted my second store location to be an extension of my design work and to be an experience on its own. No building embodies the NOW and preserves the city around it, like the Mirror House.”
Conclusion:
Porter Lyons was voted one of the Coolest Stores by In Store Magazine. You can find a wide range of designs featuring crystals, diamonds, and gemstones in Fine or Fashion Jewelry. Check out the store when you’re in New Orleans or visit them online. https://porterlyons.com/collections/shop-all
