Lisa Gozlan’s journey from online exclusivity to opening a fifth brick-and-mortar location, this time at Toronto’s iconic Yorkdale Shopping Centre, marks an exciting milestone for the brand.
What started as a digital-first elevated jewelry brand with a cult following is now turning into a full-fledged retail phenomenon. In this exclusive interview with HOLR Magazine, we’re chatting with founder Lisa Gozlan as she reflects on the milestones that have shaped her path, the power of joyful design, and what’s next as she continues to bring her signature sparkle to cities across the globe. With the grand opening of her fifth store at Yorkdale, Lisa is proving that community-driven, emotionally resonant design can thrive both online and IRL.
What does the opening of your fifth location at Yorkdale represent for the brand’s evolution from digital-first to physical retail?
Opening our fifth location at Yorkdale is a huge milestone in our journey from digital-first to physical retail. While we started online, growing into a space where people can experience the brand in person allows us to deepen that connection with our community. It’s about more than just selling jewelry – it’s creating an environment where customers can try pieces on, see them layered in real life, and feel the energy of Lisa Gozlan firsthand. This expansion shows that our digital foundation gave us the flexibility and insights to thrive in brick-and-mortar retail, and it’s exciting to see our community embracing us both online and in-store.
Your pieces—especially the iconic smiley-face designs—have built a cult following. What do you think makes them resonate so deeply with your community?
Our pieces resonate because they’re fun, feminine, and effortlessly cool – jewelry people genuinely want to wear every day. They aren’t your typical, predictable designs; each piece brings something special to a stack or outfit. But beyond style, it’s about the sense of belonging they create. When someone puts on a smiley-face bracelet, they’re instantly part of something bigger – a community that feels joyful, connected, and seen. That emotional connection has been powerful, and while our Toronto community has led the way, we’re excited to keep building that feeling across Canada, the U.S., and beyond.
The exciting new City Bracelets Collection was recently announced. What inspired it, and how does it reflect where the brand is creatively right now?
The City Bracelets are such a special collection for us. To celebrate our six-year anniversary, we created six bracelets inspired by six cities that represent where we’ve been, where our community has roots, and where we aspire to grow. Each design captures the spirit of its city while still being true to our brand DNA – playful, stackable, and meaningful. It reflects where we are creatively because we’re leaning into storytelling through jewelry – making pieces that connect people not just to fashion, but to places and memories that matter to them.
How do you balance playful, trend-driven collections with the timeless, stackable appeal the brand is known for?
For us, it’s all about balance. We want to design pieces that feel exciting and current, but also timeless enough to live in your jewelry box for years. Even our more playful or trend-inspired designs are created with stackability in mind. Our customers love to layer and mix pieces to tell their own story, so everything we create has to be versatile enough to be worn in different ways, while still feeling like a signature Lisa Gozlan piece.
Social media and community have played a huge role in your brand’s growth. How have your customers influenced both product and expansion?
Our community has shaped nearly everything we do. Social media has given us this amazing direct line to our customers – we’re constantly listening to their feedback, answering their questions, and learning what excites them. Many of our launches and even our store expansions have been influenced by what our community tells us they want. That constant dialogue keeps us inspired, grounded, and evolving in the right direction. At the end of the day, they’re not just customers; they’re co-creators in this journey with us.
What challenges or lessons have shaped you most as a female founder building one of Canada’s most in-demand jewelry brands?
Every step, challenge, and success has profoundly shaped both the brand and my journey as a founder. Adapting to the constant evolution in e-commerce and retail has been a continuous learning experience. Fostering a supportive and passionate team has been crucial, as their dedication and creativity are truly the backbone of Lisa Gozlan. Prioritizing connection with our community and customers has also been essential, as our early success was built on those personal relationships. Listening to their feedback has not only influenced product development but has also reinforced the emotional connection people have with our brand. Their loyalty and enthusiasm truly drive us forward.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Lisa Gozlan?
There’s so much we’re excited about. We recently launched at Selfridges in the UK, which was a huge milestone for us, and we’ve just introduced our City Collection, which will continue to roll out with stories that celebrate places meaningful to our brand and community. We’re also in the midst of a full brand refresh – from our new Yorkdale store to our updated logo – which marks the start of a new era for us. And without giving too much away, we’ve got a few very exciting surprises in the pipeline. It really feels like we’re just getting started.
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Published by HOLR Magazine