The Links That Join Us: Sam Robinson
Sam Robinson is the owner and c0-founder of the Cross in Holland Park – one of London’s very first lifestyle boutiques. The Cross celebrates all that is artisanal and crafted, passionate about pioneering talent, craft, and technique. A treasure trove to behold, The Cross prescribes a beautiful way of life. A handknitted cashmere jumper, a vintage rug, a handcrafted piece of jewellery – objects to be adored and cherished while championing sustainability. On the cross of Clarendon Cross and Portland Road, the Cross has been an iconic cornerstone of the neighbourhood for many years and today celebrates its 30th anniversary.
I met Pippa before we started the Cross thirty years ago. We were all starting out and used to collaborate in pop-up sales together. I bought a simple choker from Pippa at one of these sales, made from square pieces of shell linked together. I still have it; it must have been in my possession for over thirty-two years now. Vintage Pippa! I was completely in awe of her (I still am), magnificently tall and striking with incredibly curly hair and a huge smile. I had never seen jewellery like hers before. I can still remember my excitement.
It’s hard to say what the first piece of jewellery that had meaning to me was, as I have so many beloved Pippa pieces! They all have meaning and special memories attached, gifts from my husband to celebrate birthdays and the birth of our daughter. When I first met my husband, John, I bought him some Pippa lapis cufflinks and a smoky quartz carved bottle with a stopper; it still has a tiny love note to him from me inside it. I love the gold flower necklace John bought me for my 50th birthday; it has a ruby inside it, and the petals are articulated so you can open and close the floppy gold petals. It is completely enchanting.
Before I met John, my first wedding was in the year 2000; my wedding dress was designed by Christina Kim at Dosa, who had started collaborating with Pippa at that time. The Cross was selling Pippa’s work and Dosa’s beautiful clothes, so it only felt right to commission Pippa to create a hairpiece for my special day! Her piece was strands of tiny pearls and semi-precious stones that cascaded down the back of my neck. Just exquisite. The piece perfectly complemented the hand-dyed silk ruffles of the dress – pinks, corals, and pearly whites. Pippa’s headpiece lasted longer than my marriage; she took it back and had it restrung for me into a beautiful necklace as a gift. Ever thoughtful and generous – that is Pippa!
I have a large gold flower that I wear around my neck; it is strung on a gold cord and is an absolute magnet for compliments from friends and strangers. It makes me feel very happy and super special every time I wear it. Pippa’s jewellery makes me feel protected. More than just a piece of jewellery. Each piece has meaning, like amulets to keep me safe and happy. I love watching how Pippa wears her own jewellery, she is literally wrapped up in it! I am a little more minimal! I’ve been wearing Pippa Small jewellery for more than three decades now, and it is still a total honour, the thrill never dies!
My original partner/co-founder of the Cross, Sarah O’Keefe, introduced Pippa and me at one of our pop-up sales. The UK was coming out of a massive recession, and retail stores were nervous about taking on new designers. I remember a lot of black Prada garments and bags with silver triangles. Then came this fabulous explosion of talent, creativity, and most importantly, colour! We were Pippa’s first stockist and proud to be part of that explosion together. It was a brilliant and exciting time; London was particularly leading the way. London street style was very inspiring; we were all near Portobello market, which was a massive influence.
We started the Cross out of pure frustration. We were a group of designers, west London-based, finding it incredibly hard to find shops that would have the courage to sell our work. Sarah and I would pay designers weekly once we had reconciled the sales in a big ledger book – no computer! In that way, we didn’t have to pre-order/buy the stock, and so we could be more adventurous and bold in our choices of what we sold.
In the beginning, our businesses were tiny and very hand-to-mouth. Pippa would personally drop by to drop off her deliveries, or she would pass by with a bag of her jewels to discuss what we thought would work over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at Julie’s. Now we are both working mothers with very little spare time on our hands! I have an immense amount of respect for Pippa; she is constantly travelling the world to support communities of artisans in far-off places such as Colombia, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, and India, to name a few. I honestly do not comprehend how she does it all, and with such love, grace, passion, and style!
No day is ever the same at the Cross, never boring. Even after thirty years, I am constantly inspired by the truly talented and fascinating people that I work with. Designers such as Pippa, of course, but also the dream team of Cross girls and all my brilliant customers, customers that span many different decades of ages who love and respect what we do. It’s a dream job!
Website: https://thecrossshop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samthecross/