Founded during the goldrush in 1851 by Polish immigrants Simon and Isidore Kozminsky, Kozminsky quickly established a reputation for selling the finest antique jewellery, objets d’art, silver and furniture.
In 1969, employee Kurt Albrecht bought the business. His daughter, Kirsten, worked in the store from the age of twelve and took over the family business after the death of her father.
In 2017, after forty years of working in the business, Kirsten made the decision to close the store and sell the remaining stock at auction. For many, it represented the end of an era. Hundreds flocked to the auction, eager to acquire a piece of Melbourne history, and it became the most valuable single-owner jewellery auction ever held in Australia.
Following the closure of the business, Kirsten knew that there was still great possibility for the brand and the name and felt it was far too loved and respected to disappear forever.
Kirsten called on Dat, a former Kozminsky colleague, and together they created a concept that would successfully distil the essence of Kozminsky – the beauty, elegance and history of over 40 years as an emporium on Bourke Street – into a more refined offering. Influenced by international fashion houses and how people interact with and consume luxury today. Kozminsky Studio was born.
