Canal Place welcomes artisanal jewelry brand King Baby for its Louisiana debut

Written By Alicia Vial

Acclaimed rock’n’roll inspired jeweler to open its first Gulf South boutique Saturday, Sept. 12, featuring Louisiana-inspired collections

NEW ORLEANS — Canal Place announced today the upcoming arrival of King Baby, the celebrated artisan jewelry label known for its distinct blend of rock’n’roll edge and uncompromising craftsmanship, marking the brand’s very first location in Louisiana. The boutique is set to open Saturday, Sept. 12 with a grand opening celebration that evening.

For King Baby, expanding to New Orleans is a deeply personal homecoming. Founder and designer Mitchell Binder grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, frequently visiting family in the New Orleans area—including relatives who operated a local neighborhood deli starting in 1961. That deep-rooted connection heavily influences the brand's aesthetic, yielding exclusive designs and collections unique to the New Orleans market, including specialty Fleur-de-lis and southern-inspired pieces.

“Coming to New Orleans feels like a true homecoming for our family roots, given my dad’s history traveling back and forth between Jackson and the New Orleans area for decades,” said Ben Binder, Brand Director. “The city shares our love for soul, history and a little bit of edge. We’ve designed exclusive pieces specifically for this market, and we couldn't be more excited to open our doors at Canal Place for the chosen few who appreciate true artisan work.”

Situated on the second level directly above Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., the striking circular boutique features custom-built artisan cabinetry designed to mirror the brand’s bespoke aesthetic. It is a natural fit for Canal Place, which stands apart from traditional retail environments by offering a curated, experiential destination of exclusive brands, luxury dining and entertainment infused with an elevated New Orleans flair.

King Baby will host a grand opening celebration Saturday, Sept. 12 from 5-9 p.m. featuring live music by local blues group the Wolfe Johns Band, champagne and curated bites from Brasa South American Steakhouse. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information visit www.canalplacesytle.com.  

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About Canal Place:Situated at the edge of the historic French Quarter, Canal Place is the region’s premier destination for luxury shopping. Home to an elite collection of world-class designer boutiques and iconic international brands—many exclusive to Louisiana and the Gulf South—the center offers a bespoke, curated experience for discerning shoppers. Connected to The Westin New Orleans and featuring premier dining, a luxury cinema and convenient covered parking, Canal Place blends effortless sophistication with the vibrant culture of the New Orleans. For more information, visit www.canalplacestyle.com.

About O’Connor Capital Partners:
Founded in 1983, O’Connor Capital Partners  is an institutional real estate investment, management, and development firm based in New York City and run by President and CEO, William Q. O’Connor. The firm pursues acquisitions, developments and conversions on behalf of its institutional funds, separate accounts, and own account. O’Connor primarily targets retail and residential opportunities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Since inception, O’Connor has acquired or developed over $30 billion of property, including over 55 million square feet of retail space and over 30,000 residential units globally.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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