Over a Century and Four Generations of Jewellery Expertise

Allison Quaid continues a jewellery legacy that has spanned four generations and more than a century. This lineage traces back to 1921, when William B. and Benjamin Ogush established Katz and Ogush in New York City. Originally located in a townhouse a block off of Central Park, the company quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Within two years, it grew from a capitalisation of less than $5,000 to become the largest manufacturer of platinum jewellery in America.

By the 1930s, Katz and Ogush had expanded its reach, operating in New York, Paris, and Amsterdam. Their pieces were sought after by fine jewellery connoisseurs from around the world. Katz and Ogush also manufactured the watch cases for luxury watch brand Blancpain. In fact, they were the largest manufacturer of platinum, gold, and diamond watch cases in the United States before being acquired by Gruen Watch Co. of Cincinnati in 1951.

In 1964, Ira M. Ogush, William’s nephew, established Ira M. Ogush Limited, specialising in gold fine jewellery. During its storied history, the company introduced many novel pieces, including faceted bangle bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces. These, alongside animal pins, were sold in premier jewellery retailers across the country, including Neiman Marcus. Ira was a respected member of the industry and served as the president of the Chicago Jewellers’ Association during the 1980s.

Ira’s daughter, Allison Ogush Childers, graduated from Northwestern University. She worked in the fashion and finance industries before joining her father at Ira M. Ogush Limited. Allison’s experience, discernment, and entrepreneurial spirit have been invaluable in building and sustaining the family’s legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. Today, she leads Allison Quaid, the latest iteration of the family's century-long heritage in the world of high jewellery.

Quaid Childers represents the fourth generation of the family's jewellery legacy. He is an art collector and devoted arts patron whose philanthropic activities have benefitted numerous institutions, including the Frick Collection, the Wallace Collection, Art Fund, and the Serpentine Galleries. He is currently the Chair of the Burning Mirror Foundation, a trustee of the Visual Arts Society of the Reform Club, and a member of the Artist Selection Committee of the ShaXi Artist Residency. Quaid studied art history at the University of Cambridge and draws on diverse inspirations from art and nature to bring a simultaneously contemporary and historic vision to the brand.

The family’s esteemed legacy in the jewellery industry has been built on a dedication to unmatched craftsmanship, a passion for the arts, and a vision for creating jewellery that transcends time and trends. The house continues to honour this legacy today with every piece that bears the name Allison Quaid.