Apothecary, Accessories, Art
By Clementina Verge
Photographs by Ryan Lavine
Showcasing handcrafted, unique items connecting artists with the local community, Peggy Mercury is the kind of store where you’ll find something to change your appearance, mood, and perhaps even your perception.
Recently opened in Kent Barns, Peggy Mercury was founded by James Boehmer, an acclaimed makeup artist and former global artistic director for Shiseido, and Greg Fricke, a scout for some of the most renowned modeling agencies in the world.
Connecticut residents since 2021, the former New Yorkers had planned to tap into Litchfield County’s artistic legacy and “respectfully occupy a space” that gives community members a place to “challenge, elevate, and grow.”
Thus Peggy Mercury was born. Part gallery, part retail, it fuses art and practicality, offering imaginative makeuap and accessories.
“We want this to be a playground of seeking and discovery, a safety net for trying beautiful, provoking things,” notes Fricke.
Boehmer agrees. “Makeup and accessories are inclusive, fun tools for self-discovery and escaping the mundane. Above all, they’re temporary, so why not try something new? The worst that can happen is that you don’t like it and you wash it off. But what if you do?” he asks. “Our mission is to question traditional definitions of beauty, and allow individuals to create their own.”
There’s plenty to experiment with at Peggy Mercury, where red lacquer shelves display “high-performance products designed to lift, firm, and radiate from the inside out.”
Among them are essentials from Jillian Dempsey, one of Hollywood’s most trusted makeup artists; The Beauty Sandwich by Iván Pol—a wait-list only “secret sauce” that “sculpts the most beautiful faces in the world”; vibrant and eco-friendly makeup by Neen, and AMAZONICOIL, a face serum by Marco Castro that reduces signs of aging and acne scars while enhancing glow.
Beyond the beauty products, you’ll find candles by The Maker Hotel; art by @cigarettesandkale; ceramics from Karen Levinson; artisanal leather goods by Brooklyn-based designer Adam Wade Wagner; Unravelled by Peggy Mercury crocheted totes and bags in candy colors; and innovative handbags by Puppets and Puppets.
Later this year, the store will launch a knitwear line from the UK called Hades Wool, “giving a subversive edge to lambswool basics like cardigans and sweaters,” and a new line from makeup artist Quinn Murphy called SPATCH SKIN—an innovative powder concealer formulated for longwear on Quinn’s red carpet clients.
The shop will also host an exhibition with artist February James and offer custom holiday ornaments. Ultimately, every meticulously selected brand merges art with fashion, which is Peggy Mercury’s mission.
The store is partially inspired by Peggy Guggenheim, the art collector and socialite who exuded luxury and extravagance.
Mutual admiration for her initially ignited Boehmer’s and Fricke’s personal relationship,
but her impact on their creative and professional lives cannot be denied. In a not-so-subtle nod to her influence, a 6-foot replica of Guggeinheim’s signature butterfly sunglasses welcomes patrons into Peggy Mercury.
“Peggy is a love letter to the institutions and references that permitted us to dream unapologetically,” reflects Fricke. “It’s a home for those who question their worth in a world that never tries to understand them, for those who have struggled, disguised, or made themselves smaller to find a seat at the table.”—peggymercury.com
