Tiffany Adler is busy. Following the closing of Adler’s, her family’s hallowed landmark store, she is soldiering on with creative pursuits of her own. Drawing on the legacy, skills and passion she cultivated over years in the family business, she’s primed to forge new artistic ground. She has no designs on recreating Adler’s, but she does plan to keep helping people experience joy through the acquisition of beautiful things.
The first of her three new pursuits is Adler Heritage. This Adler’s derivative, a web only store, offers the erstwhile Adler’s cult favorites like, gumbo bowls and Tabasco holders. Forget the gift registry and ready to wear jewelry from the old brick and mortar shop. This iteration is pared down to the essentials; the original products and designs customers return for year after year. In conversation with Adler she noted, “We will start off with a small number of items but, reintroduce additional archived designs as we get settled and figure out the inventory needs.”
Her next beauty-adjacent venture is the recently launched, T.Adler. This brand is for custom projects, a labor of love that focuses on creating commemorative pieces. Her current customers include various businesses, non-profits, and Mardi Gras krewes. For example, she recently crafted the 2026 Mayoral Key to the City for Helena Moreno and the pin for the 30th New Orleans International Piano Competition Medal Series. Adler said, “You know, New Orleans needs a pin for everything. We are pin crazy.”
Still, she insists that a T.Adler piece can be commissioned for just about any occasion. The process itself recalls her years spent at Adler’s, beautifully traditional in its rituals but entirely personal. Unfamiliar with the process, I asked for a little insight. She said, “Each customer will meet in person for a thorough design consultation. It’s important to come and see our past work and get a feel for the studio.” Once the design is narrowed down from three, Janet Ruffino, a stalwart employee of Adler’s for 40 years, will bring it life with a handmade watercolor illustration.
As for the future of T. Adler, she said she’s focused on what’s on her plate now; making her bread-and-butter customers happy. She relayed, “I need to maintain a quality product before I move on to anything new.” But truth be told, she has ideas. And when I broached the idea of creating her own jewelry line, she scoffed but she didn’t say never.
Finally, her third new business venture, Needles and Pins (a working title), takes a slight turn. Expected to open in November, the needlepoint boutique will offer items like fibers, tools, and canvases and also host trunk shows, special events, and programming led by world-class instructors. She aspires to create a luxurious atmosphere and interactive experiences. She envisions customers and friends needlepointing in the cozy chairs of her shop or drinking a glass of wine in the atrium of The Rink, where the shop will be located.
While it may seem to some a new passion, Adler has been an avid needle pointer for years. Her love affair with the craft began when she was around 8 years old, watching her mother masterfully create clothes, beanies and pillows for friends and family. Busy with life, she’d lost the spark for a time, but an old friend helped reignite the fire.
Through the process of reconnecting, she’s reflected on how incredibly calming the work feels in a world full of chaos. “It’s a great activity to keep from doom scrolling,” she laughed. She added,
“People need happy right now.” Whether buying a gumbo bowl that your mom used to use from Adler Heritage or creating a custom pin for your walking krewe with T. Adler or even learning a new needlepoint technique, it all in some way inspires joy. Commemorating special moments, nurturing hobbies that keep your mind at ease is what she’s all about.
Sale & Event Picks:
Oct. 3 (5-9 p.m.): Art for Arts’ Sake, #300–600 Julia Street + surrounding area
Oct. 8-9: Susan Bender Trunk Show, SoSusu
Oct. 9 (12-5 p.m.): SOUTHERN RUETZ Trunk Show, SoSusu
