There's A Love-fest Happening With The Bergdorf Goodman Client and Estate Jewelry
 
Why Now? That was the question asked by Robb Report in their June, Best of the Best issue on Paul Fisher Estate branding their name within Bergdorf Goodman. The answer? The fifth generation estate house knew it was time to let the public in on what the trade already knew - Paul Fisher Estate has leggs all over the world and is the best at sourcing the most rare and unusual jewelry, not to mention the most fashion forward. The partnership has been fabulous and the Bergdorf Goodman is remarkable.
 
Marianne Fisher, daughter of Paul Fisher and the woman at the head of Paul Fisher Estate, is always searching for new ways for the public to understand the importance of estate jewelry inside of a woman's jewelry collection. When the same Chanel handbag is avaiable to you in Dubai and Las Vegas, how do you insert your own style in a world of cookie-cutter luxury? A one-of-a-kind 1940's gold bracelet along with your contemporary pieces is one way - or maybe you choose to wear a vintage Buccellati cocktail ring. But where do you find such pieces and who do you trust? Back to the question at hand - why now? Another reason Paul Fisher Estate feels so strongly about the partnership with Bergdorf Goodman is the sense of trust their clientele has in them - the same, deep sense of trust the fifth generation estate house with an impeccible reputation does. The staff is wonderful to work with - so knowledgable and receptive to learn new things. The journey has just begun and the best is yet to come.
 
Begining on August 4th, every Wednesday there will be a representative from Paul Fisher Estate in the luxury room at Bergdorf Goodman during the hours of 11am - 2pm, presenting a fresh collection of jewelry from their unlimited vault of goodies. It's an opportunity for staffers and clients to constantly view new possibilities for their own personal collections. This exciting and pro-active approach to estate jewelry is exactly what Paul Fisher Estate and especially Marianne Fisher is all about. In the words of Ms. Marianne Fisher - Big Kiss!
 
 
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
 
Look for more on Paul Fisher Estate when we next talk about the long, incredibly successful history with Neiman Marcus and how that client and luxury brand has helped launch quite the estate jewelry collections of many of today's most stylish socialites.

My Obsession With Home Shopping
 
Many of you know that my first love (in jewelry) is the finest of the collectable world. Rare beauties that only a select few get to view and possibly even own. For me, that’s where I was “born” in the business. Personally, I’ve been quite obsessed with jewelry - going back to being a pre-teen and coveting turquoise and coral Navajo works. In 1995, there was a show called Shopping with Charleen and I believe it was on QVC. My friend Donald Neff and I would watch it for hours. I can’t tell you why we did this, it was like we were in some kind of shopping network twilight zone coma, but we loved her. It was the beginning of my shopping network obsession. No, not with buying but with watching.
 
As the years went on I would catch Suzanne Somers selling her wares but I was always specifically interested in the jewelry. What she was creating was amazing and it sold like hot cakes - but I never purchased any of it. It wasn’t for me. I think the business end of it was fascinating and I felt like I was studying. When Joan Rivers launched - it was like winning the lottery. Joan was creating pieces inspired by Fabergé, JAR, Seaman Schepps etc. Still, it wasn’t cutting the mustard for me. I had seen many pieces of her jewelry and it was beautifully manufactured (for what it was), but I wasn’t going to wear a watch with Joan River’s name on it. It WASN’T me. Still, I watched obsessively.
 
Last year everything changed. Carol Brodie, best known as a Harry Winston public relations alum and society gal extraordinaire, launched her collection on HSN aptly named Rarities. I was skeptical at first, but I watched. It didn’t take long before I was hooked! What I think I loved most was that she was not skimping on her creativity or the quality of product she was introducing to the audience. She is offering fine, collectable pieces at a price that most of us can afford or work towards. Big & bold. Soft & delicate. Fashionable & classic. Carol offers something for everyone and I’m a fan. I like statement pieces and often it takes me some time to decide to what I’m going to buy. While I was vacillating on whether or not I wanted a ring - my sister scooped it up. Of course, I’m the one wearing it now and I love it. My first purchased was the Turquoise and Onyx 10k gold ring. I wear it all the time. I’m constantly being complimented on it and for $109, it’s virtually free! I’m also dying for the 52.83ct London Blue Topaz EC cocktail ring at $1599. It’s a very wide price range that Carol’s offering, and at the risk of being redundant - there’s something for everyone.
 
 
Since last year, many of my favorite pieces have sold out. Cuffs, rings, earrings - oh my! Carol has nothing to apologize for. She is passionate, informative, genuine and engaging. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a home shopping experience with jewelry. I can honestly say that the jewelry is far superior in person that it is on the web site or on TV. I cannot imagine that you’ll ever be disappointed. I missed the anniversary special in real time but - I DVR’d it! Currently, I’m all about the Vermeil “Goddess” Drop Earrings in Coral (last season she did them in gold) at $179 - worn with the Mother-of-Pearl and Coral “Buddha” pendant necklace at $339. For a party, nothing can beat the Blue Chalcedony & Multi-Gem Drop Earrings at $349. But the “Stiletto” Quartz & Tanzanite Drop Earrings at $379.90 are chic and a summer must.
 
 
I'm off for my vacation now but you will certainly see me sporting my Carol Brodie Rarities as I travel. Nothing's better for feeling fabulous - especially while enjoying the hot, summer fun!
 
 
Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Searching For Trends

 
My assignment was to report on what was trending this year at the Las Vegas Jewelry Shows. I found a lot of Bochic, green - green was everywhere, cocktail rings and bracelets/cuffs galore. Early on I found myself walking the isles slightly bored, looking for something to catch my eye. Amongst the waves of "pavé this and pavé that" - I found some true gems.
 
 
I’m starting with estate, as that’s my true passion. In the antique show I found Paul Fisher Inc., Neil Marrs and Thomas Farber to have the most beautiful pieces. All three estate houses share a commonality of high integrity, phenomenal jewelry as well as an unwavering passion for each and every piece they own. Talking with any one of them is like a history lesson, and you feel like a better person for having listened. Any time with Mr. Fisher is a true gift and I was generously blessed. If you grab the latest Robb Report - you’ll find a great story about Paul Fisher and his wonderful family.  Interestingly enough, I spoke on a panel “Selling Through Fashion” and the question to me was how to incorporate estate jewelry with what’s currently trending. For me it’s easy - these pieces were all highly fashionable at the time they were created, which makes them highly fashionable now. What hem length isn’t currently in vogue? If I can wear a maxi-dress to the same cocktail party my friend is wearing a black sequenced cocktail mini - what defines what’s in? Estate jewelry gives you the freedom to make your own statement in a world where luxury is almost pedestrian! Individual expression - that’s what’s trending most. Scroll over the images I’ve posted and you’ll get great tid-bits of information about the beautiful pieces I discovered.
 
 
At the Couture Show I fell in love. Eclat blew me away with their use of color and quality of manufacturing. Entered into the Couture Design Awards was their Diamond, Pearl, Conch Pearl and Nefferite, Tassel Sautoir. Ultra chic and the ultimate statement piece. Jean-François Albert had one of the most beautiful buff-top, 20.93ct Tanzanites I’d ever seen. It was velvety like a Kashmir sapphire but when viewed from the side showed all it’s beautiful purple tones. This stone was like a piece of candy and I almost ate it. So damn delicious! Arman - who won the editor’s choice award and the best in silver award - blew me away with his spectacular artistry with his ship earrings and finally Heather Moore won for best in gold with her inscribed cuff. For some reason, maybe my utter sentimentality, it was the work of Heather Moore that moved me the most. The gold, diamond and inscribed cuff is quite monumental, but it was walking up to her booth and talking with her staff that initially reeled me in. I eyed a gold globe on a long chain. It reminded me of a dear friend of mine and Bergdorf Goodman Fine Jewelry and Watch Buyer Abby Huhtanen. She has antique globe pendants from her grandmother, mother and one of her own. They’re diamond studded with the places all the women had traveled. I think they’re just stunning!  Heather had the same idea. Her globe necklaces are wonderful and this piece, as well as the rest of her line, encourages people to document their lives. At the age of 13 Heather’s mother gave her a set of metal stamp letters and it wasn’t until much later in life she knew what she would be doing with them. The kicker for me - when Heather first began her business her sister was preparing to go on a holiday ski trip. Thanking Heather for a wonderful gift, her sister wrote a note of love and encouragement. It would be the last thing she wrote to Heather, as she was killed in a skiing accident. The tragedy was enormous but Heather has since put the entire letter on the winning cuff. After hearing the story, I wanted to know every detail about the line. I spent loads of time talking with Heather and creating in my mind - my story. How would I tell it and what would it look like around my neck, on my wrist or hanging on my keychain? I just adore Heather as well as her entire staff! I also want to mention a new fav of mine - Jemma Wynne. I’m so loving the beautiful, delicate nature of their work and the fab manufacturing. I’m all about their bracelets and earrings right now. Jadore!
 
 
Wrapping up my week in Las Vegas let’s talk about The JCK Show. In AGTA I was privy to go on a buying excursion with Nicholas Varney. One of the stops was a 52ct, almost marble shaped cab, cats-eye aquamarine. It was breathtaking and I only wish I had my camera! The iPhone shot will have to do. Certainly, it doesn’t capture the utter beauty of the stone. Christian Tse has a new line of watches that were more than I could have imagined. Last year we were introduced to their digital, all stone face watches which were so money. This year we get hit again with large faces, diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones and...TITANIUM! It’s a big, bold, beautiful look. I also feel deeply in love with the sliced, faceted sapphire drop earrings.  Last but not least - it’s Victor Velyan. I know, you’re shocked. So I’m biased, but he’s a rock star and the entire jewelry world is beginning to realize it. The buzz around his booth was all about his absolute ingenuity and originality. It’s pure and driven and every time I think I know what he’s capable of - he blows my mind once again. I’m not quite sure what my favorite piece of the show was, but this time the white patina was slaying me! Judge for yourselves.
 
 
I want to thank my friend and co-workers for the wonderful dinners, parties and laughs. Michelle Orman you are guilty of getting in the way of me doing my work! Pool side at The Wynn? Cabana lounging? Yummy lunches? Drinks? Pool side massages? You made the hard day a bit better -thanks Ms. Orman and Couture! Fisher gave me big fun at The Hard Rock, City Center and MGM. Good food, great laughs and gifts from Victor Velyan that made all of us happy to be alive! Neil Marrs and Noel Chhut - you’re my new best friends! Sieks dancing, Nicholas Varney people watching and the best panel; albeit hung over, sick and tired - we pulled it out to a limited but receptive audience! Love you Victoria! Adore Pixlicious and her genius. Christina & Victoria Tse are the most! Love you Carl, my valet God at The Hard Rock! Adios Las Vegas. Until next year!
 
 
 
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
 
 
 
 
 
 

But there are thousands of jean companies...

Today I'm dropping you a little gem - the world of Wings First. Deb Fitch, artist and founder of Wings First was introduced to me by a mutual friend. She knew we would hit it off and was "one of us" - as she put it. A wonderful lunch at The Yale Club and thousands of bracelets later we were friends.
 
As I showed several people the beautiful bracelets I had someone ask me, "doesn't another company or two make something similar?" I answered, "yes, but name all the jean companies you've purchased from. Each designer offers you something different." I got a resounding "good answer!"
 
 
Deb Fitch offers something unique. When I return from Las Vegas and the jewelry shows - I'll give you a bit more. Until then - enjoy this.
 
 
Shine On YOu Crazy Diamond