Due to the popularity of yesterday’s article and slideshow,
I thought it prudent to continue with a bit more of the world of Verdura.
Did you know that the “Duke” was introduced to Coco Chanel
by Cole Porter and his wife?
Did you know that the first Maltese cross cuffs that were
sold in the Chanel Boutique somewhere around 1930 and were “costume jewelry?”
Did you know that Chanel originally hired him as textile
designer?
Did you know that the original Verdura salon (1939) was at
712 Fifth Avenue, just a few doors down from the present 745, and the opening
was backed by the Porters and Vincent Astor?
So there are a few choice tidbits of background about the
profusely and prodigiously talented Signor Verdura. Now it is even more interesting to know that
since the Landrigans took ownership of the legendary name and archive, that
business remains an open secret amongst the cognoscenti as there is less that
points of sale in sale in the world and 2 of them are in New York City. They have no wish to turn the name Verdura in
a Tiffany&Co. or even a Cartier which would have meant that the product
become a much more “mass produced” entity.
This rather brilliant mind set /business model is what allows the brand to retain its
allure, cachet and mystique which are coveted qualities in today’s marketplace
for any luxury category.
The salon in New York allows the visitor to see the entire
world that encompasses the brand and its products. You can see sterling purse pens and pencil
sharpeners to the most elaborate historical pieces that are hidden away in the
archives. Needless to say, the aura of
the salon invites the serious and not the curiosity seeker that are found
street level at its neighbors. Just as
its beginnings, Verdura remains unrivaled when it comes to fine jewelry and is
still considered to be a signature of consummate taste and with its ownership
comes a privilege of possessing a piece of great history as all the Verdura
designs have descended from the hand of the eponymous designer.
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