THE MOST LUXURIOUS AND PRICELESS ZOO EVER CREATED BY THE GREATEST JEWELERS

LIKE NO ZOO  YOU  HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE..... follow the links and prompts for full review  

https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/beautiful-creatures-jewelry

VERDURA at 75

October 14 begins a roughly 2 month celebration of one of the great brands and masters of what is today referred to as “haute joallier.” Verdura is one of the most highly respected and iconic jewelers of the 20^th century and still retains its status and its place in the hierarchy of fine jewelers worldwide. This once in a lifetime exhibit has been curated by Carolina and Reinaldo Herrera along with their daughter Patricia Lansing. This rare opportunity affords the viewer “face time” with some of the most incredible and legendary creations ever to have been turned out by the Verdura workrooms. Many pieces have been “loaned back” to the company so that they may be exhibited for this occasion.

Having been afforded a one on one with Nico Landrigan (CEO) a while ago, it seemed highly appropriate to reissue and update the results of our meeting. As one of the great highlights of that meeting, Mr. Landrigan (CEO) was kind of enough to offer me the chance to actually ”fondle”  Mademoiselle Chanel’s Maltese  cross cuffs which were retrieved from the company vaults. If one ever has experienced a true fashion moment, well that was mine!

Besides, Mlle. Chanel, Duke Fulco di Verdura was more than acquainted with the likes of Diana V., Greta G., Babe P., Marlene D., Doris D., the Porters, a few Astors, a Hepburn, and countless other luminaries who remained loyal clients during their lifetimes.  Many of the original designs that once belonged to these ladies are still available provided that you shop at the salon above Fifth Avenue in NYC or at one of rare points of sale worldwide.

Lest we forget to mention the Duchess of Windsor, Mona Bismarck and Millicent Rogers; if none of these names are familiar to you; you can just be awed by the genius of the design that goes into every design and the exquisite pieces that are still turned out by “the jeweler to the stars.”

As Mr. Landrigan said “our jewelry is like art for the body” and I must say it is the equivalent of owing any Monet or Picasso as they are all meant to be treasured in much the same ways.

Here are a few facts you might not be aware of:

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 Verdura 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 into a Tiffany&Co. or even a Cartier which would have meant that the product might be classified as a 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 original design and astounding workmanship. To this day the name still reflects consummate good taste and with its ownership comes the privilege of possessing a piece of great history.  All Verdura designs have descended from the hand of the eponymous designer.

http://www.verdura.com/

October 14 through December 23 .., 745 Fifth Avenue

WHY DON'T YOU .. 2012 edition

In honor of still one more book being published this week based on the illustrious life and career of Diana Vreeland, I dedicate this week’s series to her and her spirit.  The book’s title is Empress of Fashion: A Life of Fashion authored by Amanda Mackenzie Stuart.  So, this author’s version will be dedicated to a large number of those who are my INTERNATIONAL “friends” on Facebook; the ones who carry on in the tradition of great style and fashion and offer the most original and superior goods and services imaginable.  So, this week will be all about... WHY DON’T YOU?

Verdura… WHY DON’T YOU  buy the famous “Greta Garbo” linked bracelet for your significant other or maybe the nuts and bolts cuff links in gold?( http://www.verdura.com/ ) maybe a vintage piece of Belperron?

Ragamont… WHY DON’T YOU arrange for a picturesque luxurious and epicurean winter getaway without having to travel to Gstaad or make your next dinner party a sleepover with all your nearest and dearest  and let Pete Hathaway make all the arrangements ?(http://www.ragamont.com/ ) 

Mark Powell … WHY DON’T YOU  give your significant other a plane ticket to London, book a suite at Claridges and arrange  for the bespoke services of one of London’s most famous Savile Row tailors? (http://www.markpowellbespoke.co.uk/ ) and then arrive hours later as a surprise.

Fromental … WHY DON’T YOU commission a mural of your ancestral digs for your dining room or of your favorite Orientalia for wall coverings in any room? (http://www.fromental.co.uk/ )

Talon Rouge … WHY DON’T YOU  take that ratty old Birkin,  make it like new again or refurbish your old JM Weston’s and you can do it by Fed ex or travel off to Paris for a weekend of rejuvenation and stay at the Meurice and use the Valmont Spa every day?  (http://talonrouge-pierrepaul.blogspot.com/ )

Richard Haines WHY DON’T YOU commission a portrait of your other half by one of the world’s greatest and most renowned illustrators?  Miuccia loves him! (http://designerman-whatisawtoday.blogspot.com/ or (haines.richard@gmail.com)

Mark Belford … WHY DON’T YOU arrange for a HAUTE Couture gown which will make you a frequent flyer to Toronto and arrange for a standing reservation for your room at the Hazelton? (http://www.markbelford.com/ ) ask Princess Charlene what she thinks…

Miracle Icons … WHY DON’T YOU truly get into the “spirit” of the season with “sainted” bracelets for all of your loved ones? (http://www.miracleicons.com/ ) Bruce Springsteen and Colin Farrell don’t leave home without theirs.

Creel & Gow … WHY DON’T YOU shop here and find the most original of gifts for the person who has everything? (http://www.creelandgow.com/) perhaps a lobster en tremblant!

M. de Phocas … WHY DON’T YOU lavish your man with the gift of fine bespoke jewelry? Or maybe the designers can be convinced to make matching earrings for you! (http://www.mdephocas.com/ )

VERDURA .. part 2

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.

http://www.verdura.com/

Norman Ambrose Spring 2013 New York Collections

The subject: Norman Ambrose Spring 2013.  The game: word association.  Here are the words that come to mind after having seen this presentation yesterday at the Verdura salon high above Fifth Avenue.  Impeccable, flawless, distinctive, colorful, sleek, soigne, raffine, urbane, ageless, modern, rich and light and that’s just for starters …..

Mr. Ambrose has a touch which is profoundly demonstrated in how his clothes fit and how they are perceived by the observer.  For example, if they are tailored then they are razor sharp, if they are soft then they are as fluid and as flowing as a liquid and if they are embellished, then they are excruciatingly gorgeously done without ever being garish or heavy handed.  The color palette is pitch perfect for Spring/Summer and once again, never out of control.

The appeal is for those who have knowledge of what it means to wear couture like quality as well as the confidence in knowing that they wear the best.  The fabrics are always suited to the season as are the silhouettes, which remain classic and offer more than a fleeting nod to the most modern of shapes.  There is a delicacy that these clothes exude that is rarely found at this level of design; the only designer I see as a just comparison is Ralph Rucci.  You may find that odd but both of these men are deeply dedicated to their craft in ways that most designers will never attain.  Both designers are intimately involved in the design process as so few are in today’s world of fashion.  Both designers demand a level of perfection that is almost absent in today’s fashion climate and most certainly in the United States.

The photographs will only be able to tell part of the story as not even a camera can capture the delicacy and quality of these pieces.  The collection is for those who are not seeking the klieg light entrance but they are the ones who will be noticed with those recurring glances that admire and envy the wearer!  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the chalk embroidery, the turquoise embellishments, the feathers, the beading, the stitching and even the press of these clothes.  These are the clothes that silently scream!

Have a look and all comments are welcome as usual … please know that Norman Ambrose is a force to be reckoned with… maybe not today, but he will rise to the top sooner than later after all the flavors of the week have vanished and been forgotten from the fashion landscape.

http://www.normanambrose.com/http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/international-style-nyfw-norman-ambrose-spring-2013