Where gem-laden Indian royals once made a beeline for their Paris atelier to have bag loads of stones set into their trademark trendsetting designs, and luminaries like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were longtime (and bigtime) clients, now tourists and regular folk scoop up mass-marketed Love bracelets, knick-knacks, and even a selection of Délices de Cartier...by Baskin Robbins.
However, instead of waiting for modern maharajahs to return, WSJ.com has a fun piece about how Frederic de Narp, CEO of US Cartier, is bringing the storied house to them.
He recently hired Carl Adams, a well-connected art adviser from Christie's auction house, to hold 18th Century style salons in the homes of socialites and the uber-rich. "We want these influential women to understand the heritage of the brand," notes Mr. de Narp, which will hopefully translate into sales of $150,000 bracelets and other precipitously-priced baubles such as the flawless, D-colored 25 carat emerald cut diamond ring and Panthére de Cartier bracelet made with 1,310 diamonds and 133 sapphires that were both featured centerpieces at the most recent salon held in Bel Air. (via WSJ.com)
- Lesley Scott
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