Articles and News
BRAND NEWS: JACK ABRAHAM’S FOR CHILDREN; ALEX SOLDIER’S SOCIAL DIARY; SAKS, RICHEMONT PROFITS LEAP May 16, 2012 (0 comments)
Jack Abraham Celebrates Golden Anniversary By Giving Back
New York, NY—In celebration of his 50 years in business, colored gemstone jewelry leader Jack Abraham will be donating a portion of sales of his Precious Collection jewelry and gems (examples shown at left) to Jewelers for Children. Abraham, who is exhibiting at Luxury by JCK in Las Vegas (booth LUX1117), will donate 5% of all sales proceeds generated at the show through December 31, 2012, to JFC.
Abraham emphasizes the donations will apply to all sales generated as a result of the show, not just jewelry or gems sold at the show. “I want to be able to keep the momentum going, and not make it dependent on the show,” he told The Centurion. So if a client calls in October to get a memo on something they saw at the show, that counts, says Abraham.
Abraham feels strongly about giving back. After five decades in the industry he wants to give back for all the fond memories and dear friends he’s gained, but the gesture is also rooted in Abraham’s personal experience. Born in Afghanistan, Abraham has seen poverty up close. He supports many charities, including an orphanage in his native country, as well as charities in Israel and, now Jewelers for Children.
Jack and Nora Abraham with their grandchildren.
“Writing a check isn’t enough,” he says. “We need to give to those most vulnerable, and kids are vulnerable, especially in the Third World. They go to bed hungry, they wake up hungry, and even a half a penny can buy a piece of bread. But most of all, Abraham wants to lead a movement to give back, not be just one example.
“I’d like to challenge all my peers in the industry who are enjoying prosperity to join me,” he told The Centurion. “Together we can do our part to help put a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts,” he says of the thousands of children who wake up to hunger, illness, neglect or abuse.
For information or to make an appointment, call (917) 929-7333 or email jack@jackabraham.com.
Alex Soldier Featured in New York Social Diary
New York, NY—Designer Alex Soldier, noted for his detailed finishes and intricate construction, recently was featured on the “Shopping” page of New York Social Diary, an online link to who’s who and what’s what in Big Apple society.
The profile article details how the designer’s education as a computer engineer (he holds a master’s degree in the field), and his upbringing as an artistic child in the Ural Mountains of Russia combined to turn him into a celebrated, award-winning jewelry designer. The natural beauty of his childhood surroundings infused the designer with an appreciation for nature, and that inspiration is visible in every piece he creates.
In the article, Soldier credits is wife Galina with recognizing the talent in his detailed drawings—as a computer engineer, he wanted to build a robot—and suggesting he try his hand at jewelry design. With no knowledge whatsoever about jewelry or metals, Soldier sought out the largest jewelry company in the area and applied for whatever job was available. He was hired as an electrician, but within a year became the plant’s chief designer, winning the company many awards at the top eastern European jewelry trade shows.
Now based in New York, Soldier has expanded his work into sculptures and miniatures. Among his creations is a precious-metal miniature of ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, the Princess Grace Award statuette, and many more.
Escargots, both high and low: Alex Soldier’s snail rings can be had affordably in oxidized silver with 18k gold and diamond accents, finished with Soldier’s signature “Dark Satin” texturing, for as little as $2,900 retail, above left in a group of three, or lavishly in diamond and gemstone versions going up to $27,000, top right and bottom. The top right Cognac Snail, in 18k yellow gold and platinum with yellow sapphires, citrines, garnets, and diamonds was a past AGTA Spectrum Award winner. The bottom two rings feature white and yellow gold and diamonds, right, or white and yellow gold with sapphires, aquamarines, diamonds, and peridots, left. Photo: New York Shopping Diary.com
Cartier Nails It With Spring Print Catalog
Paris, France—While hailed as an innovator in luxury digital marketing, famed French jewelry house Cartier hasn’t forgotten that sometimes the old-fashioned way has stood the test of time for a reason.
The jeweler’s spring collection is being promoted via a glossy printed catalog—the quaint kind that requires turning pages manually—accompanied by another time-proven strategy: a signed, personalized letter inviting the recipient into the store.
The sleek publication features Cartier’s signature jewelry and watches, with a special section dedicated to its new/old Juste un Clou (Just a Nail) collection of 18k gold nails (above) bent into rings and bracelets, first introduced in 1971. Accessories, including leather goods, sunglasses, and pens, are shown at the back.
Intentional Collision Targets Buccellati Wife; Goods Stolen
Milan, Italy—Rosa Maria Buccellati, wife of Gianmaria Buccellati, president of the eponymous luxury jewelry firm, was the victim of a well-planned jewelry heist here last weekend, Women’s Wear Daily reports. Buccellati was transporting a load of the company’s jewelry that had been part of an exhibit at a Milan art show when her BMW was struck just outside the entrance to her home. While Buccellati was distracted by the collision and talking to the other driver, two accomplices stole the jewelry from its location next to the driver’s seat.
Italian jewelry house Buccellati is renowned for its finely textured finishes as intricate gem-set designs.
Saks Earnings Jump in Q1
New York, NY—Saks Inc. reported a 13% increase in net earnings for the first quarter of 2012, according to this report in Women’s Wear Daily. Saks CEO Stephen I. Sadove told the paper the improvement was driven by a 4.8% increase in comparable store sales, as well as continued gross margin rate improvement. The retailer’s best performing categories were its “Wear Now” updated bridge department (the category between moderate and designer apparel), contemporary apparel, women’s shoes and dresses, and men’s contemporary apparel, shoes, and accessories. Women’s designer apparel, meanwhile, slowed down.
Richemont Profits Soar, Penney Plummets
London, United Kingdom—Profits at Compagnie Financière Richemont soared 42.7 percent in the 2011-12 fiscal year, following record sales and profits in the jewelry and watch divisions and double-digit sales gains in all regions. According to a report in Women’s Wear Daily, the parent company of brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, IWC, and Jaeger-LeCoultre posted gains of $2.1 billion in sales for the year.
Richemont said its jewelry and watch divisions reported record sales and profits, despite the strength of the Swiss franc and the rising cost of precious materials and production. While it is keeping a wary eye on the situation in the Euro zone, the company is optimistic for 2012, noting that April sales already rose 29% year-on-year. Read more here.
Meanwhile, Plano, TX-based midmarket powerhouse JC Penney is finding that “fair and square” is not necessarily profitable.
The retailer last year launched a strategic shift from discounting and sales to everyday value pricing. But reinventing a retail store takes time and sometimes a lot more money than originally planned, and the firm logged losses of $163 million, or 25 cents per share, for the first quarter of 2012, according to this article in Women’s Wear Daily.
Penney’s new CEO, Ron Johnson, defended his reinvention, saying that while it’s taking time to educate consumers on the new “fair and square” pricing strategy, both customers and vendors love the new merchandise and presentation, and that the retailer’s transformation is “ahead of schedule.” The company also has reorganized and simplified its business model and plans more reorganization.