Just came back from New York City courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue. Had a fun filled two days of jewelry and fashion. I tried really hard to be as upscale as the other people with me. I succeeded – well, sort of.
At dinner the first night I had a chance to meet Marc Metrick, president of Saks. He is an engaging man and has some amazing insight about how to maximize the growth of the company combining brick and mortar stores and online sales. Here’s where I may have slipped up, just a little. (I couldn’t help it.) He asked what I did. I said I was in the publishing business. As most people do, he responded, “What do you publish?” And I said, with a pause, glancing both ways before looking into his eyes and in low voice, I said, “Pornography”. He didn’t blink, just smiled. I said, “No, just kidding. I publish tax research. Kind of boring, but it pays the bills!”
I have to admit, I used the same line at Cartier and I could feel the gulp in the young woman’s throat but her smile stuck. I took the pressure off by telling the truth.
I also visited David Yurman's studio, where I saw and tried on some of the most amazing jewelry I’ve ever seen. The Yurmans, David, his wife Sybil, and son Evan were absolutely charming. Their jewelry is inspired by David’s early sculpting and Sybal’s painting. Evan is fascinated by stones and we spent quite a bit of time going over books and looking at some exquisite necklaces that he had created.
In short, it was a wonderful trip, finished off with a visit to the original Saks Fifth Avenue – 9 stories of amazing fashion and cocktails at the Rainbow room. And I will try not to use my story again, but I can’t promise.
