IndependentsMay 21, 2024
State of Retail: 4 Retail Design Trends for 2024From lighter color palettes to the integration of AR, experts offer inspiration for jewelers in need of an aesthetic refresh.
MajorsNov 09, 2017
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Is Now a Real Thing
The retailer just debuted the redesigned fourth floor of its flagship store, which now includes an all-day café.
Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Cafe, painted in the brand’s signature robin’s egg hue, is located on the fourth floor of its flagship store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York. It will open to the public Friday.
New York--Breakfast at Tiffany’s has evolved from being a popular ‘60s rom-com starring Audrey Hepburn to a real-life possibility.
On Wednesday night in New York, Tiffany & Co. fêted the reopening of its just-revamped fourth floor, which is home to accessories, tableware and, now, a café painted in the jeweler’s signature robin’s egg blue.
Jaye Thompson, who heads public relations globally for the retailer, said the redesigned floor was a collaboration between Richard Moore, Tiffany’s director of store design and visual merchandising, and new artistic director Reed Krakoff.
Tiffany named the accessories and fashion designer as its artistic director earlier this year--one in a series of executive moves, including a new CEO, the company made as it works to combat slumping sales.
Thompson said that Krakoff is weaving his style into everything Tiffany, from the stores to the websites to his first jewelry collection, which is set to debut next spring.
The retailer’s revamped fourth floor is lighter, brighter and more open, and it also includes less of something--merchandise.
Recognizing, like so many retailers, that stores today have to offer an experience, Tiffany cut back on its fourth-floor stock on display in order to dedicate space to the Blue Box Cafe and its on-site kitchen.
The café is open whenever the store is open and serves three meals a day as well as alcohol, which will be welcomed by anyone familiar with Fifth Avenue during the holiday season.
Also on the fourth floor, sprinkled in among the tableware, perfume and handbags, are a few of the items--in Tiffany terms, “Everyday Objects”--that have been lighting up the internet ahead of the grand reopening.
The $9,000 ball of yarn in sterling silver (pictured at left) had its own vitrine in the corner, and a sterling silver and enamel bandage box ($600) was among the objects under glass on the display table right off the elevator.
There was also the now-famous $1,000 “tin” can in sterling silver and vermeil, which Golf Digest described as an excellent alternative to “simply lighting the money on fire.”
So these “Everyday Objects”--the $9,000 ball of yarn, the $600 bandage box--were made by Tiffany simply to create a social buzz before the big opening, right?
In an answer that was neither a yes nor a no, Thompson said creating objects like these was “an expression of the quality we have here in
the business” and allowed Krakoff to have some fun with the artisans at his disposal.
He added that earlier, he saw a woman buying the $55,000 watering can and, for the record, a National Jeweler editor saw a few party guests getting the “tin” cans engraved, so those apparently are of interest as well.
Thompson also pointed out that objects like the yarn, “tin” can and bandage box don’t comprise the bulk of the Everyday Objects collection.
Tiffany’s new Home & Accessories floor, including the Blue Box Cafe, is located on the fourth floor of its New York flagship, 727 Fifth Ave., at 57th Street.
The café is open during store hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are not required.
It officially opens to the public Friday.
He added that earlier, he saw a woman buying the $55,000 watering can and, for the record, a National Jeweler editor saw a few party guests getting the “tin” cans engraved, so those apparently are of interest as well.
Thompson also pointed out that objects like the yarn, “tin” can and bandage box don’t comprise the bulk of the Everyday Objects collection.
Tiffany’s new Home & Accessories floor, including the Blue Box Cafe, is located on the fourth floor of its New York flagship, 727 Fifth Ave., at 57th Street.
The café is open during store hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are not required.
It officially opens to the public Friday.
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsMay 21, 2024
Dame Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Ready for Their EncoreSotheby’s will auction jewelry belonging to the “Diamonds Are Forever” singer in Paris this October.
ColumnistsMay 21, 2024
Successful Vendor Relationships: A Win-Win ApproachSherry Smith shares tips for fostering successful vendor-retailer partnerships, from marketing investment to fast-seller replenishment.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
IndependentsMay 21, 2024
Jennifer Herold Promoted to VP at IJOHerold has been with the organization for 22 years and will continue in her current role of conference director.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
2 Business-to-Business Platforms Secure Millions in Funding Nivoda and Liquid Diamonds both have big plans for the new capital.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
State of the Diamond Industry: Botswana Beyond DiamondsFrom moringa to ecotourism in the Okavango Delta, the country and its leaders are exploring how Botswana can diversify its economy.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Richemont Appoints Van Cleef & Arpels’ Nicolas Bos as New CEOThe announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Fiscal-Year Sales Flat Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
