Tiffany and Co. of New York has lived up to its reputation of offering only high-quality jewelry to its elite clientele all over the world. The company is also involved in increasing awareness of the value of nature and how it affects man, which is why the Tiffany Nature Fine Jewelry Collection was conceptualized specifically for its renovated and bigger outlet at Rustan's Makati.
Menchu Tantoco-Lopez, managing director of Rustan's Commercial Corp., has seen how the Tiffany outlet survived since it opened five years ago. "Manila's upscale market are intelligent shoppers because they are exposed to the best of the world. And since there is an emerging new market base that also appreciates fine , specially if it comes from a reputable company like Tiffany, we at Rustan's have declared to keep the continuing commitment of bringing to Manila all the best from the world. And true to this factor, we have even decided to completely renovate the Tiffany outlet and even increase its space so that we can allocate (space to) its varied product lines. Not only do we have , but we have also gift items ranging from key holders, desk accessories, pens, watches, silver, crystal and stationaries."
Edward Gerard, director for International division and Hong Kong-based Darren Chen, vice-president for North Asia flew to Manila to witness the unveiling of the "Tiffany Nature Collection" during a special exhibit-sale.
At the tea reception, select guests sampled an array of tea and finger foods as models paraded five of the most important pieces in the collection. Mr. Gerard stressed that "actually, the Tiffany Nature was inspired by the 19th century renderings of nature from the Tiffany archives. Through the heritage factor that Tiffany is known for, we were able to conceptualize and unify the many designs of these fine jewelry. The collection features bracelets, brooches, pendants, necklaces, earrings and rings, all embibing the philosophy that nature is never wrong. Nature is always right and Tiffany is too."
The different pieces feature diamonds set in platinum, while various gemstones and pearls are occasionally used for small accents. master craftsmen creatively and wittingly put these all together - a turtle brooch (P 900,000); frog earrings set in platinum with black and white Tahitian and South Sea pearls (PI.2 million); a lizard brooch; dragonfly earrings (P300,000); a spiderweb pendant; and butterfly pins, among others.
There is also the complimentary line of china, and the scarf collection which was introduced in June 1996. These 36-inch scarves made of 100% silk twill (P9,000), were designed to be worn and to complement the Tiffany style. There is a choice of nine different designs - Botanical, Leaves, Dogwood, Songbird, Sunflowers, Tulips, Magnolia, Tiffany nature and Orchids - and depending on the pattern, are available in two to eight colorways.
The scarves are produced in a technically advanced factory in Como, Italy, the heart of the world renowned Italian silk industry. Each of the scarves is hand rolled and the designs are all hand silk screened - a very labor intensive process which can take three to six months to complete. Muddy colors were not used and like the Tiffany gemstones, the colors are pure, bright and clean.