LA. This is my third visit to see our new store and still no work has been started. I am going to get them all in one room and start picking on the smallest one first. Although I may leave it at that as it finally looks as though the message is getting through… after an all team meeting I have been promised that works will commence at midnight (Beverly Hills doesn’t like to see building work going on during the day) Friday 15th Oct. 6 weeks late.
The store is not the only story in town. The separation of Christina and Jordan has hit the papers. It’s all very sad as they are both dear friends of ours and of course with Christina as the face of SW we have a lot of ties. This is not the place for gossip we just want to wish the best to them both.
Phoenix. Boy it’s still 90 degrees in this desert town and its 8pm. Staying at the W. Not much atmosphere but it’s convenient for Neiman Marcus which is where my next sins do is. This is number 6. Tim Braun the general manager of the store has told me he wants this to be the best. Out of the 6 so far, 4 have been belters so he better be loading the big guns.
Loud mouth ass standing at the bar next to me with a couple of hooker types. I am taking my martini (only one tonight) to my room. Its only 10pm but ready to hit the sack.
I have to say walking into Neiman Marcus today was a proud moment. Stephen Webster occupied the entire precious jewellery department. Not another brand in sight. It’s only a few years since we would have struggled to fill three showcases let alone the whole department. The visual guys had obviously enjoyed the Seven Deadly Sins theme. Every showcase was decorated with our artwork. As for the models, all I can say is that they must have a good gene pool around Phoenix and Scottsdale. All beautiful and all dressed according to the SW 7DS brief. God knows when and where a hot pink fur would be worn in the vicinity but the one worn by Gluttony was pulled from the fur department.
From one desert to another. 17 hours away. Next stop Dubai.
With an 11 hour time difference, 2 evening events and 2 full days of press; the Middle East stop was always going to be a challenge but adrenalin takes over along with copious amounts of caffeine and I get the job done.
The Dubai trip concluded with my DJ set at the SW night club which my partners Al Tayer created. The fact that my playlist didn’t clear the room is only testament to the power of Martini’s which for a country not entirely comfortable with the consumption of alcohol seemed to be on offer from a bottomless source somewhere under the radar.
