<i>With boutiques located on the most fashionable avenues in the United States and Canada, what more could a Couture jeweler want? A boutique in New York City, that's what.</i>



This spring, Kaufmann de Suisse made its dream of operating in New York come true with the opening of its newest boutique on the Upper East Side. The 2,500-square-foot store, featuring 1,250 square feet on the ground floor and a mezzanine, is in good retail company as the world's leading brands await upscale shoppers up and down the blocks of well-trafficked Madison Avenue.
According to Charles Kaufmann, one of the two brothers involved in the family business that began more than 45 years ago with Swiss-born E. Pius Kaufmann, thus, the `Suisse' in the company's name, the newest boutique will feature all of its latest creations from Art Nouveau inspired pieces, to the stunning beauty of its well-recognized feminine yet bold Flowing Lines collection to the dazzling signature pieces crafted out of rare and important gemstones.
Kaufmann de Suisse will also be bringing New York shoppers its prestigious reputation for having been the winner of six Diamonds International Awards. In addition to award-winning designs, each piece of jewelry is signed and numbered for value-added appeal. “We are very optimistic with this boutique as our designs are becoming more and more recognized. This store allows shoppers to come in and try the pieces they see in our advertising,” Kaufmann says.
In addition to its boutique on Montreal's Crescent Street, Kaufmann de Suisse opened a Worth Avenue store in Palm Beach, Florida in 1994. When asked why open a boutique in New York, especially with the retail climate in a state of uncertainty, Kaufman explains that there are no immediate high sales expectations for its newest boutique. Rather, over time, the sales will be generated. The company is building its brand for the long term. “We took time to develop our brand and have spent the past nine years in Florida building our image. People are now very familiar with Kaufmann de Suisse and we feel we are ready for New York,” Kaufman says.
Kaufman says current advertising already in place will support the new boutique. “We will add our third location in all our ads,” he explains. Additional mailings will be used to promote the store, too, Kaufmann says. With the new store, Charles Kaufmann moved down from Montreal to oversee the New York operation. Brother Christopher, who designs the collection, calls Palm Beach home where he manages that store. Both brothers are GIA certified gemologists and have apprenticed under their gemologist father as well as in Switzerland with leading jewelers.
As to the success of the New York boutique, only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, in the words of Frank Sinatra, if Kaufman de Suisse can make it here, they'll make it anywhere.


Kaufmann de Suisse is taking a bite out of the Big Apple and is opening a New York boutique. Shown here, the company's Montreal and Palm Beach stores have been popular with shoppers for years.

The Kaufmann family from left: Charles, E. Pius and Christopher.

An elegant necklace is just one of the unique looks offered by Carrera y Carrera.

http://www.kaufmanndesuisse.com
(please credit europastar.com)

Source: Couture International Jeweler
June / July 03 issue