Possessions That Say ‘Prestige!’
You leave your Lexus with the valet, check the time on your Cartier Panthere and head to South Coast Plaza in your Gucci shoes and pink Chanel suit.
You’ve arrived.
Status symbols, those things that say you’ve made it, are easy to find in affluent Orange County where upscale stores such as Chanel, Tiffany and Cartier beckon. They are not, however, so easy to afford.
If, for instance, you buy the top-of-the-line Cartier Panthere watch covered in diamonds (thereby outdoing your friends who bought theirs in plain gold), you’ll need a cool $35,500.
Here, then, a round-up of must-haves for the status-conscious:
The Ultimate Handbag
At Orange County’s black-tie galas, it’s common to see Judith Leiber’s crystal-studded evening bags placed conspicuously on tables near the centerpiece.
Party guests seldom hide these gems under their chairs. Leiber’s handbags, or minaudieres, look more like jewelry. They’re finely crafted and hand-set with Austrian crystals or semiprecious gems, and they often come in whimsical animal shapes like ducks and teddy bears.
“Exquisite craftsmanship make her bags objets d’art, “ says Billur Wallerich, spokeswoman for Neiman Marcus at Newport Center Fashion Island in Newport Beach, which carries the purses. “The bags now have a cult-like following of people who collect them”--even at $1,000 to $3,000 apiece.
At Saks Fifth Avenue in South Coast Plaza, one customer bought nothing but Judith Leiber bags (and Chanel clothes) to take on her trip to the Orient.
Saks’ Leiber collection includes an octagon-shaped minaudiere with pink and white crystals for $1,570 and a bulldog covered in multicolored crystal hearts that opens at the collar for $2,415.
For less formal affairs, the often-copied Chanel handbag is the leader among prestigious purses.
Many have copied the Chanel quilted leather bag with the links-and-leather strap, but only the genuine Chanel bags (and some illegal counterfeits) have the all-important interlocking Cs. They start at $560 at the Chanel Boutique in South Coast Plaza.
Killer Shades
Since “Terminator 2” blew onto the big screen this summer, men have been coming to the Optical Shop of Aspen at Fashion Island asking for the same sunglasses sported by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s killing machine. The plastic wrap-around model, by Japanese clothing designer Matsuda, sell for about $200.
The vintage-looking round shades worn by T2’s heroine, Linda Hamilton, are just as popular among the women. These, also by Matsuda, come with brass-finish frames and a Chinese heritage design on the sidepieces. They sell for about $389.
Matsuda sunglasses “are on the cutting edge,” says Pascal Guertner, optician and fashion consultant for Optical Shop of Aspen.
“In the year 2000, these will still be in style.”
Status Suits
For women, few garments have the mystique and prestige of the classic Chanel suit.
Chanel style has always been favored by the upper-crust, and also by particularly bestselling authors. Romance writer Judith Krantz favors them, as does Nancy Reagan biographer Kitty Kelley.
The reason for Chanel’s enduring appeal:
“There’s a timelessness attached to the name and style,” says Arlette Thebault, spokeswoman for Chanel Inc. in New York City. “A Chanel jacket never gets out of date.”
Chanel suits have a reputation for impeccable craftsmanship. They come with a personalized silk lining and a chain sewn into the hem, if the fabric requires it, so the garment will hang just so. All of the buttons placed on a jacket work; none is there for show. The Chanel Boutique in South Coast Plaza will feature suits designed by Karl Lagerfeld for fall in bright colors. To get an idea of price, one in a rich purple and magenta tweed with black trim will sell for $3,230.
For men, Giorgio Armani remains one of the most coveted labels in suits.
“They’re the top, top of the line,” says Robert Rosenthal, fashion director of Macy’s South/Bullock’s in Atlanta.
“They have beautiful Italian fabrics, the tailoring is distinctive, and the Armani name has a lot of status.”
The truly status-conscious choose Black Label Armani, which, at about $1,500 to $3,500, are the most expensive. These are made of silk-and-wool blends and feature Armani’s trademark longer coats and pleated pants.
Orange County men can find Armani at the new Men’s Store at Bullock’s in South Coast Plaza.
Power Watches
Jeweler Roger Grafstein says Rolex remains the king of fine watches among his Orange County clientele, but he thinks the Cartier Panthere may soon dethrone it.
“Rolex still sits right on top. It’s the most wanted, worn, hawked and stolen watch there is,” says Grafstein, who owns Grafstein & Co. in Santa Ana.
People will pay $10,000 on up for a Rolex because of its durability, elegance and name recognition, he says.
“I can get a check cashed anywhere on the planet. I can get the maitre d’s attention at a restaurant by flashing my Rolex.”
But the Panthere, a sleeker-looking watch whose band is composed of five rows of gold links, has been catching on fast.
“It’s thin, elegant and chic,” says Juliane Higgitt, manager of the Cartier store in South Coast Plaza. The woman’s gold Panthere sells for $11,000; the man’s, for $14,000.
“Of course, it’s also available with diamonds,” Higgitt says. “That’s a nice step up.”
Best of Bangles
The Love bracelet by Cartier is perhaps the only piece of jewelry that comes with its own screwdriver.
“It’s intended to be put on by your loved one,” says Higgitt. And presumably never removed.
Although they were originally sold in pairs, the bracelets can now be purchased individually for $3,350. And they have proven popular with both men and women.
“Princess Diana wears hers on her right wrist,” Higgitt says. “Gentlemen wear them with their watches.”
Prestige Pens
For closing escrow on that Newport Beach manse or signing that big contract, the Mont Blanc from Tiffany is the pen to wield.
Mont Blancs, which have 14-karat gold nibs and the Tiffany name on the clip, are perfect for commemorating a special occasion such as a wedding, says Jo Ellen Qualls, vice president for Tiffany & Co. at South Coast Plaza.
“It’s a high-image piece,” Qualls says. “It has a high recognition factor and carries with it the sense that one has achieved a level of accomplishment. And it just happens to be a superb writing instrument.”
A Mont Blanc fountain pen sells for about $250 to $300--reason enough not to lose it.
High-Flying Scarfs
Hermes scarfs have long graced the necks of prominent persons, Queen Elizabeth among them.
What makes them special?
They are made of a rich silk twill, are exquisite in color and fine in detail. The designs on them are silk-screened, and the hems are hand-stitched into a roll. Some people even think they’re suitable for framing.
“They’re considered a collector’s items,” says Louise Maniscalco, director of personal shopping for Barneys New York in New York City. “It’s not a scarf you buy one season and people say, ‘Oh, fall ’90.’ ” One woman buys several scarfs every season to tuck away for her children, she said.
A few of the latest designs have Oriental themes--bonsai, dragons, sampans. They’re available at the Hermes boutique in Barneys New York, South Coast Plaza, for $195.
