TIFFANY & CO. With Tiffany & Co. opening a flagship on L'Avenue Champ's Elysees in Paris and recent earning reports showing the Chinese market giving it hope, it's not great news that the New York based creative directors of Leather goods Richard Lambertson & John Truex have left the company. Recent management changes is giving an unclear message of what direction the accessory business is headed in. Tiffany has failed to create a luxury lifestyle brand despite having added two veterans of luxury when they acquired Lambertson Truex in 2009. Bringing two heavyweights on board to create a leather goods collection should have bolstered the brand in the eyes of fashion fans.
TIFFANY FLAGSHIP STORE SHANGHAI Leather goods have remained an afterthought in the storied house of all things diamonds and sterling silver. Unlike competitor Bulgari that has launched a multi-million dollar campaign starring former French first lady and super model with a small s Carla Bruni, Tiffany has not found its fashion relevance in a post recession 2013. Luxury is booming, but Tiffany seems to simply stick a big toe in the water with leather accessories, instead of diving in as Bulgari has done. Regardless of the fact that few women are dying for a Bulgari bag, you wouldn't know it from the campaign. On the contrary, many women would want a Tiffany clutch with the famous blue lining, but the bags rarely make it into the campaign. Are you listening Tiffany?
JOHN TRUEX & RICHARD LAMBERTSON
Fans of leather goods and Lambertson Truex rejoice - word has it the dynamic duo is re-launching the collection under the name Lambertson Truex & Co.
CARLA BRUNI FOR BULGARI Financed by Tiffany & Co. perhaps? Save a space in your budget ladies, the bags are coming back!