The Scene: Crazy About Tiffany
It has to be said: If you're looking for some earth-shattering, interesting and unknown facts about Tiffany & Co, one of the most popular and well-known jewellery houses in the world, this docu-film is not it.
There isn't anything one doesn't already roughly know about the jewellery house that's being discussed in this behind-the-scenes look at the most prominent jewellery family. It is akin to watching a promotional film dressed as a fashion docu-film, much-like Scatter My Ashes In Bergdorf. But I don't think uncovering unknown interesting facts was necessarily what this Tiffany's paid-for docu-film intended to do.
What it did was to make me reminisce about my own experiences buying Tiffany & Co. jewellery. Overall, I have to say that this docu-film is fascinating and interesting, in that, in brings you into the world of this highly popular jewellery brand. There's interesting interviews with Jessica Biel and Rachel Zoe, as well as a candid one with Jennifer Tilly, who admitted to taking horrible roles JUST to pay for her jewellery bills, including a big obsession with Tiffany & Co.
Anyway, as I was saying, watching this docu-film made me remember the very first Tiffany & Co piece I purchased. I was 18 and was then working part-time at a skincare and make-up store. It was my first job ever and when I got my first paycheck, I took myself to Tiffany & Co at Takashimaya Shopping Centre and purchased my very first big ticket item - ever. It was the classic 925 silver ring and I've beee eyeing it ever since I can remember. I still have it and I wear it everyday. It is now a daily reminder to myself that I can do whatever it is that I put my mind to -- and that one must never be afraid to hustle to get what one wants.
To date, i've had a couple more Tiffany & co pieces (my other favourite is the silver bangle from teh Atlas collection) in my collection and I don't think it'll ever stop.
Ok, back to the docu-film. Another thing that came to mind while watching this was all my favourite scenes in the movies. One was, of course, Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly decked out in Givenchy, stepping out of a cab and having breakfast in front of the store window of Tiffany & Co on 5th Avenue in New York.
But another scene that I loved was the proposal scene from Sweet Home Alabama, starring Patrick Dempsey and Reese Witherspoon. I remember watching this movie and felt my heart jumped when the lights came on and one by one the display counters of Tiffany & Co came into light. And then Patrick Dempsey says "Pick one" while on bended knees as he proposed to Reese Witherspoon's character. How magical was that?
This got me thinking about how Tiffany & Co became such a huge jewellery house not only by being part of the glamorous Hollywood life but because it successfully made itself part of our lives.
With that said, there were some things I learnt from watching this docu-film.
Tiffany owns the colour
Yes. Tiffany blue is an actual colour that's owned by the family. And it all started with Empress Eugenie of France who made that Robin's egg shade of blue her official royal colour when she became queen. The Empress was such a fashion icon (an olden day Audrey Hepburn, so to speak) that whatever she wore became something that's covetable. Charles Tiffany, the owner and founder of the jewellery house, saw this as an opportunity and made that colour the symbol of his jewellery house. It's a smart move. Just like the orange box, everybody knows what you're talking about when you refer to those "blue boxes".
Engagement Ring
Well, many already know this but it's worth highlighting that the idea of the engagement ring is a marketing and commercial strategy by Tiffany& Co. Back in the 1800s, diamonds weren't that much of a popular stone. When diamonds were used, the bezel setting, which kept the stone low and flat in the hoop (think of a signet ring design) was most popular. Then Charles Tiffany decided to show off the brilliance of his diamonds. In 1886, he raised the diamond off of the ring's hoop, creating the six-prong mounting that is now ubiquitous with solitaire engagement settings.
The docu-film is no longer showing but a quick search online will bring results to an online stream of the show. Till then, here's the trailer: