In New York to attend the celebration of the New AD100, I found myself with a pretty swell dress and pretty tired stockings so I cut a quick path to Bergdorf’s.
Descending the escalator, I was dropped into cosmetics where I felt like an unsuspecting tourist in a 19th century opium den. I tried to keep my head up and avoid eye contact, but my naked lips advertised my naiveté and the calls for “make-up freshen” and “free gift” came fast and furious.
A bolder soul stepped directly in my path. “I need to show you something,” she said as she grasped my right hand. She never broke eye contact as she held my fingers in hers, eased some elixer from a bottle and rubbed it on the back of my hand. My bare lips forgotten, I stared at the raised veins and sunspots of my long and well-baked skin. She swirled the creamy substance in circles, pausing only briefly to hold her fingers just under my nose, “See,”she reassured, “there’s no scent. And see?” she coaxed,” the redness is gone, the spots are gone. It’s like porcelain. You wouldn’t even need foundation. Now, let’s step over here…” she lured.
Unable to break her gaze, I carefully extracted my now flawless paw from her grasp. Anything this wonderful, I knew would be dear; worse, it could be addictive. Forty dollars for tights suddenly seemed reasonable and I stuck with a vice I knew.
I backed away, apologized profusely and made a clean escape. And hoped for dim lighting at the event.
The January issue of AD is on newsstands now. Pick it up to see beautiful rooms by: Bunny Williams, top, photography by Pieter Estersohn, produced by Howard Christian; Stephen Sills, next, photography by Francois Halard, produced by Robert Rufino; and, Daniel Romualdez, photography by Roger Davies, produced by Carolina Irving, styled by Robert Rufino. The New AD100 list can also be found here.
Images from the event at the Guggenheim of the Maurizio Cattelan installation and Architectural Digest Editor-in-Chief, Margaret Russell, courtesy of Lee Mindel.
(gasp)
Patricia,
Glad you had a great trip. And what is the name of this magic elixir?
Karen
well now I need to know what it was!
I am pretty sure that it was Omorovicza Complexion Brightener – $140/oz at Bergdorf's here:
http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod58540135&eItemId=prod58540135&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FNo%253D20%2526Ntt%253Domorovicza%2526_requestid%253D2958%2526N%253D0
My skin was like porcelain – no lie.
Bergdorf's is one of my favorite stores in New York. Very pricey, but beautiful store. Richard from My Old Historic house.
what a divine bit of story telling! Grand + glad your trip was a success. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Your story gives new credence to the term sales "force." I saw the Cattelan installation a few weeks ago, and I still find myself thinking about it.
The Bunny Williams room—-exquisite details: the italian landscapes, the consoles–but those celadon chairs!! And I'm going shopping at Bergdorf's right now–I need that cream. Thanks. Mary
Oh dear, panic truly set in! Next time say, "may I have a sample to try later?". That way you have a little spa treatment in your hotel. 😉
is it zinc based? I have this stuff that a client (who is an aesthetician) gave me and it's the best base, before the base goes on. It's zinc based.
Patricia what an exciting trip and the elixir of the Gods surely IS a dear price. (I still would love to have it)
The AD100 will be in my hands as soon as possible!
Tis the Season!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena