You are not logged in.
#1 2009-05-24 18:50:03
- tteplitzmd
- Member
- Posts: 345
Rubinacci Sighting...
I was in London briefly last week. Since my hotel is down the street from the Rubinacci London 'boutique' I could not resist a visit. I had been there several times before on previous trips to London, but never saw the Maestro present. On this occasion, however, he was "selling" to two Gulf Gents, but did manage to greet me when I entered. I could feel his tension over whether to ditch these guys to work on me. However, to his credit he persevered, and the two Gulf Gents were escorted to the bolts of cloth... Always Be Closing ("A.B.C.")
What is it about these luxe London establishments? No posted prices. One price for the Gulf and Russians, another for everyone else? Any way you cut it, it's still the rag business.
#2 2009-05-24 20:24:08
- Marc Grayson
- Member
- Posts: 8860
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
"‘The sense of being perfectly well dressed gives a feeling of inner tranquility which even religion is powerless to bestow." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not." Oscar Wilde
#5 2009-05-24 21:36:38
- Marc Grayson
- Member
- Posts: 8860
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
"‘The sense of being perfectly well dressed gives a feeling of inner tranquility which even religion is powerless to bestow." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not." Oscar Wilde
#6 2009-05-25 00:35:49
- Horace
- Member
- Posts: 6433
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#7 2009-05-25 00:42:06
- Bishop of Briggs
- Member
- Posts: 3948
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Did Tip Top buy anything or did the lack of price tags put him off?
Contrary to lies of FNB and Woofboxer, I (and most of the other "Buff Bastards") have been banned from posting on this forum. There are only a few posters left so don't waste your time on here. This forum is dead and nobody cares.
#8 2009-05-25 04:18:21
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#9 2009-05-25 04:24:10
- tteplitzmd
- Member
- Posts: 345
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Maestro was my usage. Capo di tutti capi might be more correct, but then I don't speak freakin' Neapolitan.
No one is ever in the shop except for hypervigilant "associates" and one poor zhlub who appears to have worked with his hands.
#10 2009-05-25 04:51:16
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#11 2009-05-25 05:08:17
- tteplitzmd
- Member
- Posts: 345
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Nicely presented, as one would expect. Lots of ties and other accessories. Some shirting cloths, suiting and jacketing bolts, towards the rear. Small but spacious. A small inventory of RTW jackets and outerwear. A guestbook to sign in. I resisted the impulse to sign in as V. Nicolosi, Staten Island.
No prices, by which I mean no prices anywhere (not just the display window). Perhpas Matt.I.am. would reveal the secret price code The opaque pricing scheme (aka "Authentic Neapolitan Pricing") is in keeping with their theme of purported "Authentic Neapolitan Tailoring." (TM)
There is an interesting photo on the wall of the Maestro showing some schmattes to an erstwhile Pope. ABC.
#12 2009-05-25 05:22:37
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Last edited by formby (2009-05-25 05:31:07)
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#14 2009-05-25 09:35:45
- mafoofan
- Member
- From: Chicago, IL USA
- Posts: 328
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Last edited by mafoofan (2009-05-25 09:39:06)
#16 2009-05-25 11:10:18
- tteplitzmd
- Member
- Posts: 345
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
I didn't realize that "Sales" was considered one of the learned professions. Actually, my comment about opaque pricing was rhetorical. You don't find prices readily available at Graff, Dege, or Claremont Carpets, for that matter. It is a simple sales technique, relying upon psychology. It's practiced extensively at luxe establishments and commercial endeavors that try to exploit exclusivity. See for example, certain lots at the auction house: "refer department" or "estimate upon request." This is done for several reasons, including excluding the casual or insincere customer. By being required to ask, you are providing your bona fides, so to speak. Further, you gain the approval of the seller, and bolster your own impaired self esteem.
After my having been at Norton & Sons earlier in the day, Rubinacci is a regular TJ Maxx.
#17 2009-05-25 13:10:29
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
I think I need a good Rubinaccing..
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#19 2009-05-25 13:23:13
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#20 2009-05-25 16:56:16
- Marc Grayson
- Member
- Posts: 8860
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
"‘The sense of being perfectly well dressed gives a feeling of inner tranquility which even religion is powerless to bestow." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not." Oscar Wilde
#21 2009-05-26 04:58:31
- tteplitzmd
- Member
- Posts: 345
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
There is a group of high end Italian antique rug dealers, mainly in Milan. My (now retired) Bond Street dealer, referred to them as "the merchant princes." That honorific might apply as well to this Maestro.
#23 2009-05-26 09:23:01
- tteplitzmd
- Member
- Posts: 345
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Mr. FNB is correct in his clarification. In any case I don't do "sessions."
The Merchant Prince designation is precise: these high end dealers, are invariably from several generations of dealers, sell very good stuff, at very high prices, and are invariably "charming." They are masters of the "no price tag" school, for the reasons I previously noted. Note also, that they have inherited their businesses, not that there is anything wrong with that. In this regard, they mirror most of their customers. Further, their customers seem to have an affinity for this shared background.
#24 2009-05-26 10:03:50
- mafoofan
- Member
- From: Chicago, IL USA
- Posts: 328
Re: Rubinacci Sighting...
Last edited by mafoofan (2009-05-26 10:05:43)