GUCCI TIMEPIECES JOINS FUND-RAISING EFFORT
Gucci Timepieces has created two new watches to help fund AIDS education. The company will donate a portion of sales of the watches to Love Heals, which is part of the Alison Gertz Foundation, New York, N.Y.
The first watch is ³1800,² an 18k white goldplated model with interchangeable marine-link bracelet with straps in red and black. It¹s now available for $495 from Love Heals, 345 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022; (212) 351-1335. In the fall, the 18k white goldplated ³6300² will be available with a red leather strap for $375.
FABERGÉ ADDS NEW LICENSING PROGRAM
Fabergé Co., Greenwich, Conn., is developing a licensing program for additional lines of fine jewelry, china, crystal stemware, sterling silver flatware, textiles, home furnishings and accessories.
The licensed products will draw design influences from the works of Peter Carl Fabergé, the famed Russian jeweler, and will be targeted to jewelry stores, fine department stores and specialty shops.
The Beanstalk Group, New York, N.Y., which is developing the program for Fabergé, plans to name licensees this fall.
Fabergé, owned by Unilever, has already issued licenses to some companies in recent years, including Victor B. Mayer GmbH of Germany for fine jewelry.
Beanstalk Group, 101 E. 52 St., 33 Fl., New York, NY 10022; (212) 421-6060.
WITTNAUER OPENS SWISS OFFICE
Wittnauer International, New Rochelle, N.Y., has opened an office in Basel, Switzerland, to serve as a base for its expanding European operations.
The office marks a return for the company, which was founded by Swiss-born Albert Wittnauer in 1880 and had an office in Geneva, Switzerland, until 1975.
The company has exhibited at the Basel watch fair for the past two years as part of its reintroduction to international markets and has two Swiss partners, Zodiac and Universal Geneve. The new office is at Rittergasse 35 in Basel.
SUPPLIERS ON THE GROW
Delma USA Ltd., the U.S. subsidiary of Delma of Switzerland Watch Co., has expanded and moved to 145 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801; (800) 971-7712 or (914) 235-7711, fax (914) 576-3459.
Citra Trading Corp. will move effective June 1 to larger quarters next door to its current location. The new address will be 590 Fifth Ave., 14-15 Flrs., New York, NY 10036; (212) 354-1000.
Le Vian® of New York has been chosen ³The Official Jeweler for the Mrs. America Pageant² for the fourth consecutive year. Kimberly Bradshaw, the current Mrs. America, will model Le Vian¹s latest collection and autograph photos at the firm¹s booth at The JCK Show in Las Vegas June 2-3 and the New York JA show July 21-22. Bradshaw, a former Miss Oklahoma, is an attorney and the mother of four boys. A. Levian & Co., 10 W. 46 St., 19 Fl., New York, NY 10036; (212) 575-0318.