86 Greenwich Ave.,
Greenwich, Conn.
David Chines can spot a best seller in a matter of seconds. The 30-something CEO and founder of the East Coast retail concept Copious Row says that when he finds it, he just knows. And Chines (pictured) doesn’t shy away from lesser-known brands. On the contrary, he embraces them.
“There were many designers who were underrepresented,” says Chines, who came to the retail sector from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, where he oversaw digital marketing, public relations, and social media for such brands as Fendi and Givenchy. He opened the first Copious Row on a seasonal basis in Sag Harbor, N.Y., two and a half years ago. Its popularity with well-heeled alpha women in their 40s and 50s led to the Greenwich, Conn., outpost, which opened in October. While the Sag Harbor spot is rustic and resortlike by nature, carrying primarily accessories and jewelry, Greenwich is more urban, and has expanded to ready-to-wear. Yet Chines’ philosophy for both stores is the same: “showcasing talents of designers from all over the world and bringing wearable fashionable pieces to the market.”
Bold, sculptural styles by Neha Dani
Everyday Precious Jewelry
Fine jewelry items in the store can be tagged anywhere from $700 to $100,000, but no matter the cost, Chines chooses pieces that are meant to be worn every day—not simply stashed away in a safe. Neha Dani, whose one-of-a-kind jewels are inspired by nature, movement, color, and light, is a customer favorite. One pair of earrings looks like an exotic flower, mixing gold and green rhodium with clusters of diamonds, blue sapphires, and emerald cabochons. Another pair resembles flower petals, with leaves of 18k yellow gold covered in fancy colored and white diamonds. Dani’s breathtaking pieces inspire people to buy, Chines explains. “We’re in a tough retail market right now,” he says. “A lot of people have a lot of things. In order for them to buy more things, you really need to give them something that they can’t live without.” Other designers represented include Jordan Alexander, Ralph Masri, Bibi van der Velden, and Delfina Delettrez, who’s known for her slightly surrealist style.
Light, layering-friendly pieces by LJ Cross
Service and Putting Customers at Ease
For Chines, who eschewed the saturated New York City market, making shoppers feel comfortable and giving them old-fashioned customer service are of paramount importance. Though its wares are high-end, Copious Row comes across as friendly, low-key, and welcoming. “It’s not a high-pressure environment,” he affirms. “The Greenwich store, especially, is like a dream closet with accessories, handbags, clothing, and jewelry.” Indeed, the store is open and airy with bright, natural light enhanced by a large modern chandelier. Black-and-white hardwood floors give way to crown molding and marble details. In early spring, which was still frigid, the stores’ windows featured mannequins in the snow surrounded by red cardinals.
The stained glass– and Middle Eastern architecture–inspired pieces of Ralph Masri
What’s in the Name?
If you are curious about the origins of the store’s name, “it’s a play on Savile Row,” Chines says, referring to London’s famous tailoring street. “And ‘copious’ captures the abundance of style.” More importantly, it flows. And when he came up with the name, he just knew.
