Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/221565
Aspiring and Acquiring With Asprey The London retailer takes its show on the road to the hamlet of Houston SETH VAUGHAN REPORTS FROM THE VAULT. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL. T oo marvelous for words is how I would describe Asprey's most recent fine jewelry creations. And, it seems I'm not alone. When the British tabletop outfitter and fine jewelry establishment crossed the pond with trunks of luxury goods, to better acquaint potential Houston clients with the 233-year-old purveyor of high jewelry, timepieces, sterling, crystal, leather goods and polo equipment, murmurs and sage noddings prevailed. Michelle Foutch Poolside dining Estela Cockrell Greggory Burk Darcy Rigas Paddy Byng Philip Baldwin Cabrina Owsley Chesie Breen Pat Breen Mathew Wolf Ann Wolf Ceron Katie Brass Ann Doggett Host John Thrash John Rigas Host Becca Cason Thrash Pat Burk Sara Dodd Toast of New Bond Street First, it was dinner chez John and Becca Cason Thrash, who were just in from Zurich, where they now divide their time. An enviable assemblage of guests dined amidst a profusion of deep purple orchids (the hue of Asprey's signature packaging) in the Thrashes' Memorial home atrium, which doubles as a natatorium. Asprey designer Shaun Leane and rarediamond expert Philip Baldwin were on hand with detailed descriptions of the collection, including the new Storm suite of necklaces and earrings that swirl with diamonds. Asprey chairman John Rigas offered an overview of the brand's noted history. Since its founding in 1781, Asprey has created crowns, coronets and scepters for royals around the world and has received a Royal Warrant from every monarch since Queen Victoria. Cheering the four C's: Asprey managing director Paddy Byng, Darcy Rigas, Pat Breen, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel, Diane Marita Lokey Farb, John Evatz, Ann and Mathew Wolf, Fairbanks Kathryn and Jeff Smith, Joyce and Hugh Echols, Estela Cockrell, Greggory and Pat Burk, Courtney and Jason Fertitta, Ceron, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Rosemarie Johnson, Raquel and Andrew Segal, Sara Dodd, and Greg Fourticq Jr. Greg Fourticq Jr. Jason Fertitta John Evatz Courtney Fertitta Andrew Segal Doris Cantrell Shaun Leane Phoebe Tudor Raquel Segal Small talk in tall spaces Jewel-Box Luncheon The next day, Ann Wolf opened her River Oaks home for a luncheon where Asprey admirers got down to the business of aspiring and acquiring. Designer Shaun Leane walked the ladies through the pieces in the recently debuted Woodland collection. (Does it get much better than a charm bracelet with English flora rendered in enamel, diamonds and gold? We think not.) Imaginative display saw the exquisite pieces arranged in terrariums, atop hollowed logs and draped across fresh moss. Lunch was served in the dining room, where dazzling de Gournay cherry-blossom wallpaper and round tables set with hydrangea, peonies, hybrid roses and devastatingly beautiful blanc de chine figures made for a magical afternoon. Sold: Chesie Breen, Alex Knight, Courtney Sarofim, Marita Fairbanks, Christina Girard, Judith Oudt, Phoebe Tudor, Terri Havens, and Cabrina Owsley. Lori Wulfe Ellen Niven Host Ann Wolf Gretchen McFarland Alex Knight Charmed