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Roosevelt Field is a pop up store which focuses on shoes and accessories. They are not a full fledge Hermes store, but more of a trial run for corporate to see if that area could support a full store in the future. If you’re hoping for bags, this is not the location to build a relationship.
It's already closed. Corporate purchased the remaining inventory a few days ago. For the last few months, my theory has been that they will be bringing the Roosevelt Field staff over to Manhasset to run it...I have heard from some of my best sources that this is true, but also that the RF staff has not been told this yet, so technically it's still my theory.
Heck, they might as well get their names in the system now, maybe they can buy B/K/Cs in, say, 15 years or so...), who I knew from her prior job at the VCA at Manhasset, also speaks fluent Chinese, and the Manhasset SA was not retained...which would work with my theory. Further, I follow Hermès on LinkedIn and I have not seen any job listings for RF yet. The staff at RF is wonderful all around, and it's always been said to me that the store is a "pop-up" and not permanent.
Best wishes and congratulations on your improving health
Doable, but I would adjust your time line or disregard it totally. Nothing to do with prespend, but rather with merchandise availability. I doubt that Madison ordered much if any of size 32 or 35 KB.
The store has a hard time getting what they did order. I’ve been waiting literally two years for oxymore glassware (I did double check with DH and my SA, and it was ordered and paid for. A friend waited almost a year and a half for her H mosaic plates. She still has not received her teapot or cups. The Bleu alliers line seems to have halted production, due to inability to source cobalt, and soleil is not easy to find in stock.
This year is the 100 anniversary of the 1923 bolide 30, and I asked my SA how hard it was to get a simple bolide 31. He looked in the system and said there was only one bolide in black this year. The only other bolides are size 25 or mini bags. I have a feeling that it will take a long time to get a larger 32 or 35 in any bag. There is also some shortage of fine gold jewelry, IDKW. I’m sure an SA would be happy to try to get you what you want, but if Madison doesn’t have it, another location will have to transfer it or do a charge send.
Especially with the economy, I was told that individual boutiques are focusing on bringing in merchandise that they know will sell. I’m a RTW client, and my SA said that they didn’t even buy a double breasted leather pea coat bc apparently NY clients like trim, slim leather jackets.
IMO, it’s more important to visit the boutiques and get a feel for the staff and the atmosphere. I would go to Madison early on a weekday if you can do that bc it’s less crowded, but you should also try Meatpacking which has a reputation for laid back, very sweet staff. I wish you the best of luckI’ve also heard terrible things about DC.
ETA: it takes a while for an SA to open up and be easy about text inquiries, charge send, etc. So, in the beginning, or the first year, try to shop in person. If you find an SA you like, I would be very open about the fact that you would like to change your home store from DC to NY. IMO only, SAs get tired of hearing requests for BKC all the time, and they may not engage fully with you until they ascertain whether you will be a regular client who will shop more than first floor occasional customers or even whether you will disappear altogether once you get bag in hand.
@nikotama, re your comment below, it sounds like your DC SA was very open to helping you, so that’s another factor to keep in mind.* It’s always more convenient to have a local SA. Re 28K is much more doable than a 25 anything. If you have not tried these sizes on, I would suggest visiting TRR or Fashionphile to try them on. Then take photos of yourself, full body, at the same distance, so you can compare. A 32 is significantly heavier than a 28. A 35 more so. And depth of the bag makes a difference. Should you wish a jypserie, I have heard that those are also incredibly heavy. All of these bags, with some sleuthing, are available, at a discount at resellers. If you go that route, authenticate before purchase via @bababebi , choose a reseller, with a stellar record, not TRR, that takes returns and pay with PayPal, backed with cc like AMEX. Never use bank wire or a debit card.
BTW, a friend of mine wanted to use a 32 or 35 to carry a small laptop or larger iPad. (I loaned her some bags to test drive for several months. If this is a reason why you want a larger size, I would recommend switching to a double sens, a sellier shoulder bag, a mens satchel, or the very different (not at all like the regular evelyn : an Evelyne sellier 33. This is bc there is the real danger that the weight will rip out the shoulder pads attaching the handle to the body of a larger kelly. Or, damage the spine.
* there is the category of small client that every SA used to have. The bulk of a SAs roster are heavy spenders, and those are usually allocated hard to find, super desirable items. But, if an SA has some of those clients who already have a significant amount of BKC, it might be occasionally possible for that SA to save a QB (not a coveted small that require intense SM approvals) for a client who spends less, but who is relaxed, pleasant, easy going, and simply a pleasure to work with. I have a feeling that those smaller clients are becoming fewer and harder to find. But, those perhaps account for the few remaining exceptions to prespend in major Madison’s and flagships. Under certain circumstances, an SA may very well prefer a smaller client who is honest about her eventual bag goals and happy to wait a bit
Honestly @880 I love your posts. Even though I already know most of this information, the way you explain it all is so good!I’m so sad DH and I will miss this. But, he was like, why that location? We’re not hipsters
@Jill N, my SA told me that madison is not ordering large sized bags (for example, a 31 bolide is now considered large, and there was only one of them from Jan- April in the 1923 Bolide’s centenary year). So I agree with @acrowcounted in that Madison most likely has not seen an Evelyne 33 or even many PMs in quite some time. It seems NYers are only asking for TPMs. There are comparison threads with plenty of action shots for GMs on TPF if you do a search.
When you are next in NY, the newly opened Madison has a very helpful concierge desk that will pair you with an SA. I tend to wander around a new store and see if I like anything enough to try on. Someone will eventually approach. Madison SAs tend to be a bit reticent which can be interpreted as unwelcoming, but I would not say any are ill mannered.
@greenwich01 , you can read the prespend thread (it will pop up on a search) but generally anywhere from 2X-5X plus. There are exceptions, but if you’ve already spent 1X in your location, it’s up to you if you want to start over. From my reading these threads, in the US, prespend seems to exclude leather and yield best results with RTW, FJ, or Home.
Of course an SA will order for their clients, but they are happiest when a prospective client is sincerely interested in purchasing items currently on the floor. IMO that is the bedrock of a great relationship. Well, plus being easy going and patient and generally pleasant.
This is the classic (not only H) way of answering multiple questions at the same time. Is the location ( and the associated clientele) worth the investment? Are any of the SAs we hired for RF ( and the person who was moved there to be the SM) good and worth the investment? Did they cultivate the type of client who will make the transition from RF ( with no high end purchase items) to Manhasset, where they hope/plan to do quite well.
Honestly @880 I love your posts. Even though I already know most of this information, the way you explain it all is so good!
When a luxury watch company terminates its relationships with third party authorized dealers and begins to open or expand the range of its own boutiques, I almost feel that the AD’s loyal clients of the luxury brand are left hanging. They are neither fish nor fowl, and they are often not ’grandfathered’ or folded into into the boutique clientele. What do you all think will happen to the VIP and other clients of the former Manhasset staff? Not sure I recall what happened when H took over other franchises like KOP. Will these clients have to build anew?
you may have been invited if you expressed some interest in mens RTW. Your SA typically has a certain number of clients he can nominate for an invite. I think it’s supposed to be a fashion show and after party ( I didn’t pay close attention to the invite bc we are not able to attend. You don’t have to wear H RTW or bags, but I would personally not wear heavily branded items from another house, like a Dior or chanel emblazoned with logos. There is no overt pressure or obligation to buy, however, your SA May ask if there is anything you liked. (If you liked something but are waiting to see pricing, I think it’s fine to say that. for example many clients were shocked at the increase in shearling prices. It’s also fine when having a conversation with you SA to say, I like x, but not for y price. Or I want to purchase q because r price is exceptional, etc. It’s a good data point for your SA to have ). You can ask your SA when/if items will be available for purchase, but expect a very vague response. Some items from runway never make it into production
Maybe try to make an appointment online or calling the boutique then requesting your SA ( if you would like to continue working with that SA).
Sounds great. Since I’m new I wasn’t sure what the etiquette was but I will try this. Thank you!
Although the store is temporary - the SA’s are not. My SA currently works at the Roosevelt location - and she is probably the best SA I have ever worked with. With a bit of patience- she has has gotten me everything I have asked for. I’ll never leave her !!
Any idea why the Manhasset store closed? I was just there a few weeks ago and while the stock seemed to be rather low, nothing else there made me think it was closing. Will it be opening back up? I would think that location would not be a struggle to stay open. Then again, I haven't been privvy to the scuttlebutt on it either so perhaps there is another reason for the closing
See posts 3,441 and 3,444 by @Notorious Pink and @880. They explain what’s happening with Manhasset. Hermes has been gradually taking back franchise stores for several years and they finally got around to taking back the Manhasset franchise.
