Neiman Marcus Dallas, has began mailing the 2002 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book today. In addition, the 160-page Book is being unveiled today at the Dunn and Brown Contemporary Gallery in Dallas.
First published in 1926 as a 16-page booklet, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book originally was intended as a Christmas card to its best customers. Through the decades, the catalog has evolved into the ultimate wish book, an alluring compilation of the world’s most elegant and imaginative gifts.
“The 2002 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book…marks the start of the holiday season for millions when it arrives in homes,” said Karen Katz, president and CEO of Neiman Marcus Direct. “The book’s cover design gives off the warm, welcoming feeling that we associate with the holidays, and inside is a delightful wonderland of gifts, many of which will take your breath away. We think it’s an experience our customers will find especially appealing this year.”
Building on 76 years of tradition, the 2002 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book features some of the most awe-inspiring fantasy gifts to date. Among the jewelry items featured are:
* A jeweled collar. Master Italian jewelers have matched and attached more than 60 cts. of white diamonds to a lacy, 18-kt., white gold framework, highlighted by a centerpiece, pear-shaped diamond drop of 7 cts. The company says that these diamonds are so rare that only one collar has been created, and only one more can be made. (Diamond Collar, $300,000; Diamond Collar with Centerpiece Drop Diamond, $550,000).
* A butterfly brooch designed by famed jeweler Gianmaria Buccellati. It is handcrafted of 18-kt. gold and precious stones by Buccellati artisans in Milan. It features two natural Tahitian pearls of 15mm and 10mm, and more than 5 cts. of diamonds set into a delicate gold framework ($120,000).
* The Trilogy of Bears series. Master jeweler Henry Dunay creates intimate scenes of natural beauty, handcrafted from the rarest precious metals and stones. Each piece begins with a base of clear quartz crystal.
“Bears at Play” ($240,000) shows a family in platinum, etched with Dunay’s signature Sabi style of texturing. It features an 827-ct. carved aquamarine crystal with more than 8 cts. of diamonds accenting the piece.
In “South Pole,” ($120,000) a peaceful midnight sun of 18-karat gold shines over a 155.6-carat aquamarine glacier, with platinum and 4.4 carats of pavé diamond snow.
“North Pole” ($$140,000) features an 18-karat gold sun rising on a platinum bear and a 121-carat aquamarine glacier. His 18-karat gold catch, fresh out of the ocean, lies on a snowdrift; 4.27 carats of diamonds accent the piece.
* Pavé ball earrings ($650), a 1.24 ct. four-strand necklace ($2,450), a .3 ct. heart enhancer ($985), a .27 ct. pavé tip bracelet ($990), a .16 ct. station bracelet ($695), and a .28 ct. buckle bracelet ($1,195) from David Yurman’s Silver Ice Collection, handcrafted of sterling silver, 18-kt. gold, and pavé diamonds.
* A five-cross bracelet with mother-of-pearl, pink tourmaline, and turquoise set in 18-kt gold and sterling silver ($1,245). A Turquoise, 18-kt. gold, and sterling silver cross bracelet ($365). And an 18-kt. gold and silver cross bracelet ($330). All bracelets were handmade in Greece with garnet-tipped toggle clasps on 7.5-inch sterling silver bracelets.
* Turquoise, 18-kt. gold, and sterling silver handmade bracelet ($1,580) along with matching pendant, silver chain and clip earrings.
* Women’s Italian fine watches, including a 1-ct. diamond round watch with red leather strap ($1,890); A 2-ct. diamond rectangular watch with hot pink leather strap ($2,600); And a Pavé watch, with 4 cts of diamonds and black grosgrain strap ($3,690).
Other items in the catalog include “His and Her” personalized sized action figures, a Neiman Marcus limited edition Cadillac XLR, and a Burberry London Taxi.
Each year, Neiman Marcus selects a deserving organization as the charity that will benefit from sales of selected items in the Book. For the 2002 holiday season, a percentage of proceeds from cover art-inspired items on pages four through 13 will be awarded to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Some cover art items include silver-plated snow globe bottle stoppers, a Lulu Guinness beaded and embroidered handbag, hand-stitched and monogrammed needlepoint stockings, and Texas-size candy-studded marshmallow treats in a keepsake tin.
The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book will be distributed to close to two million homes in the United States and abroad, the company says. The Neiman Marcus Web site, www.meimanmarcus.com , will feature the entire Christmas Book online, making it possible for customers to order their holiday gifts right from the site. Subscriptions to the 2002 Christmas Book can be ordered for $15 by calling 1-800-NEIMANS (634-6267).
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