L e t t e r f r o m t h e C EO
“Jewelry is a very personal thing…it should tell a story about the person who’s wearing it.”
G arance D oré
Our paths intersect with those of others on an innumerable basis. However, on the rarest and luckiest of occasions, a person can come into our lives with the power to change us in big and small ways.
All of us at NOAG hope that as you turn the pages of the catalogue, you will have fun imagining what pieces are you or could be you, and then bidding on a special piece or two that will tell the world your story.
In 2006, one of those chance encounters happened to me. It was at a luncheon, and out of a brief, casual introductory conversation grew one of my most cherished and impactful friendships. This woman is notable in literary, cultural and political circles. She has been portrayed in a movie; she hosted a talk show; she authored a book; and she counts international aristocrats and dignitaries among her friends.
In addition to our vast array of glittering, fantastic and oneof-a-kind jewelry pieces, we are hosting the renowned jeweler Matthew Campbell Laurenza. Matthew’s jewelry collection launched in 2007 in a vast array of high-end retailers and today the brand is in 36 markets and sold through more than 100 retailers worldwide.
Despite her diminutive stature, I think of her as strikingly tall. No doubt this perception is because when she enters a room, she fills it with her commanding presence – all loveliness, confidence and graciousness. One notable memory occurred during a trip together in London. While staying at the beautiful, historic Claridge's hotel, my friend entered the foyer. The concierge turned to me and somewhat wistfully said, there goes the most elegant, stylish woman he had ever met. And I’ve no doubt many others have thought the same of her. When she wears jewelry, she wears statement pieces– large items that are truly eye catching. I have wondered through the years how this petite woman carries off these large jewelry items so fabulously. One day her magic formula came to me: her gems merely complement all that she is. She sparkles with style. She demonstrates that jewelry is at its best when it is personal. As we are all different, so is the jewelry we choose. We purchase jewelry to celebrate occasions like an engagement, anniversary, graduation or a moment in time we want to keep special forever. And sometimes we buy jewelry for the way it makes us feel, or simply because we love it.
Matthew, who is committed to supporting education, designed a unique jeweled box (lot 268) which will be auctioned with the proceeds benefitting To Educate All Children (TEACH). TEACH is a Houston-based non-profit founded in 2005 by myself and lifelong educator Mary Yenik, providing educators with intensive training in deescalation and conflict resolution to promote calmer and more productive classrooms, to decrease disciplinary referrals and to improve student achievement. All of us at TEACH would like to thank Matthew and NOAG for making this from the heart contribution to ensure that school is a safe, calm place of learning for every student. Please join us for a fabulous auction and to meet Matthew in person. We assure you, a good time will be had by all! See you for the preview party on Thursday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m. And finally, in this season of Thanksgiving, all of at NOAG extend our warmest appreciation to you for your support of New Orleans Auction Galleries. We hope your holiday is filled with the joy of friendship and family!