Spoilt for choice in fine jewellery stakes
A LL together now . . . 'On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me - one Asprey bracelet . . . two Chaumet brooches . . .' The tai-tais are going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas prezzies, what with Parisian jeweller Chaumet opening its glittering show at the Mandarin's Ivy Room today (10.30 am-7 pm through to Saturday) just as Asprey's of London a few floors above is bringing theirs to a close.
When Keeping Posted looked in on Chaumet we caught sight of former Hong Kong resident Bruno Stackler, now Chaumet's international director based in France, looking as if he was about to buy something for Claudia Shaw d'Auriol who is expecting her second child in two weeks time.
As it happens, sparkling Claudia is acting as co-ordinator for the show - and no jeweller could ask for a more radiant ambassador than her.
Said Stackler: 'Claudia is helping me out as a friend and I am so grateful to her, especially seeing as she is heavily pregnant.
'At Chaumet we like to do things with a touch of elegance and Claudia provides us with a good starting point in Hong Kong.' On account of his French matinee idol looks Stackler - happily married with five children - is quite popular among our socialite classes from the days when he was based here with a Cognac firm.
He told us that Chaumet was hoping to open a showroom in Hong Kong before long - although, we suspect, his socialite friends are more interested in knowing when he might be moving back to town.
But he did impart some good news for them: 'Tell all my friends that we have some quite affordable pieces - and that I might even give them a generous discount.' Sounds like an offer they won't be able to refuse.
