TAPP_Tappers Accent Cover_Spring Summer 2011219.qxp:TAPP_ 3/22/12 6:04 PM Page 1 ACCENT/THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS o SPRING/SUMMER 2012 INSIDE: MEET CELEBRATE MARCO SPRING! BICEGO Fashion Favorites Watchmaking: The Next Generation Last Bid for Love TTAPP_.inddAPP_.indd CC002002 33/11/12/11/12 11:25:25 PM SOMERSET COLLECTION, TROY ORCHARD MALL, WEST BLOOMFIELD TWELVE OAKS MALL, NOVI DEARFRIENDS, As spring breathes new life into the world around us, we at Tapper’s are reflecting on the exciting new opportunities that lie ahead for our business. Next month, we will be introducing a new brand concept, Marlee’s by Tapper’s, which will open in Twelve Oaks Mall with a focus on sophisticated, stylish, high- quality women’s accessories at a very appealing price point. This issue features a special introduction to Marlee’s written by Marla Tapper Young and Leora Tapper, the faces and voices behind the new venture. The vibrant hues of spring flowers beginning to peek through the frozen ground are mirrored by the beautiful new designs in fine jewelry, precision timepieces and gifts that you will find in the pages of Accent and at all three Tapper’s locations. Bursting with color and sparkle, you will find a dazzling array of choices as you look for gifts that will Mark the Moment® of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the many graduations that take place at this time of the year. We recently “sprung forward,” setting our watches to Daylight Savings Time. In this issue of Accent, we are excited to present a special section devoted to the design and history of some of the most prestigious and trendsetting watch brands in the world, all of which you can find at Tapper’s. Enjoy your journey through Accent and by all means, please take some time to smell the flowers as they begin to bloom! Sincerely, Howard Tapper Steven TapperMark Tapper Marla Tapper Young 1 TTAP_Spring12_Letter.inddAP_Spring12_Letter.indd 1 33/9/12/9/12 88:50:50 AM 18_content+mastheads - Q6.qxp:ACCENT 3/28/12 12:46 PM Page TAP2 Contents spring/summer 2012 DIAMONDS & FINE JEWELRY WEST BLOOMFIELD ORCHARD MALL 337 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 PHONE: (248) 932-7700 FAX: (248) 932-7717 NOVI TWELVE OAKS MALL 27716 NOVI ROAD NOVI, MI 48377 26 PHONE: (248) 465-1800 FAX: (248) 465-1818 TROY SOMERSET COLLECTION NORTH 2800 WEST BIG BEAVER TROY, MI 48084 PHONE: (248) 649-2000 FAX: (248) 649-5076 WWW.TAPPERS.COM CEO FEATURES HOWARD TAPPER 1 Welcome Letter PRESIDENT MARK TAPPER 4 Community VICE PRESIDENTS STEVEN TAPPER 6 Spotlight: Leading the Tapper’s Team MARLA TAPPER YOUNG 8 Happenings CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JEFFREY GARDEN 10 Introducing Marlee’s by Tapper’s CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ROBERT HUTTER 12 Best Bets COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER 22 Designers: Marco Bicego KARYNNE NAFTOLIN GRAPHIC DESIGNER 24 Designers: Penny Preville TRACIE VOLETTI 26 Profile: Forevermark PUBLISHED BY THE BJI FASHION GROUP 28 Profile: John Hardy PUBLISHER 30 Red Carpet STU NIFOUSSI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 32 Trends: Renewal KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN 50 Perfect Gems CREATIVE DIRECTOR HANS GSCHLIESSER 54 Spirits: Gin Blossoms MANAGING EDITOR JILLIAN LAROCHELLE 56 Wellness: Haute Healthcare PROJECT MANAGER 58 Travel: Eco-Immersion LISA MONTEMORRA DESIGNERS 60 End Page: Last Bid for Love CYNTHIA LUCERO, JEAN-NICOLE VENDITTI PRODUCTION MANAGER PEG EADIE WATCH SECTION PRESIDENT AND CEO BRITTON JONES 36 Watches at Tapper’s CHAIRMAN AND COO 38 Watchmaking: Lititz Watch Technicum MAC BRIGHTON Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on size, quality and availability. Jewelry has been 42 Winders: Winding it Up enlarged to show detail. Due to the fluctuating prices of dia- monds, gold and platinum, prices are subject to change. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information 46 Profile: Michele Watches in this magazine, we are not responsible for errors or omissions. Copyright 2012. Accent® is published by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550, Norwalk, CT 06856, 203-853-6015 • Fax: 203-852- FOREVERMARK DIAMOND NECKLACE. COVER ILLUSTRATION BY DARIA JABENKO. 48 Collecting: Time on His Side 8175; Advertising Office: 1384 Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-686-4412 • Fax: 212-686-6821; All Rights Reserved. The pub- lishers accept no responsibilities for advertisers’ claims, unsolicit- ed manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Volume 10, Issue 1. Accent® is a trademark of Business 2 Journals, Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. Printed In The U.S.A. IIppolita.inddppolita.indd 1 33/10/12/10/12 111:321:32 AM COMMUNITY TAPPER’S 20TH ANNUAL Coats were distributed to many organizations, including Orchards Children’s Services, the Detroit Housing COAT DRIVE Commission, Detroit Public Schools, Baldwin Church Center, Grace Centers for Hope, Mercy Primary Care This year, Tapper’s annual coat drive surpassed any previous Center and Kids Kicking Cancer. year’s goals by collecting and distributing close to 4,000 warm winter coats, gloves, hats, scarves and boots. This substantial increase in our totals was due in large part to a partnership with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s Birmingham, MAKING TIME Bloomfield Hills and Troy offices, whose employees raised FOR A GOOD money internally and presented Tapper’s with a check for CAUSE $16,018.20 to be used to purchase coats and other winter weather clothing items. In addition to funds raised by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney employees, Tapper’s customers donated hundreds of coats and made cash donations towards the coat drive. Steven Tapper reflected on the generosity of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, as well as all of the customers and community members who supported the Tapper’s Coat Drive. “Every person who helped this coat drive, by collecting coats, donating money or going through their own closets, should realize that they made a tremendous difference in people’s “Making Time for a Good Cause” is a Tapper’s charitable lives this winter. Every child who is now walking to school initiative which provides complimentary simple watch with a coat, hat and gloves knows that someone cares about battery changes in exchange for a suggested minimum them, really cares, that they be warm and comfortable in donation ($10) to charity*. The program benefits a different the cold – that is the real gift.” charity every quarter. Since the program’s inception almost two years ago, Tapper’s has raised thousands of dollars for causes such as Kids Kicking Cancer, the Detroit Public Schools, Tapper’s Coat Drive, the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “Springing forward” is the perfect opportunity to change your watch batteries and take advantage of this wonderful program, so gather your watches* together and head into any one of Tapper’s three locations to “make time for a good cause.” *Limit three watches per customer please. 4 TTAPP_.pdfAPP_.pdf P0P00404 33/26/12/26/12 11:19:19 PM JoJohnHardy.inddhnHardy.indd 1 33/10/12/10/12 111:341:34 AM SPOTLIGHTLEADING THE TAPPER’S TEAM One of the reasons that Tapper’s is able to provide such a high level of service to its clients is the company’s devotion to recruiting leaders in the field of luxury sales and service. “To be a part of the Tapper’s team,” explains Mark Tapper, President of Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, “you have to be a truly exceptional human being. We will accept nothing less than extraordinary from our team, because we want to provide that to our clients.” PAUL RUJAN Manager, Tapper’s Somerset Collection. Five years with Tapper’s. The only member of the managerial triumvirate who hails from Michigan, Paul began his career at Tapper’s managing the company’s Twelve Oaks store, going on to become the first manager at the Somerset location which opened in 2010. A huge Detroit Lions fan, Paul came to Tapper’s with 23 years of sales, training and managerial experience, and he brings excitement, dedication and knowledge to his team every day. Paul continually expresses his appreciation for the fact that at Tapper’s, the primary focus is on providing excellent service to clients. “I am very passionate about what I do and really enjoy having fun with our clients, making sure that their experience at Tapper’s is uniquely wonderful.” ROBERT ARTELT Manager, Tapper’s West Bloomfield. Two years with Tapper’s. Robert Artelt joins the Tapper’s management team with extensive experience in the world of luxury goods and service — as former Senior Vice President of Retail and Marketing for Mikimoto and Director of Fine Art Sales for Princess, Cunard and Holland America cruise lines. Having grown up in Chicago, joining Tapper’s brings Robert back to his Midwest roots, and he, his wife and daughter now call Michigan home. While in Chicago, Robert’s passion for charitable work was evident through his work with the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago chapter of U.N.I.C.E.F., the M.S. Society and the Girl Scouts. When he’s not working and building relationships with his clients, Robert notes that “while music, dance and the arts keep our family busy [his wife is an opera singer], football is our favorite pastime.” Robert’s family follows college teams and, of course, the Detroit Lions. “Tapper’s is a wonderful family and organization,” says Robert, “which enables me to bring my worldwide experience not only to the company but to each of my clients, as well.” ROBERT VIOLANTE Manager, Tapper’s Twelve Oaks Mall.