The Holiday Season Starts Now

Why do I always feel the need to start each new month by saying to myself (and anyone within earshot), “Can you believe it’s already [insert month here]?”

Well, here we are — it’s November! Can you believe it? That means the holiday season has somehow crept up on us again. While Thanksgiving weekend is often seen as the cultural kickoff, retailers officially count their holiday sales from November 1 through December 31.

So, by my calendar, it’s officially begun, and I’m wishing you a season of unprecedented success over the next two months.

Catch my overview of what’s driving this year’s US holiday outlook in my latest piece for Solitaire International: Value and Luxury Poised to Drive US Holiday Sales

Campaigns I’m Watching

Several brands have taken the start of November as their cue to roll out fresh campaigns and collections.

Tiffany & Co. last week released Love Is a Gift, a 90-second holiday film that’s already racked up 4.4 million views on Instagram and over 3.5 million on YouTube. By the way, am I right in saying Tiffany used both AI-augmented and avatar versions of brand ambassador Anya Taylor-Joy in this production? If so, that says a lot about where brand collaborations are heading – both fascinating and somewhat daunting.

Meanwhile De Beers officially launched its ‘Origin’ retail brand in the US. Read what CEO Al Cook had to say about it in this LinkedIn post. For those De Beers connoisseurs out there asking the same question I am — how exactly is Origin different from Forevermark? — we’ll unpack that another time.

I’ll be spotlighting more campaigns in the coming weeks, and if you come across one worth mentioning, send it my way.

This blog first appeared in the October 13 Pressing Matters Executive Memo. Read the full memo here, Pressing Matters, featuring the following sections:

• In Focus: October News Roundup

• Chart Check: LVMH Jewelry & Watch Sales

• Industry Voices: Feriel Zerouki on sustainability

• Article I'm Trying to Understand

• Coming Up

• Pic of the Week: Sweater Prestige

The “Sweater Prestige” necklace by Chanel took home the top honor at the inaugural Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie in Monaco — an event celebrating international jewelry excellence, with awards recognizing creativity and craftsmanship. Part of Chanel’s 2024 Haute Joaillerie Sport collection, the piece features 11 emeralds totaling 37.18 carats, set in white gold, platinum, diamonds, emeralds, and onyx. Designed as a necklace-and-earrings ensemble, it can be worn six different ways. Image credit: Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie (www.gphj-monaco.com)