Leon Mege Custom Design Question

[Piglet9j7]

Hello all!

I''m interested in having a ring commissioned by Leon. I''ve seen a design on his website that I like, but I am also absolutely CERTAIN I have seen his very work at a high end retail store in Manhattan. I really like the look of the work he has done for this store, and I am wondering if it would be acceptable to mention this store when I go to meet with Leon. Do you think he would respond negatively to bringing up the name of the store? I think it could help in the overall outcome of the design.

Those of you that have worked with Leon and have more experience, what do you think??

 

[DiamondFlame]

Well, if you have already seen the design on his website I don''t really see the need to bring up the store. And I''m not sure how it will help in the overall outcome of the design. I haven''t had the privilege of having a ring designed by Leon but I hear he''s a pretty busy guy...

 

[angeline]

Date: 3/25/2009 2:33:44 PM
Author:Piglet9j7
Hello all!


I''m interested in having a ring commissioned by Leon. I''ve seen a design on his website that I like, but I am also absolutely CERTAIN I have seen his very work at a high end retail store in Manhattan. I really like the look of the work he has done for this store, and I am wondering if it would be acceptable to mention this store when I go to meet with Leon. Do you think he would respond negatively to bringing up the name of the store? I think it could help in the overall outcome of the design.


Those of you that have worked with Leon and have more experience, what do you think??

He does do work for other jewelers. In fact I had the impression that that was the majority of his business. He mentioned doing work for Harry Winston to me once.

 

[Piglet9j7]

The reason I would consider bringing up the name of the store is the fact that I have seen what i am certain is his work, in person in this establishment. I like the finish and design of the rings he has done for this store, as opposed to the rings on his website, which i will not have the opportunity to exmine in real life before spending a huge chunk of hard earned cash on having a ring made.

Let me be clear- I love the work on his website, but I would like to give an example to him of something I have seen in person.

I want know if it is inappropriate to bring up a retail store''s name, if he would take offense to this. The retail store clearly doesn''t want me to know who does their work.

 

[lucyandroger]

Date: 3/25/2009 4:51:45 PM
Author: Piglet9j7
The reason I would consider bringing up the name of the store is the fact that I have seen what i am certain is his work, in person in this establishment. I like the finish and design of the rings he has done for this store, as opposed to the rings on his website, which i will not have the opportunity to exmine in real life before spending a huge chunk of hard earned cash on having a ring made.

Let me be clear- I love the work on his website, but I would like to give an example to him of something I have seen in person.

I want know if it is inappropriate to bring up a retail store''s name, if he would take offense to this. The retail store clearly doesn''t want me to know who does their work.

I don''t have any experience with Leon so nothing to offer there. But I don''t understand why it would be inappropriate to point to an example of his work, whether he sold it to a retail store or an individual client? I guess I just don''t understand what he would take offense to unless you''re not sure that it was his work that you saw...

 

[Blinginator]

Having just commissioned a project with Leon, I don''t think he would be offended at all by mentioning certain design elements you would want to incorporate into your custom ring, his or anyone else''s. I would provide pics of the ring if you can.

 

[Blinginator]

Also, you probably don''t want to just assume it is his work that you saw, if it''s his work he''ll tell you.

 

[Piglet9j7]

I am 100% positive that the rings I was shown at this store are his work. I think it would help tremendously in the design of my ring if I was able to mention this store''s name and explain that I wanted my ring to look like the one I saw at that store. I could provide a picture from the store''s website. I just don''t want Leon to get upset if I mention the store''s name, because I am essentially "outting" him as their craftsman. Not that I have spread the word - I will leave the name of the store annoynomous.

 

[Piglet9j7]

Date: 3/25/2009 3:00:46 PM
Author: DiamondFlame
Well, if you have already seen the design on his website I don''t really see the need to bring up the store. And I''m not sure how it will help in the overall outcome of the design. I haven''t had the privilege of having a ring designed by Leon but I hear he''s a pretty busy guy...

Seeing a ring in person and seeing a picture of a ring on a website are two completely different things. I feel more comfortable picking a design from something I have seen in person, and given that I have seen his work in person, I would rather refer to that and then use the pics on the website as assistance in creating my design.

 

[lucyandroger]

Date: 3/25/2009 6:11:20 PM
Author: Piglet9j7
I am 100% positive that the rings I was shown at this store are his work. I think it would help tremendously in the design of my ring if I was able to mention this store's name and explain that I wanted my ring to look like the one I saw at that store. I could provide a picture from the store's website. I just don't want Leon to get upset if I mention the store's name, because I am essentially 'outting' him as their craftsman. Not that I have spread the word - I will leave the name of the store annoynomous.

Just go ahead and tell him about the ring you saw and liked.

You're not "outting" him if it is just a conversation between you and him. Plus, it's no secret that he does work for various stores. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, that's the majority of the work he does. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Blinginator]

I agree, just mention the ring, provide pics, provide the name of the place where you saw it.

 

[Piglet9j7]

Okay, I will go in with the stock number from the website, and also a picture from the store in question''s website. I will also mention the store''s name and that I really liked the finish of the rings at this store.

If anyone thinks this is a bad idea - that Leon will respond negatively - speak now or forever hold your peace! I will be very sad if this goes all wrong!

Thanks!

 

[whitby_2773]

just so you know, piglet...

i''m not sure where you''re planning on meeting him, but if it''s in his NY office - that''s right in the middle of his workshop - so seeing examples of his work (which pretty much line the walls when you walk in) won''t be difficult. if you want to show him something you''ve seen in real life which you like, i''m pretty sure he''ll be able to trot it out for you.

 

[Circe]

Hm ... I don''t have any hands-on experience with Leon, but from what I''ve read on this site, he can be ... touchy. Also, while his work is *gorgeous,* I don''t know if it''s necessarily distinctive enough to be his and his alone (unlike Dweck or Yurman or Kieselstein Cord or pick-the-artist-who-has-a-LOOK-of-your-choice, LM does a number of styles ... all superlatively, but aside from holding a very high standard, I don''t know if I can pinpoint a single thing he does that other jewelers don''t do as well). It would be damned embarrassing if you said, "I love the work you did for ____! I knew it was you right away!" and he deadpans you and says he has no idea what you''re talking about ... or worse, says you''ve confused him with his worst rival.

Wait and see what he has to show you in person, and if you still like what you saw in the store more, mention that you''re aiming for something similar, but don''t assume off the cuff. Just my two cents ....