Hidden Gems: The Seven - The Couture Show (2024)

COUTURE: What’s notable about your store? What’s your unique point-of-view?

Camille Zarsky: I would say there’s much more of an emphasis on the experience verses pushing sales; we’re invested in this for the long term. I’m most interested in building a client roster of people who grow within our space rather than simply turning over quick sales. Jewelry buying is emotional, it’s much more of an emotional purchase than anything else, we don’t need jewelry. Jewelry is an emotional experience and an investment that is passed down through generations, so I wanted to create that experience where people really feel like what they’re looking for is homed in on.

The focus is less about “this goes with your outfit,” and more about what your life is like. We are committed to getting to know the client, getting to know their current collection and all of their jewelry desires and wishes. It’s almost like jewelry matchmaking where we are very focused on creating a one-of-a-kind experience for the customer and finding the special piece that’s right for them.

Every aspect of the store is imbued with emotion and represents such an important part of my life. We worked with Blake Brunson to design the space, and every part of the store was done by hand by some notable artisan in that field. The floors are hand-painted, each panel of the wallpaper is painted by hand and includes trees native to Texas, where I grew up, and Italy, where my mom is from. The little house where I grew up is also included as a reminder to me of where I came from.

So much of this space is who I am in every way and it’s so personal. The name, The Seven, pays homage to my late mom, who was one of seven sisters (Le Sette Sorelle), and serves as a reminder of their influence on my life and the support of my family to be independent and have my own perspective and not follow the masses.

COUTURE: What types of jewelry are your clients really responding to lately and why?

CZ: Spiritual pieces are a big thing right now that people are finding a connection with. Also, stones in bright colors are one of the things we’re known for and what people are seeking out; they’re trying to find pieces that spark something in them which is inherent to a lot of the collections that we carry.

Across the board with us, the most important thing they’re looking for is one-of-a-kind at any price point, they’re looking for things that are special, totally unique and really personal to them and their tastes and their desires as far as jewelry collecting goes. And of course, 18k yellow gold continues to be popular.

COUTURE: Where’s the best spot in town to grab a quick lunch?

CZ: I would say Buvette is a favorite of mine; I have a lot of brunches with people and that’s what I love about Buvette, it’s an easy place to go. I also love Pastis (I’m a bit old school on that front!), and Sushi on Jones is one of my favorite sushi places for lunch. All of these places are within walking distance from the store.

COUTURE: Where’s the best restaurant for entertaining clients or out of town guests?

CZ: St. Theo’s next door, I’m there way too often! It’s convenient, I like the food, everybody loves it because it’s a scene, so people like to gawk at everyone who comes in there, it’s amazing people watching.

COUTURE: What’s your favorite bar?

CZ: There’s a great wine bar in the building where I live, and I also like the old school places like Orient Express and Employees Only.

COUTURE: What’s your favorite local cultural spot?

CZ: The Whitney is great, that’s one of my favorite places. Growing up, my mom worked in the museum industry and that was a big part of my childhood. It’s so cool seeing the work of artists that sat at our dinner table in The Whitney. I’m a huge theater goer, I love going to the movies, but museums really are my thing.

The Whitney and MoMA are my two favorites and then the Guggenheim, but I also love The MET and The New Museum. And of course, the galleries in Chelsea, all of those spots, and Eva Presenhuber in NOHO on Great Jones (my best friend is a former Sales Director there). Another friend of mine opened Polina Berlin Gallery on the Upper East Side which is beautiful. I like to see art as much as possible! My downtime is spent out in Sag Harbor, any time I can take a break from the city, I’m out there any time of year.

COUTURE: What’s special about your town?

CZ: New York is where so much industry in this world originates, we’re on the pulse of anything new that’s happening, it’s such a collective of new innovators in every field, whether it’s jewelry, tech, finance, or fashion, and the art scene here is incredible. New York is the greatest city in the world. Everything you could possibly need or want is here, it’s home of the best of the best—the best pizza, the best Chinese food (…but not the best BBQ and the Mexican food here is the pits, don’t even, it’s a giant disappointment!).

Above all else, there’s so much opportunity here. I moved to this city a no-name girl from Houston, Texas with no connections and without an established family that had a network, the only people I knew were new burgeoning artists that my mom worked with and beyond that I didn’t know anyone. New York is a city of opportunity for really anyone, and I think New York is known for its opportunities. It is a town for second chances.

I also really I love the client stories I get in the store. There are so many mothers and daughters who buy joint gifts at the same time and that sets my heart on fire. I love it, it’s so special and so unique to learn about every customer and why they love a piece and what they were drawn to…there’s always a story. Every piece has a story.