Wedgewood and the Duchess

Tuesday Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York was in Bloomingdale's in White Plains, New York to present the 'magic' of Wedgwood. Your faithful Muse was in the audience so I thought I'd share the experience. When I arrived at the Bloomingdale's I checked to find the presentation was to be held on the third floor at 12:30 p.m. with the china signing on the fourth floor beginning at 1:00 p.m. After reaching the third floor, I checked in and chose a seat, all of which had Wedgwood Blue shopping bags filled with goodies, second row center next to a friendly looking woman named Julia. At Julia's suggestion, I headed to the china department to purchase the plate that I wished to have signed after the presentation - excellent advice.

It was nearly 11:30 a.m. when I took my seat. I began speaking to Julia who was a most delightful woman with a great interest in Sarah Ferguson. The next thing I know, the place is packed. A video about Wedgwood and its artisans was shown. At 12:30 Jeannette the Wedgwood marketing person came out and asked that all cell phones, pagers, etc. be turned off, yadda, yadda, yadda. Next a gentleman who was the VP of Bloomingdale's came onto the stage to thank everyone for coming and said how proud they were to be able to introduce Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York.

Sarah came bounding out in a FDNY baseball cap and a lovely suit. The restless crowd clapped loudly and a few people stood up. She opened by explaining that the cap was for sale in Bloomingdale's along with other FDNY items and that 100% of the proceeds would be given to a fund set up to provide for the education of the children of the FDNY who lost a parent in the September 11th Tragedy. She told about how the offices for her Chances for Children charity were in the building through Cantor Fitzgerald and how though they lost everything, she felt grateful to have had the two people who manned the office traveling with her that fateful morning. She said it was proof that we have to live for today. She told of how people told her she couldn't continue her Wedgwood tour as it would be in poor taste. She said she thought it was a great opportunity to share with people how precious a gift life is and how we need to take the time to enjoy life and the loved ones that fill it. She segued into how we should be using our Wedgwood china and not hoarding it for tomorrow because we've got to enjoy the moment.

Then she brought the Wedgwood Designer, Sarah, out of the audience. She had designed Sarah's Garden, the Duchesses favorite Wedgwood pattern for everyday. Wedgwood Sarah gave some history about the company and about how she came to design the pattern. Then Sarah Ferguson told how the dishes could add to the special bonding shared by families at breakfast and teatime.

Next she invited two young girls from the audience joking that you can never be to young to get started on Wedgwood. She gave them each a creamer filled with fresh flowers. Then she showed her special case that she travels with. In it is a tea set that Wedgwood gave her as a wedding present. She then invited two men onto the stage. Stating how strong bone china is she took one of the cups, turned it upside down and had the men stand on it. Then she took a cup and saucer off the table and gave it to them before they left the stage.
She next wanted to show the versatility of the product and took a large white plate with a platinum ring and placed a smaller dinner plate with a black and silver border on its center. Then she took another of the platinum trimmed white plates and put a plate rimmed with silver snowflakes against it. She said mixing and matching is how you can create your own brand of magic at dinner parties, etc. She told a story about Andrews 40th birthday party that she hosted at Sunninghill Park. She called Wedgwood and asked to borrow 100 place settings for the event. She mixed and matched and she said it was a great conversation starter as the guests sat for dinner.

She brought the presentation to a close with a reminder that we can never forget the tragedy, but we need to move on. Compared to the people in Afghanistan, Kosovo or other countries we have so much to be grateful for. We have food on the table several times a day. She told a story of a woman in India where she'd been filming a documentary that clearly had nothing. She told Sarah she wanted to make her a cup of tea. She handed it to her in a small cup that she had made out of clay. She asked Sarah to keep the cup. She said this woman had nothing but the sari on her back, but she had the desire to maintain her dignity even in such humbling conditions. Every one of us has so much to be thankful for and we need to spend time communicating with each other and appreciating the many blessings that we have. So don't save that china that you got for a wedding gift. Use it each day because life is a special gift and we'll be happier for celebrating it daily. Then she said, "Well that's it" took a bow and left the stage.

The announcement was made to head to the fourth floor if you had something you wanted to purchase or if you wanted to have any of your purchases signed. We got on line to wait for our signatures. Within 30 minutes I was at a long table where I turned over my plate so it could be washed off with Vodka in a spray bottle and dried before the signing.
A few minutes later I was ushered to the main table in front of a blonde woman who was sitting to the Duchess' right. The woman and I said "hello" and smiled while we waited for Sarah to finish signing for the person ahead of me. When he left I stepped to the side and said, "Hello! I have a gift for you from the keeper of your website. We had quite a chat last night about this event. I understand she's been to quite a few." Then the Duchess said "Thank you for coming" while looking straight past me. I turned to see what was so intriguing. It was a woman coming in the out line. She asked me my name without looking at me. "Eileen" I replied. She said, "E-I?" "That's correct." I replied. The woman was now next to the table and placing a black gym bag with a black sweater of lightweight jacket over it near to the table. "Lee, tell me you have good news." Sarah said to the woman. I looked down to find my plate was signed. I said thank you and walked away. It was all very quick and very bizarre.

I waited to hear about Julia's experience. Julia told Sarah that she had met her several times before in the World Trade Center. Sarah asked her if her talk had been helpful to her. Julia said yes and Sarah said she was glad.

Well readers, I think Sarah is a very vivacious woman who did a marvelous presentation and I think the Muse is not yet an on-the-scene reporter. Though I would definitely do it again, next time I'd wait until she was not distracted to finish the conversation - I say so assuredly now. ;-) Looking forward to hearing your comments.

All the best,