Swiss-based high-end luxury watch and jewelry company de Grisogono was all set to launch its line in New York on September 11, 2001, when the terrorist attacks that day changed the spirit of the occasion. These days brand president Fawaz Gruosi is promoting its new Madison Avenue flagship store by partnering with Giuseppe Cipriani to produce a concert series at Cipriani Wall Street with another connection to that fateful day. The series benefits the reconstruction of lower Manhattan through nonprofit organization Wall Street Rising.
On October 19, Mary J. Blige headlined the sixth of the seven shows in the Wall Street Concert Series. The R&B diva performed a full concert-length collection of her hits—in front of a band and a bevy of backup singers—while guests supped on eggplant Parmesan, roast rack of lamb, tiramisu, and copious champagne. The crowd of 600 was a mix of Gruosi’s and Cipriani’s clients, as well as guests of corporations who purchased tables for the series at costs ranging from $100,000 to $125,000—along with press and celebrities.
Beyoncé will perform in November to conclude the series—but de Grisogono is considering extending the partnership with Cipriani for another concert series next year. “The brand was totally unknown in New York before this,” Gruosi said. “Since the beginning of the series, sales have been better each month. We are doing extremely well—we are number one in sales in the jewelry department [at Bergdorf Goodman] after a year.”
—Alesandra Dubin
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On October 19, Mary J. Blige headlined the sixth of the seven shows in the Wall Street Concert Series. The R&B diva performed a full concert-length collection of her hits—in front of a band and a bevy of backup singers—while guests supped on eggplant Parmesan, roast rack of lamb, tiramisu, and copious champagne. The crowd of 600 was a mix of Gruosi’s and Cipriani’s clients, as well as guests of corporations who purchased tables for the series at costs ranging from $100,000 to $125,000—along with press and celebrities.
Beyoncé will perform in November to conclude the series—but de Grisogono is considering extending the partnership with Cipriani for another concert series next year. “The brand was totally unknown in New York before this,” Gruosi said. “Since the beginning of the series, sales have been better each month. We are doing extremely well—we are number one in sales in the jewelry department [at Bergdorf Goodman] after a year.”
—Alesandra Dubin
Related Stories
The Venue Q&A: Cipriani’s Arthur Backal
High Line Benefit Gives Guests Exclusive Gifts
Celebs Salute Bono at MusiCares

R&B singer Mary J. Blige performed onstage at Cipriani Wall Street for part six of the seven-part Wall Street Concert Series.