About Retail: An American takes on Paris

Lemoyne, Pa.--Across the pond it’s known as “Les interchangeables” but here in the United States, Susan Fotos has given it a name as simple as its construction: “The Paris Bracelet.”

The bracelet is the brainchild of Parisian designer Audrey Bot, who started out making bra straps that were indeed interchangeable and eventually arrived at this bracelet: a ribbon made in Japan--the same that is used as trim for a number of high-end clothing lines--set with Swarovski crystals and Elements in Paris.

Like popular lines such as Alex and Ani and Pandora, The Paris has a price point that will draw customers in time and again, retailing for $29 to $59.

“Alex and Ani and these kind of things are really popular, but who’s ever seen something like this?” Fotos asks. “I think this is something no one has had, and I think the time is right to offer something with sparkle, something easy, something fun.”

Fotos, who owns Higashi Jewelry and Eyewear in the Harrisburg, Pa. suburb of Lemoyne, first came across The Paris Bracelet in the summer of 2013 while attending “Who’s Next,” the Paris version of the ENK show.

She says she thought it was “cool” at the time but she wasn’t ready to act. The Euro still was really strong against the dollar and Bot was mobbed at her booth.

On a return trip to Paris, Fotos decided to move forward and placed a $1,200 order for The Paris Bracelet. She sold them all almost immediately, and Bot asked her to take on distribution for the bracelet in the U.S. market.

Since then, Fotos has brought Prime Jewelry Designs on board as her sales representative and has placed The Paris Bracelet at 176 stores. It has performed well there, and has done the same at her Pennsylvania shop.

She says of those stores that have had the bracelet the longest, since around Mother’s Day, 53 percent have re-ordered. In her store, the bracelets are producing repeat business. Mothers are returning to buy additional bracelets for their daughters, or customers are adding to their own collection in different colors.

“I think this could be the next big thing,” she says. “There’s something really that resonates with people.”

The Paris Bracelet is adjustable, which means they can be purchased for little girls performing in ballet recitals as well brides looking for something for their attendants