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By Michelle Crowe
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF OMEGA
OMEGA US Brand President Arnaud Michon, OMEGA Ambassador Cindy Crawford, CD Peacock Vice Chairman Steven Holtzman, CD Peacock Vice President of Top Client Engagement Qi Holtzman.
An extra ripple of excitement filled the air as the sun set over The CD Peacock Mansion at Oakbrook Center when, among the beautiful people sliding out of sleek supercars, one extraordinarily gorgeous woman stopped on the red carpet, OMEGA Ambassador Cindy Crawford. Once inside, Crawford, OMEGA US Brand President Arnaud Michon, CD Peacock Vice Chairman, Steve Holtzman, and Vice President of Client Engagement and Experience, Qi Holtzman, greeted those gathered from under boughs of blossoms.
Michon joked with the crowd that long before the lacquer walls and bronze floor inlay of this soaring jewel box were crafted, Steve Holtzman saw what could be. “We came when this was a restaurant and it was hard to imagine that one day we’d be here in this beautiful place, but Steve had the vision,” he said.
Inspired by lenticular cloud formations, the one-of-a-kind modern structure incorporates a serpentine glass facade that gives way to ample sun-drenched interiors featuring organic forms, custom furnishings, and a heightened experiential environment. The Mansion offers the world’s finest luxury jewelry and watches, including the dedicated OMEGA boutique filled with the most beautiful and innovative collections from the brand.
As the espresso martinis flowed and collectors browsed, Crawford graciously sat with us for a few minutes to talk timeless style and enduring friendships.
As the longest standing Brand Ambassador for Omega what qualities and principles do you share with the brand that keeps your relationship so strong? “We both care about time, but in the literal sense, like, I’m very punctual, and Swiss companies appreciate that. There’s also a timelessness that is a part of OMEGA’s brand values and hopefully part of mine. One of the things I really appreciate about OMEGA is the history and all the cool things they’ve been a part of. And I think fashion, as well. Now more than ever, a watch has to offer more than time because no one needs to wear a watch to tell time, so a great watch has to have a fashion or style aspect to it.”
You’ve been photographed in multiple campaigns wearing The Constellation. How do you see this collection worn? “The thing I love about The Constellation, especially in the smaller size, is that it’s like a piece of jewelry. I like this watch because it feels like a bracelet. Within OMEGA The Constellation was known as ‘Cindy’s choice’ for many years.”
You’ve seen the world throughout your illustrious career. What makes returning to your Midwestern roots feel special after all these years? “On this visit, it was a treat to walk around Oakbrook Center and see how all the stores have changed. When I stay in Chicago, I love walking around Michigan Avenue or along Lake Michigan. A wonderful thing about Chicago that I think is underrated is that you’re in a city and you can walk along a beautiful lake.”
When you’re back in the Chicagoland area, what are your favorite things to do? “I always try to have dinner with my high school friends. On a recent visit, my friend Chris Chelios picked us up in his boat after dinner at RPM Seafood and took us along the Chicago River and out onto Lake Michigan. It was the perfect night, and my Illinois friends know hockey, so they appreciated having a hall-of-famer take us out maybe more than my LA friends would.”
Do you share the same taste in accessories like jewelry and watches with your daughter and fellow brand ambassador Kaia Gerber? Are there any pieces that you both love to wear? “Like most daughters she wants to have her own style and her own taste, but I do see some similarities. I often wear gold hoops and that’s what she wanted for her birthday. She recently did a red carpet and borrowed some of my jewelry including one of my vintage OMEGA watches. It’s fun to have a daughter to share that stuff with and she’s starting to appreciate what I have.”
We feel so lucky to have this incredible family-owned fine jewelry and watch store in Chicagoland. How does this OMEGA shop in The CD Peacock Mansion compare to others? “What’s cool about this store is the history and it’s beautiful. Every detail, from the inlay floor to the walls and chandeliers, it’s like the store itself is covered in jewelry. Most OMEGA stores are standalone, so they’re smaller. For OMEGA to be in this beautiful store makes it a great place to shop for watches.”
The CD Peacock Mansion at Oakbrook Center is located at 298 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, 630-571-5355, cdpeacock.com.
