Anyone who’s anyone knows him. You have seen his huge billboards in Los Angeles. When you’re on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, you automatically notice the Yellow Rolls-Royce Phantom parked in front one day, and his Buggati or yellow Ferrari the next. The showroom windows are changed monthly, along with fresh flowers outside, lining the façade.
This time when I’m at the showroom, Bijan has all of his clients’ names, respectfully displayed and their corresponding countries with flags on clocks that are gracing the windows, immediately catching your attention. And, each clock is set to the time of that country. You have everyone from Steve Wynn, Carlos Slim, Vladmir Putin, and George Bush, to name a few. Once you approach the door, you notice a sign that reads “By Appointment Only,” something that Bijan has had since he opened on Rodeo Drive in 1976. Some people think it might be a marketing ploy, but Bijan holds true, as he has a full staff of employees working every day, sometimes only seeing one or two clients per day. Those clients can spend upwards of $5 million in one sitting or fitting, which makes Bijan seemingly the “King of Luxury.”
I was fortunate enough to walk inside this 15,000-square-foot flagship store, which is notorious for being one of the most expensive stores in the world. I was first greeted by three beautiful women serving espresso, water, soda or even a flute of champagne. Looking around, I saw pictures of renowned world leaders and heads of state, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush, to Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, and the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. There were also shots of international celebrities and moguls like Jack Nicholson, German television host, Thomas Gottschalk, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Carlos Slim Helu, Al Pacino and Maestro Shahram Nazeri. They all are friends with Bijan and have personally been dressed by him.
After passing by the photos of Bijan’s illustrious clientele, I noticed the arrangement of his showroom by style and color, that it is divided by suggested outfits, expertly coordinated by him and his staff to best fit the styles of the season and an individual’s taste. There is also a giant painting of a couple by Colombian artist Fernando Botero, entitled “The Rich.”
A personal possession from the late Shah of Iran, a suit he wore in the late 1970s, is showcased in the store, and is one of Bijan’s most prized possessions. There’s a special photograph with all of the Presidents, both past and present, including, Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr., George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter. Every President is wearing a Bijan design (except Carter). Bijan’s store is filled with marble floors, elegant woods, a sweeping staircase, sparkling crystal chandelier (comprised of over 1,100 of his signature perfume bottles filled with pure perfume), all bathed by sunlight that pours through the store’s enormous windows.
Click here to continue reading our exclusive interview with Bijan, the King of Luxury.
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