Diamond Days

Tiffany's new wedding ad campaign makes a statement with its first same-sex couple

Luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. has launched a new advertising campaign featuring couples who aren't usually showcased in wedding ads.

The new campaign, titled Will You?, includes the first same sex couple in a Tiffany ad, along with an ad featuring a heterosexual couple with their child. The ads "take a truly modern look at love, the proposal and marriage," the 178-year-old jewelry company proclaimed in a press release.

The ads "take a truly modern look at love, the proposal and marriage," the 178-year-old jewelry company proclaimed in a press release.

“No other brand embodies the emotion and trust that Tiffany does for those who are committed to one another,” said chief marketing officer Caroline Naggiar.

The black and white images for the campaign — shot on location in New York City by noted fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh — show a number of couples at different stages of their relationship, whether it's the moment the question is asked or on their wedding day. The small print by the image of the attractive gay couple reads,"Will you promise to never stop completing my sentences or singing off-key, which I'm afraid you do often? And will you let today be the first sentence of one long story that never, ever ends?"

The company chose the two men featured in the ad because they are dating in real life, Tiffany spokeswoman Linda Buckley told CNN.

While it's the first ad Tiffany & Co. has aimed at gay couples, it's hardly the first time a company has done so. Gap, JCPenney and Banana Republic are just a few of a number of brands to use same sex couples in recent advertising campaigns. In fact, Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka were the stars of an ad campaign for London Fog's winter outerwear collection back in November.

This marks the first appearance of a same-sex couple in a Tiffany & Co. ad campaign.

Tiffany engagement campaign January 2015 Male Couple

Photo courtesy of © Tiffany & Co.

This marks the first appearance of a same-sex couple in a Tiffany & Co. ad campaign.

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shop for props

Discover handmade treasures at Houston Grand Opera's garage sale

Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera/Instagram

For the first time since 2016, the Houston Grand Opera is holding costume and props garage sale on Saturday, September 14.

Calling all costume enthusiasts, theater lovers, and interior design buffs. Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is opening its doors for a unique, first-come-first-served garage sale. With a massive collection of costumes, props, and furniture from iconic productions like Aida, Hansel & Gretel, and Carmen, this sale offers a rare opportunity to grab one-of-a-kind pieces perfect for a costume party, home decor, or DIY projects.

For the first time since 2016 years, HGO is inviting the public to step behind the curtain and experience the artistry that goes into their productions. The sale showcases the incredible craftsmanship of HGO's costume shop, which employs dozens of skilled professionals who make or tailor each piece by hand.

The props department's specialized artisans also play a crucial role in creating the magic seen on stage. By making these items available, HGO is giving local theater companies, high schools, colleges, and the general public a chance to bring these beautiful pieces into their own productions or homes.

At the sale, shoppers can expect to find 68 racks of costumes and hundreds of hats, shoes, and other props.Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera

Since the last costume and props sale took place eight years ago, the nationally acclaimed opera house is bursting at the seams.

"We store items as long as possible and reuse them in any way we can," Kristen Burke, HGO director of production, tells CultureMap. "However, there comes a point about every decade or so when we outgrow our storage capacity. We then have to make some hard decisions. What might we use again? What is worth keeping in storage? What do we need to part with?"

HGO's limited storage space is a windfall for Houstonians. Shoppers can expect to find 68 racks of costumes and hundreds of hats, shoes, and other props, including fun must-haves like thrones and prop coffins. According to Burke, items will range in price from $1 to $200, with the majority in the under-$50 range. "Many pieces have a value well over that price, as they were handmade by our talented artisans. There will be some incredible deals to be had at this sale," says Burke.

Items will range in price from $1 to $200, with the majority in the under-$50 range.Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera

For HGO, sustainability is very important. If the items don't sell, they try to donate or find new uses for them. The goal is to avoid waste and give their incredible handcrafted creations a second chance to shine.

Houston Grand Opera Costume & Props Sale; Saturday, September 14, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm; 1977 Tellepsen St., 77023.

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