On a Monday in early February, Michael Salem was contemplating some silicone breast enhancers at a booth inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Midtown Manhattan. A section of the venue had recently been taken over by Curve New York, a lingerie trade show. The fake breasts were from Nood, a so-called solutionwear brand that, according to promotional material, offers products intended “to make all women feel seen.” With a soft feminine design, the enhancers were a modern and more subtle version of the ponderous breast forms Mr. Salem has sold for decades as a merchant who has catered largely to men who identify as cross-dressers and wear women’s clothing. After examining the enhancers, Mr. Salem, an 82-year-old with a booming voice and a penchant for self-promotion, began giving a Nood representative unsolicited advice about how to attract customers like his. The company should make its enhancers even bigger, he said, and add nipples to their smooth surfaces.

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Persons: Michael Salem, Jacob K, Salem Organizations: Javits Convention, Curve Locations: Midtown Manhattan, Curve New York