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