Imagination. Innovation. Craftsmanship. These words sum up what sets Couture Show Las Vegas apart from all other jewelry shows, and are the reason it attracts the most talented designers from around the world to show off their latest creations in Las Vegas.
The pinnacle of the week is always the Couture Design Awards, dubbed by many as the jewelry Oscars, and this year a truly global array of designers – from Lebanon to London and from Bangkok to Brazil – were honored with prizes.
I felt extremely honored to be asked to be one of this year’s judges, alongside designer Arun Bohra of Arunashi – a previous Couture award winner himself; Adam Glassman of O Magazine; and esteemed retailers Soraya Cayen and John Green.
“Imagination, innovation, craftsmanship” indeed became our mantra during a marathon judging session on Saturday morning. We took our time to carefully examine every piece and were repeatedly stunned by the creativity and expertise the designers showed in their use of unconventional materials, multiple ways to wear a piece, and plain old originality in crafting the world’s most challenging raw materials, precious metals and gems.
Two and half hours of study and debate later and we had finally selected our winners. A full list is below but among my favorites were several return victors. Brazilian designer Silvia Furmanovich once again took home the Innovation prize – this year for her extraordinary trompe l’oeil bracelet, a marriage of colored gems and expertly crafted marquetry of tropical woods from her home country.
Tomasz Donocik, a Rock Vault graduate and London-based designer, also took home a prize for the second consecutive year. He won Colored Gemstones under $20,000 for the modern, convertible earrings from his new Stellar collection, in a pink-but-not-girly combination of rubies, white agate, pink opal and hematite.
His mentor, Stephen Webster, won the prize for Diamonds over $20,000 for his magnificent high jewelry Magnipheasant collar, which features more than 2,200 pavé diamonds. The piece centers on a 15.09ct white diamond, which can be exchanged for a more subtle, but equally stunning, feather motif.
For Colored Gemstones over $20,000, the prize went to Selim Mouzannar – the Lebanese designer who created a modern interpretation of a bib necklace featuring extremely rare trapiche emeralds. It took Selim many years to collect the eight gems, which have natural cartwheel-effect inclusions. He paired them with 47 emeralds from the Muzo mines and an organic, but luxurious, fully articulated setting of gold “arms” that allows the emeralds to disperse across the décolletage like a constellation of stars.
The prize for Haute Couture went to Nikos Koulis, who once again demonstrated that his design powers are reaching new heights. Last year he took home the Bridal award for his Oui collection engagement ring in emeralds, diamonds and enamel. This year, from the same collection and using the same materials, the Greek designer gave us a very contemporary version of haute couture with a sensuous choker with long diamond tassels.
The final honor of the evening went to industry veteran Cindy Edelstein, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Cindy, who had inspired and supported many designers throughout her long career, was remembered in a video featuring many of the leading US designers including Gurhan and his wife Fiona, Coomi Bhasin, and Victor Velyan. Todd Reed presented her husband and daughter, Frank Stankus and Remy Sasha Stankus, with the annual Human Spirit award, which has been newly renamed in Cindy’s honor. It was the perfect way to end a memorable night.
Full list:
Best in Bridal:
Winner: Polly Wales
1st runner-up: John Apel
2nd runner-up: Kataoka Jewelry and Objects d’art
Best in Colored Gemstones Above 20K:
Winner: Selim Mouzannar
1st runner-up: K Brunini Jewels
2nd runner-up: Lydia Courteille
Best in Colored Gemstones Below 20K:
Winner: Tomasz Donocik
1st runner-up: Inbar
2nd runner-up: Roule & Co
Best in Diamonds Above 20K:
Winner: Stephen Webster
1st runner-up: Exstravaganze by Labor and Co
2nd runner-up: Roberto Demeglio
Best in Diamonds Below 20K:
Winner: Yannis Sergakis Adornments
1st runner-up: Qayten
2nd runner-up: J Jewels Milano
Best in Gold:
Winner: Imogen Belfield
1st runner-up: Elena Votsi
2nd runner-up: Shaill Jhaveri
Best in Haute Couture:
Winner: Nikos Koulis
1st runner-up: Vhernier
2nd runner-up: Neha Dani
Best in Innovative:
Winner: Silvia Furmanovich
1st runner-up: Pesavento
2nd runner-up: Deakin & Francis
Best in Pearl:
Winner: Mizuki
1st runner-up: Riviere & Co
2nd runner-up: Paul Morelli
Best in Platinum:
Winner: Kuwayama
1st runner-up: Isabelle Fa
2nd runner-up: Alishan
Best in Silver:
Winner: Anthony Lent
1st runner-up: Annie Fensterstock
2nd runner-up: Nancy Newberg
Best in Debuting in Couture:
Winner: Kavant & Sharart
1st runner-up: Roule & Co
2nd runner-up: Neha Dani
Editor’s Choice Award:
Winner: Tomasz Donocik
1st runner-up: Nancy Newberg
2nd runner-up: Vhernier
People’s Choice Award:
Winner: Anita Ko
Finalist: Jorg Heinz
Finalist: Schaffrath
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Trompe l’oeil wood marquetry bracelet with diamonds and prasiolites
Silvia Furmanovich
$ 18,920
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Magnipheasant diamond feather necklace
Stephen Webster
POA
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Transparency Amal trapiche emerald necklace
Selim Mouzannar
POA
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Emerald and diamond lariat necklace
Nikos Koulis
€ 63,500
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Charnieres diamond earrings
Yannis Sergakis
$ 20,000
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Diamond and blue sapphire earrings
Kavant & Sharart
$ 52,800
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Ourika gold and diamond bridal ring trio
Polly Wales
POA
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Bespoke Amazonian yellow gold necklace
Imogen Belfield
POA
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Leather and Tahitian pearl lariat with diamonds
Mizuki
$ 25,900
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The Couture Design Awards presented the best of this year’s jewelry, with a judging panel including our own Rachel Garrahan.
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Todd Reed giving a dedication to the late Cindy Edelstein, a woman whom many American designers credit with their success.
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Stellar Hex multicolor gemstone earrings
Tomasz Donocik
$ 19,600
