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Couture DAC Accepting Applications for Mentorship Program
Jewelry designers have until early February to apply to take part in Couture's Diversity Action Council program.
A selection of pieces from the “Vega” capsule collection by designer Melanie Eddy, one of the mentees for the Couture Diversity Action Council’s mentorship program in 2021-2022. From now through early February, the DAC is accepting new applications for the two-year program.
New York—Jewelry designers interested in participating in the Couture Diversity Action Council’s mentorship program can apply now.
The mentorship program is a two-year commitment created to give Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) designers education, access, and guidance in the fine jewelry industry.
The program is now in its second cycle. The first class of mentees officially started in 2021 and exhibited their work at the 2022 Couture show as “The Radiance by Couture,” which is now carried online by Marissa Collections.
Mentees are paired with mentors from the Couture community, including designers like Lauren Harwell Godfrey and Stephen Webster, Anza Gems founder Monica Stephenson, and Elizabeth Bonanno of The EAB Project.
They work one-on-one together to establish goals for the program and work toward achieving them.
In addition, mentees also will have access to weekly or bi-weekly Zoom education sessions led by a host of experts on a variety of subjects relevant to fine jewelry.
“We recognize that the barriers to entry in our industry are high, and we remain committed to providing access, fostering talent and amplifying the voices of BIPOC designers in the fine jewelry industry through our mentorship program,” said Gannon Brousseau, executive vice president of Emerald and director of Couture.
Those interested can apply online.
The application period closes on Monday, Feb. 6 at noon EST. Finalists will be informed by the following Monday, Feb. 13.
Formed in summer 2020 amid calls for more diversity, equity and representation across all industries, Couture’s Diversity Action Council strives to address the issues of systemic and institutionalized racism that have contributed to a lack of diversity in fine jewelry, and to create and implement programs that give BIPOC members of the industry more opportunity.
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The mentorship program is a two-year commitment created to give Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) designers education, access, and guidance in the fine jewelry industry.
The program is now in its second cycle. The first class of mentees officially started in 2021 and exhibited their work at the 2022 Couture show as “The Radiance by Couture,” which is now carried online by Marissa Collections.
Mentees are paired with mentors from the Couture community, including designers like Lauren Harwell Godfrey and Stephen Webster, Anza Gems founder Monica Stephenson, and Elizabeth Bonanno of The EAB Project.
They work one-on-one together to establish goals for the program and work toward achieving them.
In addition, mentees also will have access to weekly or bi-weekly Zoom education sessions led by a host of experts on a variety of subjects relevant to fine jewelry.
“We recognize that the barriers to entry in our industry are high, and we remain committed to providing access, fostering talent and amplifying the voices of BIPOC designers in the fine jewelry industry through our mentorship program,” said Gannon Brousseau, executive vice president of Emerald and director of Couture.
Those interested can apply online.
The application period closes on Monday, Feb. 6 at noon EST. Finalists will be informed by the following Monday, Feb. 13.
Formed in summer 2020 amid calls for more diversity, equity and representation across all industries, Couture’s Diversity Action Council strives to address the issues of systemic and institutionalized racism that have contributed to a lack of diversity in fine jewelry, and to create and implement programs that give BIPOC members of the industry more opportunity.
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