Tiffany & Co., CFDA Announce New Jewelry Designer Award
One designer will win $50,000 and a fellowship with the jewelry company.
Starting in October, selected applicants will take part in a multi-week mentorship and immersive learning experience at Tiffany & Co.
According to the CFDA website, the program will be hybrid.
It will take place in person in New York City from Oct. 8-10, virtually the weeks of Oct. 21, Nov. 11, and Dec. 2, and in person again on Jan. 14 and 15.
During the program, participants will be briefed on the design challenge, which will be led by Tiffany & Co.’s design team.
A selection committee will then evaluate the design challenge results and choose the winner of the first Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
They will receive $50,000 and a yearlong paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.’s design department, beginning February 2025.
The 2024 selection committee is comprised of:
Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product, communications, and industrial at Tiffany & Co;
Bethann Hardison, board member and activist at CFDA;
Frank Everett, vice chairman of jewelry at Sotheby’s;
Gabrielle Union, an actress;
Jahleel Weaver, a creative director and stylist;
Jason Wu, founder and chief creative officer of Jason Wu Studio, and a CFDA member;
Joan Smalls, a supermodel and actress;
Nathalie Verdeille, chief artistic officer of jewelry and high jewelry at Tiffany & Co.;
and Rajni Jacques, global head of fashion and beauty at Snap Inc.
The award was created to recognize jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity within the design industry, said the organizations, elevating jewelry design as its own category akin to womenswear.
“This first-ever award with a sole focus on jewelry is a testament to CFDA’s longstanding commitment and mission to celebrate American creative excellence,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of CFDA.
“Through the CFDA Impact program, we are thrilled to partner with Tiffany & Co., a cornerstone house with an iconic heritage, and Tiffany Atrium to identify and cultivate an inclusive next generation of American jewelry designers.”
This award was developed by the council’s CFDA Impact program and Tiffany Atrium, the jewelry company’s social impact program.
Respectively, these branches of Tiffany & Co. and CFDA work to create more access and opportunity in the jewelry space, and equitable and sustainable change in representation of diverse creatives.
“The inaugural Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award uplifts Tiffany Atrium’s commitment to fostering lasting change across the jewelry and design industries,” said Arnault, of Tiffany & Co.
“With a rich history of supporting inclusivity and creative excellence, Tiffany & Co. continues to be a champion for creative expression and social impact.”
The application process for the 2024 program opened Monday, July 29, and closes Aug. 16.
Applicants will be chosen based on years of proven design experience, concept sketching, experience with digital and hand rendering, 3D CAD design and printing, ability to design concepts and collections through couture designs and gifts, and other skills, said CFDA.
The program’s participants will be announced this fall, with the award recipient announced in early 2025.
For more information on the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award and to apply to the program, visit CFDA’s website.
The Latest
A federal judge gave Benjamin Preacher 59 days in jail, plus 10 months of home confinement and two years of supervised release.
In a CNBC interview, CEO Tehmasp Printer discussed the IPO in India and what declining lab-grown diamond prices mean for the company.
The offering included vintage Rolexes, timepieces worn in “Titanic,” Steve McQueen's watch, and a special Citizen pocket watch.
For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
The 13-piece “Stephanie Gottlieb x Studs” collection is the piercing studio’s first fine jewelry offering to feature the gemstone.
The Brazilian jewelry brand made a home on New York City’s Madison Avenue with exclusive pieces only available at the location.
An Adobe Analytics report explored the rise in mobile shopping, the popularity of Buy Now Pay Later options, and peak shopping hours.
While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
“Ray Griffiths: The Works” tells the story of the master jeweler’s career, which started with an apprenticeship in Australia at age 15.
Davis is the director of business development at Select Jewelry Inc., and Mobley is the jewelry and watch editor at the Natural Diamond Council.
The retailer has been upping its marketing spend to drive revenue growth and brand awareness.
Mike Straub and John Treiber opened Treiber & Straub in 1980 with the goal of bringing Milwaukeeans the best jewelry brands.
The color for 2025, “Mocha Mousse,” embodies thoughtful indulgences and everyday pleasures.
The Yoruba word for ant, “Kokoro” embodies the strength of womanhood in ant society while highlighting responsible sourcing.
The retailer’s jewelry sales doubled, with branded jewelry performing especially well.
The jewelry retailer addressed the lab-grown diamond “disruption,” the price of gold, and its holiday weekend performance.
A more positive view of the current labor market boosted the Conference Board’s index last month.
The director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) will be honored for his impact on gemology and dedication to advancing the science.
Sponsored by 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson
At the annual event, in its second year, the organization honored those making remarkable contributions to the jewelry industry.
Celebrate December babies with 20 pieces of jewelry featuring this month’s birthstones—turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon.
A total of 126 million consumers shopped in stores over the five-day period, about 5 million more than last year.
The FTC’s Jewelry Guides require “clear and conspicuous” disclosure when advertising lab-grown diamonds.
The fine jewelry designer, who came out of retirement in 2017, is putting down his sketchpad for good.
The Type IIa, very light pink colored diamond was the highlight of the recent Hong Kong jewelry auction.
John Willard Craiger, 83, fatally shot jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta following an argument in the store.
In his latest column, Smith provides a list of questions every business needs to be asking their next potential leader.