Tiffany & Co., CDFA Announce Design Award Finalists
Ten chosen designers will receive mentorship and participate in a design contest for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
The award, announced this summer, is the first of its kind from the collaborators.
It was designed, they said, to recognize outstanding American jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity within the design industry. Applications were accepted through August.
The finalists are Symoné Currie (Metal x Wire), Ian Delucca, Marvin Douglas Linares, Angie Marei (Marei New York), Malyia McNaughton (Made by Malyia); Jameel Mohammed (Khiry), David Perry, Maggi Simpkins, Hi Vu, and Pamela Zamore.
Several of the designers have participated in other inclusivity-focused programs over the last few years.
McNaughton, who is the current president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, as well as Linares and Mohammed were selected for the inaugural Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI) in 2021.
The program was created by Lorraine Schwartz and the Natural Diamond Council to create equity for minority jewelry designers.
Currie was selected for EDDI’s Class of 2023.
Simpkins was one of 13 BIPOC individuals who were selected for the Couture show’s Diversity Action Council’s inaugural mentorship program in 2022. The group debuted a capsule collection under the collective name The Radiance by Couture at the summer trade show.
She was also featured in Sotheby's Black and Brilliant exhibition.
Designers were 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 other skills, CFDA said previously.
They first gathered as a group in New York City in early October for the program’s kick off.
The three-day orientation included breakfasts, lecture series, and tours of Tiffany Landmark and the company’s jewelry design and innovation workshop.
They were also briefed on the design challenge—to create a five-piece capsule collection that pays tribute to Tiffany’s heritage while reflecting contemporary design principles.
Between now and the final showcase in January 2025, the participants will work on their designs while also receiving feedback during monthly mentoring meetings with the Tiffany & Co. design team, which will take place in a hybrid format.
According to the CFDA website, the program 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.
At the showcase, the designs will be evaluated by a selection committee that includes Tiffany & Co.’s Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille, as well as notable names such as actress Gabrielle Union, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman for Jewelry Frank Everett, and designer Jason Wu.
Tiffany & Co. and the CFDA announce the winner of the Jewelry Designer Award in January.
The winner will receive $50,000 and a one-year paid fellowship on the Tiffany & Co. design team beginning in February 2025.
The Latest
One lucky winner will receive a “Lizzie” diamond bracelet.
Samantha Larson has joined the Boston-based retailer.
Dana J. Lorberg brings 35 years of experience in finance, technology, and strategy to the role.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
The suspects are said to have been involved in the armed robberies of four jewelry stores across three Midwest states.
The new designs blend Creative Director Reed Krakoff’s aesthetic with the brand’s Balinese roots.
The Dallas-based jeweler will showcase timepieces from Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Parmigiani Fleurier, and more.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The artwork, titled “Pristine,” was raffled off at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s recent summit.
The new store features a custom design studio and a bridal salon.
Designer Rosanne Karmes has created a collection to coincide with the release of the movie musical, which is expected to be a blockbuster.
The retailer said it will file the necessary paperwork to regain compliance as soon as it is able.
Whether you’re calming the jittery gentleman in seat 13B or selling a diamond ring to a hesitant customer, an empathetic approach is best.
The trade show, in its third year, will take place in late September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
The jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
The 2025 Gem Awards are scheduled to take place March 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Grosz had served as Assael’s senior vice president and creative director since 2017.
“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.
A more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
The funds will be distributed to schools in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Jennifer Mulvihill, the first woman to lead JSA in the organization’s 141-year history, takes over for the retiring John Kennedy.
This year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.
The GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.
The ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.
The company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.
The jewelry designer discussed how she got into the jewelry industry, what she keeps in her favorite locket, and the future of her brand.
Participants can buy five votes for $5 to decide which jeweler will dress up as an ‘80s rockstar for Halloween.