The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design Atelier
Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

Couture’s Design Atelier is a curated section of the show highlighting nascent jewelry designers and brands who have been in the business for two to eight years.
Show organizers describe it as “an opportunity for mentorship, for an honest exchange of ideas and experiences, and for fostering friendships.”
Emerging designers can exhibit in the Design Atelier for three years before they graduate to the show’s main ballroom.
The brands new to the Design Atelier this year are: Bijules, By Pariah, Chrstns, Joelle Kharrat, JV Insardi, Laura Gallon Joaillerie, Löf, Maison H Jewels, Ohliguer, Ophelia Eve, White Space, and Zahn-Z.
Read on for more details about the 12 brands, and don’t forget to stop by the Design Atelier at Couture.
Founded by Creative Director Jules Kim in 2002, Bijules is a brand inspired by childhood nostalgia, mother nature, and a special lens that she has been honing along the way. Kim is based in both Milan and New York City.
For her first year at Couture, she will be showcasing the 20-year evolution of her brand, from the signature silhouettes in her “Lineage” collection to the serpent motifs in “Serpent” and the unusual cuts of the gemstones in her one-of-a-kind pieces.
Her jewelry blends cultural insight and avant-garde form with a refined edge. A highlight is her “Compass” bolo tie, pictured above. It is one of three styles inspired by the southern style she saw while growing up in the South.
Bijules’ offerings highlight innovation with nail rings, knuckle rings, and earpod jewelry.
London-based brand By Pariah, has been a journey for founder Sophie Howard, who started the brand in 2016 while working full-time. It began as a fashion jewelry brand before transitioning to the fine jewelry market with all offerings in 14-karat gold.
Led by a designer who is drawn to contrast, By Pariah is filled with pieces that have soft and sharp elements, balancing structure and fluidity.
Expect thoughtful craftsmanship, timeless silhouettes with an edge, and a clear, intentional point of view when visiting her booth.
“We’re not here to chase trends—we’re here to craft meaningful jewelry that resonates emotionally and stands the test of time,” said Howard.
Her latest “PF25” collection explores textures and gemstones that are new to the brand. It’s a celebration of organic forms, bold contrasts, and modern minimalism with a touch of vintage.
For jewels turned into living sculptures, turn to Chrstns.
The Paris-based brand was founded by Creative Director Steffie Christiaens two years ago and offers pieces with unusual cuts of diamonds, opals, rubies, emeralds, spinels, and sapphires.
For the brand’s second time at Couture, but first time in the Design Atelier, it will be showcasing five collections, with a standout being the “IMA” ring from the “Amarleau” series of sapphire crystal spheres that are an ode to life and simply being.
Christiaens draws from a global journey, blending cultural influences into avant-garde jewelry designed with hidden symbolism and moving elements.
Joelle Kharrat is the brand to visit for pieces that imbue “art meets jewelry for the woman of today,” said Joelle Kharrat, founder and creative designer of her namesake brand.
She launched her brand two years ago in Beirut, Lebanon, and looks to the works of Lebanese artist Salwa Raouda Choucair for inspiration when creating.
In the Design Atelier, Kharrat will be showcasing her “Totem” pendants collection as well as a soon-to-be-released cuff.
New York City-based designer Jen Insardi has been privately designing for over a decade but launched her brand JV Insardi publicly in 2022.
Insardi is a published interior designer and fine artist who works with oil paints and pastels to create abstract forms which inspire her jewelry collections.
Her designs bring a modern edge to statement pieces for multi-faceted women whose jewelry should reflect their complexities and join them in the phases of their lives, said Insardi.
While she will be exhibiting her “Solar” collection with black sapphires, champagne diamonds, and white diamonds, look out for the new pendants and statement rings debuting in her “Meridian” collection.
For Art Deco vibes with a modern touch, look to Laura Gallon Joaillerie.
Founder Laura Gallon has been creating for her brand since 2021, debuting her first collection that same year. She finds inspiration in her travels. Gallon, who hosts a workshop in France and another in the United States, has been traveling the world for as long as she can remember.
However, her biggest inspiration is in the works of her great-grandfather Georges Gallon, a renowned jeweler and silversmith in 1920s and 1930s France.
For her first year in Couture’s Design Atelier, she will be introducing her new “Dynasty” collection that was inspired by a bracelet her great-grandfather made exactly 100 years ago.
For bold jewelry, make sure to visit Löf, whose motto is “more is always more.”
Founder and designer Morgan Mackintosh explained that she finds a lot of inspiration in architecture books and interior design magazines. However, when she began designing, the memory she couldn’t forget was one of going through her great aunt’s jewelry box filled with a mix of estate jewelry and costume finds.
It led her to strive to create pieces that spark curiosity and delight, inspiring clients to expect the unexpected through the use of bold silhouettes, unusual material pairings, and hidden details.
The Los Angeles-based brand has been in business for two years, but Mackintosh has been creating for the brand since about four years ago.
Check out Löf’s “The Rocky Valentine” and “Jaya Rain” collections, named after Mackintosh’s children, but don’t forget to try on “The Orbitalis” ring.
Maison H Jewels is a Dubai-based brand led by design director Fatima Tayob, whose focus is on translating artistic concepts, organic forms, and natural elements into jewelry that tells a story and celebrates creativity.
The brand, which launched in 2021, will be showcasing its “Movante,” “Sia,” “Discs,” Tous Les Jour,” “Galaxy,” and “Textured Jewels” collections.
When visiting Maison H Jewels’ booth, expect to see engaging and imaginative designs.
Founded in 2001, Ohliguer is an Australian brand known for “fierce jewels that challenge the status quo without compromising on craftsmanship.”
Co-Founder and Marketing Director Holly Cooper and Co-Founder and Creative Director Jessica Cooper explained that their jewelry is influenced by their mysterious family heritage that dates to the time of the Russian tsars and rare gemstones from Australia.
Look for their “Croc” collection filled with Australian pink and yellow Argyle diamonds and Akoya and South Sea pearls, as well as their “Knot” collection with gemstones set between talon-like claws with sculptural diamond encrusted knots.
Ophelia Eve is a brand influenced by 19th-century keepsakes that carry meaning, old-world craftsmanship, art history, antique jewelry, and objects that tell stories across generations.
Samantha and Beth Yorn—who also founded the jewelry brand Elisabeth Bell—officially launched their brand together in October 2024.
With Samantha in New York City and Beth in Los Angeles, the bi-coastal brand brings a balance of energy to each piece, they said.
For diamond-hinged hoops, signet rings with rich hues, star motifs, and knife-edged pendants, stop by the Ophelia Eve booth.
For everyday jewelry featuring clean sculptural lines and organic shapes, look to White Space.
Designer Khadijah Fulton founded her brand more than nine years ago in Los Angeles and has her pieces made in the downtown jewelry and arts districts.
Her work is influenced by ancient African Reliquary sculptures, which in turn influenced Constantin Brâncuși and Pablo Picasso.
At Couture, she’ll be introducing new blue and pink Akoya pearl pieces, along with a bridal collection with engagement styles featuring contemporary silhouettes.
Zahn-Z is debuting its own booth in the Design Atelier this year, after exhibiting with the “Luminaries by Couture,” the show’s second class of Couture Diversity Action Council mentees.
The New Jersey and New York-based brand was founded by designer Hiba Husayni in 2021.
Husayni has envisioned Zahn-Z to be accessible, versatile, and timeless, catering to every budget and every occasion.
After studying architecture, Husayni looked to masterpieces like the neo-futuristic Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, as inspiration for her “Zaha” collection, while her Syrian heritage and traditional Damascene courtyards inspired her “Sadaf” collection.
This year, she’ll be debuting her new “Beluga” collection, with designs shaped by marine life. However, she’s most excited to showcase her “Zaha’s Secrets Revealed” ring and “Zaha’s Secret Engagement Ring.”
The Latest

From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

The catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”


The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.

Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.

























