MajorsJul 10, 2025
LVMH Names New Chairman, CEO of the AmericasEvents & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director
Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
Eric Ford, who worked for Neiman Marcus for more than 30 years, is now the brand director for Couture. The 2026 Couture show is scheduled for May 27-31 at Wynn Las Vegas.
New York—Eric Ford, Neiman Marcus’ longtime fine jewelry buyer, has joined the Couture team as brand director, a new role within the organization.
As brand director, Ford will oversee Couture’s day-to-day operations while also spearheading “strategic enhancements” that benefit the event and the community as a whole, the show said when announcing his appointment Monday.
He will report directly to Emerald Executive Vice President Gannon Brousseau, who will shift his focus to larger strategic initiatives for the show, while Couture Brand Manager Elana Cutler now will report directly to Ford.
Before joining the Couture team, Ford spent more than 30 years at Neiman Marcus, most recently working as the precious jewelry buyer for the retailer’s 36 stores.
At Neiman Marcus, Ford earned a reputation for identifying talent and working closely with each brand to ensure its success in the United States.
He said he is “thrilled” to be Couture’s brand director.
“Having the opportunity to work alongside a team of people with whom I already have great relationships is truly a unique honor,” Ford said.
“I’m looking forward to leveraging my decades of industry experience and the relationships that I’ve build over the years to work collaboratively to bring even more value to an industry and a community about which I’ve long been passionate.”
Related stories will be right here …
As brand director, Ford will oversee Couture’s day-to-day operations while also spearheading “strategic enhancements” that benefit the event and the community as a whole, the show said when announcing his appointment Monday.
He will report directly to Emerald Executive Vice President Gannon Brousseau, who will shift his focus to larger strategic initiatives for the show, while Couture Brand Manager Elana Cutler now will report directly to Ford.
Before joining the Couture team, Ford spent more than 30 years at Neiman Marcus, most recently working as the precious jewelry buyer for the retailer’s 36 stores.
At Neiman Marcus, Ford earned a reputation for identifying talent and working closely with each brand to ensure its success in the United States.
He said he is “thrilled” to be Couture’s brand director.
“Having the opportunity to work alongside a team of people with whom I already have great relationships is truly a unique honor,” Ford said.
“I’m looking forward to leveraging my decades of industry experience and the relationships that I’ve build over the years to work collaboratively to bring even more value to an industry and a community about which I’ve long been passionate.”
Brousseau said Ford’s fine jewelry knowledge and the good will he’s fostered throughout the industry will be an asset to Couture.
He also noted that Ford has had a long tenure on the show’s Retailer Advisory Council and has been leading “Belonging at Couture” since its formation in 2020.
“These critical roles have allowed him to become intimately familiar with the inner workings of Couture while also forging strong relationships with key members of the team,” Brousseau said. “We are all excited for him to officially get started.”
Couture also added another new team member recently.
Kimberly Straub joined the jewelry trade show as its new retailer liaison, taking over for Jan Mohr, who retired this summer after more than 25 years with Couture.
The show honored Mohr for her years of service with the new Hidden Gem Award, presented during the 2025 Couture Design Awards.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
Weekly QuizJul 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
