Events & Awards

As Couture opens, design expectations soar

Events & AwardsMay 28, 2014

As Couture opens, design expectations soar

Couture show exhibitors enjoyed a welcome party at the Wynn Las Vegas Wednesday evening, with many not only expressing a positive outlook for the five days ahead but noting the strength of design in pieces they’ve seen from fellow exhibitors so far.

052914_MoveIn-Article.jpg
The exhibitor move-in party, held the night before Couture’s opening day, gives designers and exhibitors a chance to relax and network in the hallways of the Wynn Las Vegas.

Las Vegas--Couture show exhibitors enjoyed a welcome party at the Wynn Las Vegas Wednesday evening, with many not only expressing a positive outlook for the five days ahead but noting the strength of design in pieces they’ve seen from fellow exhibitors so far.

“I think there are so many great designers debuting unique pieces,” said Parulina’s Kuki Seth, who is introducing her Castles & Cages medieval-inspired collection at the show this year. “What’s happening in jewelry right now is so over-the-top. I’m so happy to be a part of that.”

Seth wasn’t the only party attendee to note strength in design this year; the Couture Design Award entries that had been placed in the display cases as of Wednesday evening created a buzz among the crowd.

In addition to trend-setting design, attendees at the party also expressed high hopes for business in the days ahead.

Patricia Syvrud, who handles international business development for Turkish jewelry brand Pinar Öner Design Atelier, said she and her designers were excited about the retailers who were attending Couture, as well as the individuals with whom they have appointments.

This is Pinar Öner’s second year at the show, exhibiting in Next Wave, and the designer introduced a “show special” this year, where any buyer who spends $15,000 with the company has a chance to win a six-day, five-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Istanbul.

Alp Sagnak of Atelier Minyon, who was a two-time winner in the Couture Design Awards last year, said this year, “It’s a buyer’s market. I want everyone to do six digits.”

Couture Director Gannon Brousseau expressed excitement for the days ahead as well.

“The salons look better than ever. Everyone is really excited for the show to open,” he said. “I’m blown away by the designs I’ve seen so far, and I know the retailers will be impressed as well. We’re looking forward to an incredible show.”

Throughout the show, Couture is hosting a number of social media contests for attendees, asking them to follow Couture on Instagram and/or Twitter to enter.

The first contest asks attendees to Tweet or Instagram a selfie of their jewelry “in action,” using the hashtags #Couture2014 and #ShowYourCouture for a chance to win a $300 gift card. The contest began Wednesday and ends Monday, June 2.

Attendees can win a $500 gift card to the Wynn shops by taking a picture

with the white Vespa in the LaTache ballroom, posting it to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #Couture2014 and #NextWave. This contest starts today and ends Saturday, May 31 at 4 p.m.

Lastly, attendees can take a picture of their choice for a Couture Design Award winner (entries are displayed in the Wynn hallways) and upload it to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #Couture2014 and #CoutureCDA for a chance to win an iPad mini. The contest begins today and closes Saturday, May 31 at 5 p.m.

The Couture show runs through Monday, June 2 at the Wynn Las Vegas.

The Latest

Screenshot of Taylor Swift's "Elizabeth Taylor" music video
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and Center

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

Neiman Marcus store in Fort Worth, Texas
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This Summer

The luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.

Buddha Mama Moon Locket
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To Dallas

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

GIA iD100®
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Pandora distribution facility Canada
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff Concerns

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.

Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Michelle Yeoh Mikimoto
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel at GIA Taiwan campus
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in Taiwan

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

DCA Second Spark Workforce Initiative Graphic
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce Initiative

The initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.

Michael Angelo
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales Representative

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

Pandora and Foundrae medallion jewelry
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion Designs

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

John Jacob Astor IV's Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Battin & Co. pencil case
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to Auction

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

Stock image of a Shell gas station
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in March

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

Zach Bear and the Window Necklace Children’s Book from Zachary’s Jewelers
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s Book

The retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age founder and CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri Puzzle Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ Collection

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

Ashley Longshore in Buddha Mama jewelry
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in Dallas

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

Natural Diamond Council world diamond day
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.

Jillian Wolk, the new CEO of Tracr
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr

Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Tom Moses examining the “Motswedi” diamond
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Oscar Heyman Spring Catalog Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace and Platinum Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Bracelet
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring Catalog

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Diavik Diamond Mine winter aerial shot
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from Diavik

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

Tanishq Westborough Massachusetts store
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England Location

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 Stores

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

Jimmy West celebrating 40 years with Leading Jewelers Guild
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

Itä Yari Whirl Ring Tesoro
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the Story

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th Anniversary

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy