Events & Awards

Rock Vault returns to Couture with more designers

Events & AwardsApr 10, 2014

Rock Vault returns to Couture with more designers

Stephen Webster is bringing the Rock Vault, a curated group of British designers eager to introduce their work to U.S. buyers and press, back to Couture this year.

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The Rock Vault debuted last year at the Couture show, located in the ballroom where British designer Stephen Webster exhibits.

New York--Stephen Webster is bringing the Rock Vault, a curated group of British designers eager to introduce their work to U.S. buyers and press, back to Couture this year.

Run by the British Fashion Council and curated by Webster himself, the Vault aims to promote Britain’s most innovative fine jewelry designers and give them the opportunity to further develop their business and gain exposure internationally.

Three new designers have been added to the roster for this year’s Rock Vault: Jacqueline Cullen, Ornella Iannuzzi and Alice Cicolini.

Returning to the vault are Imogen Belfield, Fernando Jorge, Jo Hayes Ward, Melanie Georgacopoulos, Yunus & Eliza, and Tomasz Donocik.

Last year, Donocik took home two Couture Design Awards, in the Best New Designer and Diamonds Over $20,000 categories. 

“After the success and excitement surrounding the introduction of Rock Vault last year, we have decided to expand the number of designers from seven to nine,” Webster said. “Rock Vault is a mentoring program that supports and encourages each brand to grow … (and) allows new designers to enter the program annually. There will always be new designers never seen in the U.S. market before.”

Couture Show Director Gannon Brousseau said the introduction of the Rock Vault last year generated excitement among attendees.

“The concept of having a visionary designer like Stephen Webster mentor emerging talent in our industry was something that resonated powerfully within our entire community,” he said. 

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

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