Events & Awards

18 New-to-Couture Brands Not To Miss

Events & AwardsMay 18, 2017

18 New-to-Couture Brands Not To Miss

This year, there are a number of show newcomers worth setting aside time for.

20170518_COUTUREPreview-Molu1.jpg
Turkish jewelry house Molu, the brand behind this ring, has been in business since 1956, but is making its Couture debut this year.

Las Vegas--This year, 71 new booths will populate the ballrooms of the Wynn during the annual Couture show, taking place June 2 to 6.

While a veteran attendee may think they’ve seen it all, there’s no dearth of creativity from the following Couture newcomers whom we recommend meeting (and that’s not even counting the new class entering the Design Atelier; stay tuned for a future article on that.)

Some of the designers highlighted are early on in their careers, while others are industry legends. Both will have plenty to offer buyers and press come June.

Lord Jewelry
Booth 127

Designer Sinork Agdere honed his craft over years of both design study and practical application in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2002, he founded Lord Jewelry in Los Angeles.

Agdere’s work reveals his fascination with antique and vintage jewelry, as well as his love of vivid shades of enamel.



Oscar Heyman
Booth 148

Two storied American jewelry houses are making Couture debuts in 2017, one is David Webb and the other is Oscar Heyman.

Oscar Heyman has been a trade show fixture for years, but is making the leap from JCK to Couture this year, reacquainting a different audience with the spectacular gems for which the house is known.

Fresh off a book charting the brand’s history, consider this a time of elevation for Oscar Heyman.



Noudar
Booth 154

Qatari designer Noor Alfardan hails from a jewelry retail family but has ventured into the design world with her own line, Noudar.

Fashion-forward pieces meet intricate, Islamic-inspired design motifs in Alfardan’s collections, which are produced entirely in her home country.



Sarah Hendler
Booth 601

A couple of noticeable multi-brand showroom booths are missing at this year’s show but sales and public relations agency For Future Reference is filling that void with its very own space.

Sarah Hendler will be showing for the first time among For Future Reference’s clientele. The eponymous brand combines antique glamour, like a Victorian star motif, with a modern insouciance via enamel and gemstone pops of color.



Retrouvaí
Booth 601

Joining Hendler is new brand-to-know, Retrouvaí by designer Kirsty Stone. Stone’s vivacious multi-stone drop earrings and elegant medallions have made a big splash in the industry since the designer won the inaugural edition of “The Next Now,” an emerging designer competition from Ylang23.

Couture seems like the logical next step for the designer, who offers pieces at a variety of price points sure to please retailers.



Julez Bryant
Booth 610

Julez
Bryant delivers a refined and elegant take on everyday fine jewelry that is conversely wearable and bold.

The California-based designer, who has been in business over a decade, manages to make major amounts of gold and diamonds feel relaxed and unfussy.



Hoorsenbuhs
Booth 1100

Established in 2005 in Santa Monica, California, Hoorsenbuhs’ signature tri-link design has caught the attention of cultural influencers across industries. The brand, helmed by Robert Keith and Kether Parker, has partnered on projects with everyone from Jay-Z to Damien Hirst.

Last year, they opened a flagship store in New York City. The best thing about the buzzy brand? Most of their pieces can be worn by women or men.



Yael Sonia
Booth 419

Brazilian designer Yael Sonia has exhibited at Couture before but is making her return this year, equipped with her signature kinetic, graphic jewels.

Sonia’s oeuvre exemplifies the idea of “wearable art.” There are strong ties to sculpture throughout her work, and pieces that move just beg to be played with.



Bayco
Booth #214

Bayco is well known for its handling of exquisite and rare gems, such as the “Muzo Spectacular” emerald necklace or the “Crimson Ruby” ring.

Run by the Hadjibay family, who collected gems prior to producing their own jewelry in New York in the 1990s, expect to see numerous iterations of “the big three.” Their emeralds, in particular, are a must-see.



Karma El Khalil
Booth 429

New York-based Karma El Khalil has a diverse body of work, but the young designer to watch is most known for her sophisticated geometric designs that give femininity an edge.

El Khalil has successfully done what every young brand must do to survive in the long-run--develop a signature. She moves seamlessly between her more wearable works and stunning, one-of-a-kind masterpieces.



Pamela Huizenga
Booth 158

Pamela Huizenga’s background in the lapidary arts overwhelmingly informs her eponymous fine jewelry line.

Officially launched in 2009, Huizenga incorporates interesting gem elements into her otherwise classic collections; think traphiche emeralds and fossils.



VanLeles
Booth 320

VanLeles is the brainchild of Vania Leles, a GIA graduate and former employee of Sotheby’s jewelry department, Graff Diamonds and De Beers.

Focused on using responsibly sourced materials, VanLeles doesn’t forfeit glamour for ethics. The brand specializes in high jewelry pieces that utilize an abundance of diamonds and color gemstones.



Leyla Abdollahi
Booth #1006

A graduate of the famed Central Saint Martins University of the Arts in London, Leyla Abdollahi creates technically intricate pieces that seem to defy the human limits of design.

Abdollahi’s work features flowing, curving abstractions as well as pieces inspired by nature. In the vein of a Wendy Yue or Wallace Chan, Abdollahi is a designer to keep an eye on.



Page Sargisson
Booth #514

As a child, Page Sargisson was taught wood carving by her grandfather, which later inspired her to continue working with her hands at the jeweler’s bench.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, Sargisson’s organic-feeling and tactile designs are all made using recycled materials.



Molu
Booth #209

Turkish brand Molu is making a U.S. push with their presence at Couture this year. Like several Middle Eastern brands of note, they deftly handle magnificent gemstones and diamonds in innovative ways.

Their Ballerina ring, pictured below, is reason enough to stop in and see what other creations they have to offer.



Repossi
Booth Petrus 1

Since Gaia Repossi, the fourth generation designer of the heritage brand, took the creative reigns in 2007, she has sculpted the brand into one of the most influential in contemporary jewelry today.

Playing with scale, proportion, asymmetry and even how and where jewelry can be worn, Repossi manages to make luxury cool for a generation that eschews it.



Celine D’Aoust
Booth 1105

Celine D’Aoust cites nature as the influence behind her namesake line of jewelry.

The Belgium-based designer lends an elegant touch to organic slices of colorful gemstones. Tourmalines in particular seem to be D’Aoust’s number-one muse.



Maria Canale
Booth #144

Maria Canale spent decades designing behind the scenes at Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Richard Krementz and Carvin French.

Now, she creates elaborate pieces under her own moniker. Expect to see major one-of-a-kind pieces that carry the thread of classic glamour Canale inherited during her tenure at renowned design houses.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Robinson Pelham Tsar Star Earrings in Blaze
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ Earrings

The new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.

Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … White

A choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.

Stuller holiday 2025
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ Campaign

The manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Fabergé x 007 Octopussy egg and pendant
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg Pendant

The man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.

Weekly QuizDec 04, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Exterior of renovated and expanded J.R. Dunn Jewelers
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store

The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.

DD-Email-Image-1872x1052 (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural Diamonds

Sponsored by De Beers Group

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

G-Shock DWN5600 Ring
WatchesDec 04, 2025
Casio Shrinks its G-Shock Watch

The classic 5600 series G-Shock has been scaled down to about a tenth of its size, becoming a fully functioning watch ring.

Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando Engagement Ring
TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement Ring

Fellow musician Maxx Morando proposed to the star with a chunky, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.

Costco store
Policies & IssuesDec 03, 2025
Costco Joins Growing Wave of Retailers Suing for Tariff Refunds

The retailer, which sells billions in fine jewelry and watches, is suing the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Shoppers in a mall
SurveysDec 03, 2025
A Record 202.9M Shoppers Turned Out Thanksgiving Weekend

Black Friday is still the most popular shopping day over the five-day holiday weekend, as per the National Retail Federation’s survey.

Faberge The Winter Egg
AuctionsDec 03, 2025
Fabergé’s 'The Winter Egg' Achieves Record $30M

The historic egg, crafted for Russia's ruling family prior to the revolution, was the star of Christie’s recent auction of works by Fabergé.

Vera Wang Love lab grown diamond engagement ring
FinancialsDec 02, 2025
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Up Amid Continued Focus on Lower Price Points

The retailer offered more fashion jewelry priced under $1,000, including lab-grown diamond and men’s jewelry.

Briony Raymond holding Briony Raymond Eau De Parfum
CollectionsDec 02, 2025
Briony Raymond Introduces First Fragrance

The eau de parfum is held in a fluted glass bottle that mirrors the decor of the brand’s atelier, and its cap is a nod to its “Sloan” ring.

The Finsch diamond mine in South Africa, owned by Petra Diamonds Ltd.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Petra Diamonds Elevates Interim CEOs to Permanent Status

Vivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp, who’ve been serving as interim co-CEOs since February, will continue to lead the diamond mining company.

Lee Krombholz, Michael Coan, Donna DeLucia, Joanna Joy Seetoo
MajorsDec 02, 2025
Lee Krombholz Takes Over as Chair of MJSA Education Foundation

In addition, a slate of new officers and trustees were appointed to the board.

Retail Jewelers Organization logo
IndependentsDec 02, 2025
RJO Welcomes Its 1,200th Retail Member

Witt’s Jewelry in Wayne, Nebraska, is the organization’s new milestone member.

Gemologist, geologist, and editor Brendan M. Laurs
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Brendan Laurs Honored With 2025 Bonanno Award

Laurs is the editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and an expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.

Empress Eugénie pearl and diamond tiara
CrimeDec 01, 2025
Fourth Man Charged in Louvre Jewelry Heist

The man, who has a criminal history, is suspected of being the fourth member of the four-man crew that carried out the heist.

Van Cleef & Arpels zipper necklace Christies
AuctionsDec 01, 2025
Christie’s Presents ‘Splendor & Style’ Collection

The single-owner collection includes one of the largest offerings of Verdura jewels ever to appear at auction, said Christie’s.

Lustig Jewelers employees in store
IndependentsDec 01, 2025
Lustig Jewelers’ New Owner Is a Fellow Chicago Jeweler

Michael Helfer has taken the reins, bringing together two historic Chicago jewelry names.

Retrouvaí Classic Diamond Domino Necklace and Kwiat Entwine Platinum and Diamond Drop Earrings
MajorsDec 01, 2025
PGI Debuts Platinum-Filled Holiday Gift Guide

The guide features all-new platinum designs for the holiday season by brands like Harwell Godfrey, Ritani, and Suna.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury Watches

During its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.

Rosior Pumpkin Ring
TrendsNov 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rosior’s Pumpkin Ring

Rosior’s high jewelry cocktail ring with orange sapphires and green diamonds is the perfect Thanksgiving accessory.

Greenwich St. Jewelers Embrace Your True Colors Holiday Campaign
IndependentsNov 26, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Colorful Holiday Campaign

The “Embrace Your True Colors” campaign features jewels with a vibrant color palette and poetry by Grammy-nominated artist Aja Monet.

Alejandro Cuellar
MajorsNov 26, 2025
Serafino Consoli Names New VP of Sales, Brand Development for the Americas

Luxury veteran Alejandro Cuellar has stepped into the role at the Italian fine jewelry brand.

×

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