New York--The JA New York show kicks off Sunday, and eight new designers will make their debut at the ever-popular New Designer Gallery.
Here’s a sneak peek of the fresh talents.
Karin Jacobson has been designing jewelry since 2000. She specializes in art jewelry and engagement rings and wedding bands, all of which she handcrafts in her Minneapolis studio. A winner of numerous design awards, Jacobson’s latest design are inspired by origami.
Jacobson is committed to running her business ethically, using fair trade, recycled, domestically sourced metals and gemstones, or materials from dealers who have direct relationships with artisanal miners.
Soulbound is a unique fine jewelry venture from Kelly Zogheb, a New York City-based designer who is a Rhode Island School of Design alum. Zogheb studied fashion design and got her start in that industry, but made her way to the Gemological Institute of America where she studied jewelry design.
Now, pixel- and video game-inspired jewelry is her calling card. She wants to create jewelry for “gamers across the world.” Her latest designs break away from her two-dimensional signature, however, evoking a more whimsical feel.
Alla Belenkov is the designer behind AB Jewelry, a line that focuses on natural and organic forms.
Belenkov is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, but has studied in Boston, New York and Florence, Italy.
She is influenced by her passions for history and travel, and currently creates one-of-a-kind pieces out of her New York City studio.
Theresa Kaz’s namesake line is abundant in colored gemstones set in 18-karat gold.
New Jersey-based Kaz looks to celestial motifs, geometry and Art Deco when crafting her mix of everyday items and bold statement pieces.
Lulu & Shay focuses on unique sentimental pieces, like the brand’s signature Dream Ring, a piece of moveable acrostic jewelry.
Brooklyn, New York-based Leeorah Betan-Hartman handcrafts each piece herself. As indicated by her love of acrostic jewels, she is inspired by the romance and symbolism of early Victorian jewelry.
Christine Huber has worked in New York for one of the city’s most prestigious jewelry design firms for more than nine years. Her namesake line is all made locally in the city’s Diamond District.
Huber is a graduate gemologist who looks to the cosmos and antique jewelry when crafting her range of high-quality, timeless fine jewelry that is meant to last a lifetime.
DRU. is a brand that translates iconic words, symbols and images into wearable art. Designer Thea Miller
sees her pieces as tools that display mantras for their owners to reference at any time throughout the day.
Talismans of strength, DRU. is comprised of pieces like medallions and signet rings to guide the modern woman.
Orange County, California-based IO Collective is a venture from designer Jenifer Thai. Thai’s pieces are delicate and handcrafted, ideal for layering and wearing daily.
Thai’s interest in jewelry began as a child as she watched her father buy and sell fine jewelry in Vietnam. After a detour for a career in finance in New York, Thai eventually returned to California to apprentice with a goldsmith before staring her own company.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.
