The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Patricia Field’s elements of (jewelry) style
The Sex and the City costume designer dishes on what attracts her to the pieces she picks and why there’s no “ass kissing” in retail.
As the famed costume designer, who dressed the ladies of Sex and the City as well as Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, mentioned several times during her JCK Talks session held Saturday at the show, she doesn’t really care who the designer of a piece of clothing or jewelry is.
Her rule when combing through racks of clothes or patrolling the aisles at a jewelry trade show: She just picks out pieces that speak to her--that say “Hi, take me I’m yours!”--and goes from there.
It seems like quite a revelation from a woman who made high-end brands like Manolo Blahnik household names by slipping them on Carrie Bradshaw.
And here’s another from the stylist, who sported her signature red hair and wore a pair of mirrored sunglasses throughout Saturday’s session: She doesn’t believe in kissing up to customers who come into her New York City retail store, which she has operated since the 1960s.
While she acknowledges that retail is not easy, her philosophy about owning a store is that her customers will part with their hard-earned money if they really love something and it makes them happy. If they don’t, then they won’t.
“There’s no ass-kissing or any of that, and that’s the truth of retail,” Field said.
Jewelry editor and author Marion Fasel interviewed Field for well over an hour on the JCK Las Vegas show floor Saturday afternoon for a session called “Expressing Style through Jewelry.” While she was an incredible draw for attendees, Field actually was a last-minute addition to the show program, replacing Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo, who originally was scheduled for the session but was unable to make it.
Prior to the session, Field spent two hours on the show floor curating looks using jewelry from various vendors, from a simple T-shirt paired with pearls, to “club” wear, to a wedding day look.
The next big thing in the jewelry industry, according to Field, will be “daytime diamonds,” diamonds paired with jeans and easy tops in a
“Why not wear diamonds with jeans?” Field asked.
Why not, indeed.
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
























