CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
TrendsMar 14, 2019
Designers From 18 Countries to Showcase at MAD
The Museum of Arts and Design’s annual contemporary jewelry sale and exhibition is happening in April.
Jewelry crafted in a diverse array of mediums will be on display at the Museum of Arts and Design’s upcoming “Loot: Mad About Jewelry” sale, like this piece from Mariko Kusumoto.
New York—The Museum of Arts and Design’s 19th annual “Loot: MAD About Jewelry” sale and exhibition will showcase a truly diverse group of contemporary design voices next month.
Hailing from 18 different countries, 55 artists—most of whom are exhibiting in New York City for the first time—will display their contemporary jewelry to the public.
Among the various jewelry artists and designers exhibiting will be Selvaggia Armani of Italy, who creates necklaces and brooches as part of her textile work. Armani is set to create hand-painted leather jewelry on-site during the show.
Also in attendance will be Mariko Kusumoto. Born in Japan and based in Massachusetts, Kusumoto manipulates fabric into unique three-dimensional forms through a proprietary heat technique.
She creates jewelry and sculpture this way, and has even collaborated with Jean-Paul Gaultier, who featured Kusumoto’s creations alongside his spring/summer 2019 gowns during Paris Haute Couture Week. 
The exhibiting jewelers’ work only gets more conceptual from there. Taiwanese artist Heng Lee explores the intersection of nature and the digital world through jewelry that incorporates downloaded images, laser-cut metal and embroidery, while Scotland-based Wanshu Li incorporates ultraviolet-reactive nylon and fluorescent paint into her jewelry that provides a different effect when viewed beneath UV light.
Loot Curator Bryna Pomp said that this year’s exhibition features many young artists, including four recent graduates of La Escuela de Arte 3, in Madrid, Spain, as well as more precious jewelry rendered in gold with precious stones than in the past that she called, “exceptionally original in design.”
“LOOT reflects the core of MAD’s mission to celebrate the creative process and connect audiences to contemporary art and design,” Loot 2019 co-chair Marsy Mittlemann said. “It presents an extraordinary opportunity for artists and viewers to interact with one another and engage in conversations around the work.
Her co-chair, Joan Hornig, echoed this, saying, “No other exhibition in the world brings viewers into contact with the diversity of design and designers showcased each spring at MAD. It is the perfect venue for both serious and first-time collectors to engage with global talent and purchase unique pieces of wearable art at every price point.”
As it has since 2016, a jury will choose one artist or designer to receive the Loot Acquisition Prize. A piece from that artist will become a permanent part of MAD’s jewelry collection.
The 2019 exhibition will run April 9 through April
13, with a special opening benefit on April 8.
To purchase tickets for the benefit, visit the MAD museum website or contact Rebekka Grossman at 212-299-7712 or rebekka.grossman@madmuseum.org.
To purchase tickets for the benefit, visit the MAD museum website or contact Rebekka Grossman at 212-299-7712 or rebekka.grossman@madmuseum.org.
More on Trends
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
