Step inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
Couture reveals 2015 Design Awards winners
This year, a mix of newcomers and well-known names took the top prizes in what is considered one of the industry’s premier design contests.
Las Vegas--The winners of the Couture Design Awards were announced Saturday night in Las Vegas, with a mix of newcomers and well-known names taking the top prizes in what is considered one of the industry’s premier design contests.
“When we cut through all of the pageantry and ceremony of Couture, we are left with the reason we all came together in the first place--the designs,” Couture Director Gannon Brousseau said from the stage of the Encore Ballroom.
In addition to revealing the design award winners, Couture organizers announced the recipient of this year’s Human Spirit Award, Todd Reed.
The Colorado-based designer known for his use of “raw” diamonds was recognized for his commitment to his community, the environment and the industry at large.
The winners of the 2015 Couture Design Awards are as follows, as well as the first and second runners-up in each category. This year’s awards include one new category, Editor’s Choice.
Best in Bridal -- Nikos Koulis
First runner-up: Jemma Wynne
Second runner-up: Jade Trau
Best in Colored Gemstones above $20K -- Etho Maria
First runner-up: Fernando Jorge
Second runner-up: Buccellati
Best in Colored Gemstones below $20K -- Tomasz Donocik
First runner-up: Federica Rettore
Second runner-up: Brooke Gregson
Best in Diamonds above $20K – Pleve
First runner-up: Stephen Webster
Second runner-up: Harry Kotlar
Best in Diamonds below $20K -- Reho
First runner-up: J Jewels Milano
Second runner-up: Astley Clarke
Best in Gold -- Spinelli Kilcollin
First runner-up: Ray Griffiths
Second runner-up: Bizzotto Gioielli
Best in Haute Couture -- Hearts On Fire
First runner-up: New Italian Art
Second runner-up: Arunashi
Best in Innovative -- Silvia Furmanovich
First runner-up: Amrapali
Second runner-up: Alison Lou
Best in Pearls -- Autore
First runner-up: Yvel
Second runner-up: Savanna Stranger
Best in Platinum -- Christian Tse
First runner-up: Kuwayama
Second runner-up: Yunis and Eliza
Best in Silver -- Majoral
First runner-up: Arman Suciyan
Second runner-up: Atelier Zobel
Debuting at Couture -- Spinelli Kilcollin
First runner-up: Dezso Sara Beltran
Second runner-up: Kuwayama
Editor’s Choice -- Jorg Heinz
First runner-up: Monique Pean
Second runner-up: Elena Votsi
People’s Choice -- Yeprem
First runner-up: Reho
Second runner-up: Stenzhorn
The Latest
These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
The company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Sponsored by Tasha R
Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.