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EditorsMay 25, 2017
Meet the New Couture Design Atelier Through Instagram
Fourteen budding brands are making their Couture debut this year.
Marie Mas is a French fine jewelry brand with motion at the core of its design philosophy. Its “Swinging Stones” collection will be on view at Couture’s Design Atelier in booth DA 20.
Instagram is the platform du jour for discovering new jewelry design talent who are, in turn, equally passionate about spreading their creations through the image-centric app.
So what better way to meet the next set of design stars poised to grace the Design Atelier with their bejeweled presence than through their accounts on the social network?
Below are the 14 designers new to the DA this year (you heard right, there are a whopping 14 of them), as seen exactly how they want to be seen--through their curated Instagram images.
Lito
DA 14
#InfiniteLOVE for Fridays✨⯑⯑⯑⯑#tuEsPartout #litojewelry #LITO
A post shared by LITO JEWELRY (@litojewelry) on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:22am PDT
Lito Karakostanoglou’s namesake brand pays homage to the designer’s native Greece in inventive and unexpected ways.
Think a classic evil eye motif, but sourced from an artist who creates Russian orthodox iconography, or a collection inspired by the shapes of vintage watch faces, but also reflective of the special light that exists in Greece, which has inspired artists for centuries.
Every piece the cerebral designer creates is deeply conceptual yet utterly wearable and flattering on the body. She's shown at Couture previously as part of a showroom's booth but, this year, will make her mark on the Design Atelier.
Nadine Ghosn
DA 22
⯑⯑⯑ #eyecandy #charms #jewelry #style #stacking #newcollection
A post shared by N∀pINƎ פHOSN (@nadineghosnjewelry) on Apr 28, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT
It’s often said that inspiration can be found anywhere one looks, and new designer Nadine Ghosn takes this adage to heart. An editor favorite, she garnered lots of attention for her hamburger ring.
Now, the cheeky designer has branched into new cuisine: sushi.
Instagram opportunities abound with this tongue-in-cheek line.
Elie Top
DA 16
A post shared by Elie Top (@elietopofficial) on May 20, 2017 at 1:35am PDT
Two years ago, the jewelry designer for French fashion house Lanvin, Elie Top, launched his own fine jewelry collection, which is unlike anything else on the market.
Top’s signature so far has been his work’s kinetic capacities. Rings with several moving parts can be turned and twisted to reveal diamonds and gemstones.
At Couture, Top will introduce buyers to the next phase of his namesake line, which has a Middle Ages, Game of Thrones-esque feel.
Bhansali
DA 19
New Pear Shape 18Kt White Gold Studs in Emerald Green. #bhansalione #bhansalijewelry
A post shared by BHANSALI (@bhansaliofficial) on Apr 21, 2017 at 9:42am PDT
Bhansali is the Beverly Hills-based brand known for its colorful-yet-classic fine jewelry.
Established in recent years by brother and sister duo, Tej and Anar, who are the fourth generation of their family to work in the jewelry industry, today Anar is the sole designer behind the glamorous brand.
Both GIA graduates, the Bhansalis are fond of setting diamonds into larger colored gemstones, giving the illusion of a metal-less design.
Foundrae
DA 17
A post shared by Foundrae fine Jewelry (@foundrae) on May 23, 2017 at 11:13pm PDT
Cartier cigar bands from the 1970s and Danish enamel
silverware from the 1950s are two of the referential starting points for Foundrae, the fine jewelry effort from former Rebecca Taylor CEO Beth Bugdaycay.
Foundrae is talismanic and full of symbols representing concepts like protection and karma. Much of the line can be customized with initials and words of the wearer’s choosing.
Yvonne Léon
DA 21
French designer Yvonne Léon’s namesake line is known for its enticing mix of trend and luxury.
An early adopter of innovative earring styles like jackets and climbers, Léon has been embraced by retailers ranging from Net-a-Porter online to Maxfield in Los Angeles.
She’s sure to catch many more retailers’ eyes at the show with her playful-yet-sophisticated jewelry.
Marie Mas
DA 20
Marie Mas is a new fine jewelry venture from a Dior alum.
The French brand employs pastel-colored gemstones like topaz and amethyst in its sweet “Swinging Stones” collection.
Gems swivel and move as in a Ferris wheel or a wave. Expect buzz around this brand, which only launched this year.
Imogen Belfield
DA 18
Imogen Belfield has graduated from Stephen Webster’s Rock Vault and entered the new class of the Design Atelier.
Her booth will be full of her bold, tactile designs that feel as if they were spewed from a volcano.
Primitive, earthy and utilizing a large amount of gold, exploring Belfield’s designs is like sifting through found treasure.
Jacqueline Cullen
DA 23
Fellow former Rock Vaulter and DA newcomer Jacqueline Cullen also is known for possessing a strong design signature.
For Cullen, that signature is geometric, architectural forms rendered in Whitby jet, accented with a touch of yellow gold and black diamonds for a subtle sparkle.
Luckily for Cullen, black never goes out of style.
Tura Sugden
DA 26
San Francisco-based Tura Sugden’s aesthetic feels very much like a product of her environment.
Her jewelry focuses on under-the-radar elements like ethically sourced champagne diamonds or diamond slices, all set in recycled metals.
Sugden’s natural aesthetic is ideal for a modern, eco-conscious bride.
Taru Jewelry
DA 24
Sefik Kabas has a background ideal for jewelry-making.
Born into a jewelry design family in Istanbul, Kabas studied sculpture and glass-blowing in the United States and Europe. He went on to design furniture and interiors before launching Taru Jewelry.
Taru consists of depictions of animals readily aligned with symbols, such as a ram symbolizing strength or an owl signifying wisdom. The bold, medieval-feeling line would suit both men and women.
Doryn Wallach
DA 25
New York-based designer Doryn Wallach has a serious thing for Art Deco. Her work reflects the period with its strong, repeating shapes and glamorous feel.
Wallach’s Instagram reveals many of her Deco influences found around New York City.
Loren Nicole
DA 27
Launched last year, Loren Nicole’s eponymous fine jewelry line is influenced by the designer’s background as a textile conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History in New York.
She went on to learn ancient goldsmithing techniques and now creates all of her jewelry by hand in her studio in Venice, California.
Look to Loren Nicole for meticulously executed filigree work that could have been found in one of the museums where the designer sought inspiration.
Marcia Budet
DA 28
#ElegantlyBold is the hashtag Marcia Budet uses to brand her work on Instagram.
Budet is an architect turned jewelry designer. Her line is impactful and slightly off-kilter, with abstract shapes turned every which way.
Budet favors gemstones cut in an asymmetrical style, particularly super-saturated amethysts, lemon quartz and citrine.
Foundrae is talismanic and full of symbols representing concepts like protection and karma. Much of the line can be customized with initials and words of the wearer’s choosing.
Yvonne Léon
DA 21
Mini escargot ⯑#available#netaporter#pearls#gold#diamonds#yvonneleon#paris#jewelry
A post shared by leonyvonne (@leonyvonne) on May 4, 2017 at 4:43am PDT
French designer Yvonne Léon’s namesake line is known for its enticing mix of trend and luxury.
An early adopter of innovative earring styles like jackets and climbers, Léon has been embraced by retailers ranging from Net-a-Porter online to Maxfield in Los Angeles.
She’s sure to catch many more retailers’ eyes at the show with her playful-yet-sophisticated jewelry.
Marie Mas
DA 20
#swingingstones #mariemas #hautejoaillerie #jewelrylover #jewelrygram #jewelry #jewellery
A post shared by MARIE_MAS_Jewelry (@marie_mas_jewelry) on Feb 19, 2017 at 12:27pm PST
Marie Mas is a new fine jewelry venture from a Dior alum.
The French brand employs pastel-colored gemstones like topaz and amethyst in its sweet “Swinging Stones” collection.
Gems swivel and move as in a Ferris wheel or a wave. Expect buzz around this brand, which only launched this year.
Imogen Belfield
DA 18
Sending this award winning beauty on its winding way to @harveynichols ⯑⯑⯑
A post shared by Imogen Belfield (@imogenbelfield) on Mar 10, 2017 at 4:49am PST
Imogen Belfield has graduated from Stephen Webster’s Rock Vault and entered the new class of the Design Atelier.
Her booth will be full of her bold, tactile designs that feel as if they were spewed from a volcano.
Primitive, earthy and utilizing a large amount of gold, exploring Belfield’s designs is like sifting through found treasure.
Jacqueline Cullen
DA 23
A post shared by Jacqueline Cullen (@jacquelinecullenjewels) on Jan 31, 2017 at 3:25am PST
Fellow former Rock Vaulter and DA newcomer Jacqueline Cullen also is known for possessing a strong design signature.
For Cullen, that signature is geometric, architectural forms rendered in Whitby jet, accented with a touch of yellow gold and black diamonds for a subtle sparkle.
Luckily for Cullen, black never goes out of style.
Tura Sugden
DA 26
A post shared by Tura Sugden (@turasugden) on May 21, 2017 at 9:13am PDT
San Francisco-based Tura Sugden’s aesthetic feels very much like a product of her environment.
Her jewelry focuses on under-the-radar elements like ethically sourced champagne diamonds or diamond slices, all set in recycled metals.
Sugden’s natural aesthetic is ideal for a modern, eco-conscious bride.
Taru Jewelry
DA 24
A post shared by TARU Jewelry by Sefik Kabas (@tarujewelry) on Nov 10, 2016 at 9:27am PST
Sefik Kabas has a background ideal for jewelry-making.
Born into a jewelry design family in Istanbul, Kabas studied sculpture and glass-blowing in the United States and Europe. He went on to design furniture and interiors before launching Taru Jewelry.
Taru consists of depictions of animals readily aligned with symbols, such as a ram symbolizing strength or an owl signifying wisdom. The bold, medieval-feeling line would suit both men and women.
Doryn Wallach
DA 25
A post shared by D O R Y N W A L L A C H (@dorynwallachjewelry) on May 15, 2017 at 6:32pm PDT
New York-based designer Doryn Wallach has a serious thing for Art Deco. Her work reflects the period with its strong, repeating shapes and glamorous feel.
Wallach’s Instagram reveals many of her Deco influences found around New York City.
Loren Nicole
DA 27
A post shared by L O R E N N I C O L E (@loren.nicole.finejewelry) on May 28, 2017 at 6:55am PDT
Launched last year, Loren Nicole’s eponymous fine jewelry line is influenced by the designer’s background as a textile conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History in New York.
She went on to learn ancient goldsmithing techniques and now creates all of her jewelry by hand in her studio in Venice, California.
Look to Loren Nicole for meticulously executed filigree work that could have been found in one of the museums where the designer sought inspiration.
Marcia Budet
DA 28
Rosé the night away. #ElegantlyBold
A post shared by Marcia Budet | #ElegantlyBold® (@marciabudet) on May 9, 2017 at 7:30pm PDT
#ElegantlyBold is the hashtag Marcia Budet uses to brand her work on Instagram.
Budet is an architect turned jewelry designer. Her line is impactful and slightly off-kilter, with abstract shapes turned every which way.
Budet favors gemstones cut in an asymmetrical style, particularly super-saturated amethysts, lemon quartz and citrine.
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