Hundreds of people from the Couture community joined one another in the Encore Ballroom to celebrate the announcement of the winners of the Couture Design Awards event.
After a video highlighting the creative process that each of the designers at Couture go through in developing their collections, Gannon Brousseau took to the stage to express his admiration for the artistry that makes Couture so special, “From the conception of an idea to a finished work of art, your creative process is what distinguishes you as true artists. And your presence at Couture is what makes this show like no other in the world.”
A tremendous sense of community permeated the evening. As he accepted his award in the gold category, Yossi Harari noted, “I’ve been part of the Couture family for 13 years, and it really is a family!”
After the finalists and winners in each of the categories were announced, and a brief moment of silence was observed for designer Robin Rotenier, Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box got on stage to introduce this year’s Human Spirit Award recipient, Jim Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box. A video featuring Jeff Feero from Alex Sepkus, David Yurman and Rod Kosan speaking in commemoration of Jim rolled before Matthew commented, “I speak for myself when I say that you are a great father, a dedicated grandfather, and an amazing and generous mentor. I’ve always looked up to you as a business person and as a human being, and your love and dedication to my mom is a constant source of inspiration to me.”
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- Nam Cho receiving her Couture Design Award
The complete list of the finalists and winners are:
Bridal
- Winner: Finn
- 1st Runner Up: Furrer Jacot
- 2nd Runner Up: Mark Patterson
| Finn was selected as the winner in the bridal category for this diamond ring. |
Colored Gems Above 20k
- Winner: Nam Cho
- 1st Runner Up: Stephen Webster
- 2nd Runner Up: Miseno
| Nam Cho won in the Colored Gems Above $20,000 (retail) category with these earrings. |
Colored Gems Below 20k
- Winner: Fernando Jorge
- 1st Runner Up: Mattioli
- 2nd Runner Up: Annie Fensterstock
| These earrings by Fernando Jorge, one of the designers exhibiting as part of Stephen Webster’s Rock Vault, won first place in the Colored Gems Below $20,000 (retail) category. |
Diamonds Above 20k
- Winner: Qayten
- 1st Runner Up: Paolo Castagli
- 2nd Runner Up: Hearts on Fire
| This necklace from Qayten won in the Diamonds Above $20,000 (retail) category. |
Diamonds Below 20k
- Winner: Suzanne Kalan
- 1st Runner Up: AS29
- 2nd Runner Up: Casato
| This gold and diamond ring by Suzanne Kalan won in the Diamonds Below $20,000 (retail) category. |
Gold
- Winner: Yossi Harari
- 1st Runner Up: Annamaria Camilli Gioielli
- 2nd Runner Up: Elena Votsi
| This necklace by Yossi Harari took home top honors in the Gold category. |
Haute Couture
- Winner: Giovanni Ferraris
- 1st Runner Up: Shaun Leane
- 2nd Runner Up: Atelier Minyon
| Giovanni Ferraris was in the winner in Haute Couture, a new category this year. |
Innovative
- Winner: Henrich & Denzel
- 1st Runner Up: Roberto Demeglio/Sofer
- 2nd Runner Up: Jo Hayes Ward
| This design by Henrich & Denzel took top honors in the design contest’s other new category, Innovative. |
Pearl
- Winner: Yoko by Euro Pearls
- 1st Runner Up: Jewelmer
- 2nd Runner Up: Sutra
| This necklace from Yoko by Euro Pearls won in the Pearl category. |
Platinum
- Winner: Cynthia Bach
- 1st Runner Up: Steven Kretchmer
- 2nd Runner Up: Schaffrath
| Cynthia Bach won in the Platinum category with this necklace. |
Silver
- Winner: Montegrapa Italia
- 1st Runner Up: Konstantino
- 2nd Runner Up: Aida Bergsen
| Montegrapa Italia was named the winner in the Silver category |
Debuting
- Winner: Annamaria Camilli Gioielli
- 1st Runner Up: Qayten
- 2nd Runner Up: Roberto Demeglio/Sofer
| First-time Couture exhibitor Annamaria Camilli Gioelli was the winner in this year’s Debuting at Couture category. |
People’s Choice
- Winner: Magerit
- Runners-up: Atelier Tom Munsteiner, Atelier Minyon, Shaun Leane
| The people have spoken. Retailers selected these earrings by Magerit as the winner of the People’s Choice award. |
www.thecoutureshow.com
Pictures: National Jeweler
