(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS, NV — In addition to revealing a stunning selection of best in show pieces, last night’s 2023 Design Awards was demonstrative of the strong sense of community that characterizes COUTURE. The genuine love and appreciation COUTURE designers have for one another was evident throughout the celebration at the Encore Theater, with winners thanking other designers from the stage and expressing their gratitude to be a part of such a supportive community. With a strong showing of French brands taking home awards, and many first time exhibitors named as finalists and winners, the showcase of winning pieces are illustrative of the curation of exceptional global design that makes COUTURE so distinctive.
Opening the show was COUTURE’s Director, Gannon Brousseau, “I just love that I get to be a part of celebrating you, your creativity, your talent, your passion and enthusiasm, and all of the hard work you put into getting to COUTURE each year. This is your night; we are here to celebrate you!”
“I’m so happy this award is so heavy, I feel like I’m going to fly to the roof,” noted 3-time COUTURE Design Award Winner, Tara Maria Famiglietti of ONDYN, who won the award for Best in the Diamonds Under $40,000 Retail category. “I just want to say I am so proud and honored to be a part of this family. We’re so different from the fashion industry where everyone snubs each other. We support each other and it’s so beautiful. Thank you for showing us the love.”
A celebration of family was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Sorellina designer, Kim Cosella, who took home the award for Best in Platinum, thanked her team from the stage and then went on to say, “Nothing would be possible without my beautiful, fierce, brilliant sister Kim. You are a force, you are our captain, I love you so much.” First time exhibitor, Alix Dumas, who won the award for Best in Haute Couture enthused, “Thank you so much, it’s amazing. I’ve put so much work in at the bench to make this piece, I’m very touched to see that it’s being awarded. Thank you to all the COUTURE team, especially to my family. Thank you to my husband who makes it possible every day. Thank you.”
The evening wrapped with the presentation of this year’s Cindy Edelstein Award, which was given to John Green of Lux Bond and Green, who was honored for his unabated enthusiasm, his continual support and mentorship of designers and his dedication to the industry. Visibly moved by the acknowledgment, John said, “There’s a lot of people here I don’t know but I promise you, I love all of you. I love this industry. I’ve been very blessed, I’m the fourth generation in our family business, we’re 125 years old this year, we’re a family business, fifth generation, my son Charlie is sitting up there, we’re gonna be here for a long time, but it’s really about this community, this jewelry community is so special. We all have friends that are in this industry or that industry, but then when you tell them the things we’ve all done together at COUTURE to help each other and support each other, it’s really amazing.”
The finalists and winners in each category are listed below and images can be found here.
- Best in Gold:
1st Place: Viltier
2nd Place: CADAR
3rd Place: IsabelleFa - Best in Colored Gems Above $40,000 Retail:
1st Place: Aletto Brothers
2nd Place: Tangarart @ JULLS
3rd Place: COUTUREMARK - Best in Colored Gems Under $40,000 Retail:
1st Place: Kamyen
2nd Place: Cicada
3rd Place: Sylva & Cie. - Best in Bridal:
1st Place: Retrouvaí @ For Future Reference
2nd Place: Bea Bongiasca @ MUSE
3rd Place: Phillips House - Best in Diamonds Below $40,000 Retail:
1st Place: ONDYN
2nd Place: Eva Fehren
3rd Place: 64Facets - Best in Diamonds Above $40,000:
1st Place: ETHO MARIA
2nd Place: Busatti 1947
3rd Place: MATTIOLI - Best in Haute Couture:
1st Place: Maison Alix Dumas
2nd Place: Messika
3rd Place: Victor Velyan - Best in Pearls:
1st Place: Persée Paris
2nd Place: NOMIS
3rd Place: Amrapali London - Best in Platinum:
1st Place: Sorellina
2nd Place: Henrich & Denzel GmbH
3rd Place: TenThousandThings - Best in Below $10,000 Retail:
1st Place: NeverNoT
2nd Place: Stephen Webster
3rd Place: VAN @ MUSE - Best in Innovative:
1st Place: Marie Lichtenberg
2nd Place: Studio Renn
3rd Place: PERUFFO - Best in Debuting:
1st Place: PERUFFO
2nd Place: Maison Alix Dumas
3rd Place: Alexandra Rosier - Best in Editors’ Choice:
1st Place: Ten Thousand Things
2nd Place: Gismondi1754
3rd Place: PERUFFO - Best in People’s Choice:
1st Place: PERUFFO
2nd Place: Vendorafa
3rd Place: David Oscarson