#JWLV COUTURE Design Awards is Highlight of 2017 Jewelry Week Las Vegas #CoutureShow2017 #ThisIsCouture

COUTURE Design Awards is Highlight of 2017 Event
New Venue Elevates the Award’s Gravitas  

Excitement and anticipation permeated the crowd within the Encore Theater as nearly 1,000 designers, editors and retailers from the COUTURE community gathered to celebrate the nominees and winner’s of this year’s COUTURE Design Awards. The change in venue left everyone in awe with the Art Deco decor of the lobby and the magnificent sparkle from the stage.

“Tonight is when we celebrate the incredible artists who labor an entire year to create these works of art, and showcase their hearts and souls within their salons,” COUTURE’s Director, Gannon Brousseau explained from the stage. He then went on to thank this year’s panel of judges, Melissa Geiser from Stanley Korshak, Julie Thom from Von Bargen’s, Daisy Shaw from Vanity Fair, Katerina Perez of Katerina Perez, and designer Yossi Harari, for their time, insight and expertise in selecting the winning designs and finalists.

Furrer Jacot, who won the inaugural Best in Men’s Jewelry Award thanked the designer who has been with him for 30 years saying that he “didn’t want to do another men’s piece - he wanted to do something great.” The winner of the Best in Diamonds Above $20,000, Fernando Jorge, enthused from the stage, "This was my first adventure with diamonds and therefore I feel very very honored to receive this award."

A touching highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Cindy Edelstein Award by Cindy’s daughter, Remy, to designer Stephen Webster. A video tribute showcased the designer’s passionate support of the industry, commitment to ethical sourcing and design practices and philanthropic endeavors. 

Best in Bridal:

Winner: Jade Trau

1st Runner Up: Mark Patterson

2nd Runner Up: Eva Fehren

Best in Colored Gemstones Above $20,000:

Winner: John Hardy

1st Runner Up: Bayco

2nd Runner Up: Sutra

Best in Colored Gemstones Below $20,000:

Winner: Amali

1st Runner Up: Andrea Fohrman

2nd Runner Up: Carol Kauffman

Best in Diamonds Above $20,000:

Winner: Fernando Jorge

1st Runner Up: Anita Ko

2nd Runner Up: Mariani

Best in Diamonds Below $20,000:

Winner: Garavelli

1st Runner Up: Roule & Co.

2nd Runner Up: Qayten

Best in Gold:

Winner: Cadar

1st Runner Up: Luisa Rosas

2nd Runner Up: Elena Votsi 

Best in Haute Couture:

Winner: Pasquale Bruni

1st Runner Up: Kavant & Sharart

2nd Runner Up: Picchiotti

Best in Innovative:

Winner: Nadine Ghosn

1st Runner Up: Marie Mas

2nd Runner Up: Serafino Consoli 

Best in Men’s Jewelry:

Winner: Furrer Jacot

1st Runner Up: Jan Leslie

2nd Runner Up: Pat Flynn

Best in Pearls:

Winner: Yvel

1st Runner Up: Mizuki

2nd Runner Up: Todd Reed

Best in Platinum:

Winner: Heinrich & Denzel

1st Runner Up: Misui

2nd Runner Up: Alishan

Best in Silver:

Winner: Atelier Zobel

1st Runner Up: Emanuela Duca

2nd Runner Up: Aida Bergsen

Best of Debuting at Couture:

Winner: Leyla Abdollahi London

1st Runner Up: Nadine Ghosn

2nd Runner Up: Julien Riad Sharon

People’s Choice

Winner: Mariani

1st Runner Up: Jorg Heinz

2nd Runner Up: King Baby