Claudia Endler Named WJA's 2010 "Shining Star"

The Women’s Jewelry Association, Los Angeles Chapter has chosen to honor jewelry designer Claudia Endler as the 2010 winner of the Shining Star Award.

Claudia has been an active member of WJA for over 14 years first serving on the board as Secretary, then as President of the Los Angeles Chapter 1999-2000. Claudia also serves on the DIVA Design Competition committee and the Southern California Women-In-The-Know conference committee.

Co-presidents Becka Johnson Kibby and Lisa Schoening state, “She not only gave a lot of her time in 2010, but has also helped this Chapter continue to grow throughout the years. The chapter appreciates all that Claudia does to support members, as well as the chapter.”

The WJA Shining Star Award was created to give recognition to a chapter member who has been of extraordinary service to their chapter throughout the year. In appreciation, each yearly recipient receives a ticket to the Women-In-The-Know conference, as well as national recognition.

ABOUT CLAUDIA ENDLER
Claudia Endler is passionate about modern jewelry, art, architecture, design, and self-expression. “Ever since I was little you could not drag me away from jewelry store windows.” After a successful career as a designer representative in the fashion industry, Claudia’s passions and talents collided, culminating in the formation of Claudia Endler Designs in 2000: one of Los Angeles’ leading contemporary jewelry design enterprises. By combining elements from graphic design, art, and architecture, the essence of Claudia’s jewelry designs is to illuminate the unique qualities that define each person, individually. Claudia’s designs offer distinctive alternatives to the traditional matrimonial fare. Claudia was awarded the 2009 Phyllis Morris Award in Design and her designs have received critical acclaim, including other prestigious design awards and nominations. Additionally, she has been featured on My Fox L.A.’s Jewelry Designer Hot List and Colored Stone magazine’s Favorite Designer. Her designs occupy the private collections of some of L.A.’s top cultural leaders, including museum curators, architects, gallery directors, artists, and other jewelry designers. For more information on Claudia Endler Designs, please visit http://www.claudiaendler.com or call (323)-225-5925.

ABOUT WOMEN’S JEWELRY ASSOCIATION
The Women’s Jewelry Association, founded in the United States in 1983, is the preeminent association of professional women in the jewelry, watch and related businesses. WJA, which operates through the national office in New York City, comprises a network of 12 regional chapters in the United States and international affiliate chapters in India and Italy. Members benefit from educational and networking opportunities, scholarships, grants, design competitions, annual business conferences, and recognition programs, such as its annual Awards for Excellence gala. For more information about WJA and sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.womensjewelryassociation.com or call the national office at (212) 687-2722.

2010 Country Music Awards...Glitterati!

Everyone GLITTERED at the Country Music Awards (CMA) last night...and the biggest trend was vintage - in gowns and jewels.

Gwyneth Paltrow looked radiant in an Atelier Versace gown and a S.J. Phillips earring (yep just one).

http://www.sjphillips.com

Full photo Gallery at JustJared

Nicole Kidman was on the arm of hubby Keith Urban in Doce & Gabbana and stunning Vintage Fred Leighton Art Deco coral, onyx, and diamond earrings.

http://www.fredleighton.com/

Full photo Gallery at JustJared

Presenter LeAnn Rimes wore a Ports 1961 dress with earrings and a snake ring by Irit Design

http://www.iritdesign.com/

Full photo Gallery at JustJared

Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester rocked a Pucci and Cathy Waterman Jewels

Cathy Waterman at Ylang|23

Full photo Gallery at JustJared

20 year old Pop Star Taylor Swift walked the carpet at the CMA's in a red hot Monique Lhullier gown and Neil Lane Diamond & Platinum Leaf Earrings, Bracelet and Ring.

http://www.neillanejewelry.com/

Full photo Gallery at JustJared

Sugarland’s prettier half, Jennifer Nettles picked up an award in her strapless Carolina Herrera gown with Kimberly McDonald jewels.

...and I couldn't resist - the hostess of an awards show makes costume changes - we know that! But last night Carrie Underwood arrived in a layered tulle Talbot Runhof gown (not shown) and then proceeded to make the following six costume changes. This doesn't include the eighth change for her duet with Brad Paisley...

Photo from RedCarpetFashionAwards

The Results Are In! METALinclinations 2

Seems like this has been a couple weeks of non-stop Election Results! OK - don't get worried this isn't going to be a political rant!!! I am referring to all the Award results lately!

...and today it is METALinclinations 2:

METAL Inclinations 2 is an International competition and exhibition sponsored by Hauser & Miller - presented by The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths. Check out the Gallery to see all eight award winners and all 50 pieces chosen for the 2010-12 exhibition.

JUDITH KINGHORN

FIRST PLACE WINNER
$2,000 SOCIETY FOR MIDWEST METALSMITHS AWARD

SUZAN REZAC

SECOND PLACE AWARD
$1,000 HAUSER & MILLER COMPANY AWARD

Be sure to go to the Award Gallery and check out the entries - some really fabulous makers!

Couture 2010 marches towards its 15th Anniversary!

Couture 2010 marches towards its 15^th Anniversary with over
100 brands already committed...

Stalwarts Like David Yurman, Gurhan, Alex Sepkus and Charriol lead the way

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (February 8, 2010) – June 3, 2010, marks the opening day of Couture 2010, which will be held at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas from June 3^rd until June 7th. Led by some of the most important and respected brands in the jewelry industry, Couture is positioned to deliver an exceptional event. The 2010 event will be the show’s 15^th anniversary and will be a celebration of Couture’s dedication to showcasing the best designers in the industry including luminaries such as David Yurman, Marco Bicego, Alex Sepkus, Charriol and many others. Couture’s long dedication to weaving together the right brands with the right retailers all in the Wynn hotel’s tremendous facility has proven to be an unbeatable formula.

“The Couture Show has consistently provided an important venue for us to market Alex Sepkus in an elegant, comfortable and civilized environment. We are able to spend valuable time with our customers building and maintaining the relationships that are the cornerstone of our success,” says Jeff Feero of Alex Sepkus.

In 2010, Couture is committing itself to deliver on its brand promise. Lee Arevian, Couture’s show director notes, “A luxury brand has to deliver a luxury experience. We can make some adjustments to better reflect the times, but in the end, the things that define Couture – the level of hospitality, the delivery of certain events, etc. – have to reflect the brands we serve. We’ve made a commitment to our exhibiting brands and our retailers that these certain key elements will remain untouched, and in some cases enhanced.”

The best brands and the best experience are only completed by the best retailers. And once again, Couture is leading the way. Our important Cornerstone Retailer program is being supplemented this year by the additional tier of identified retailers known as Signature Retailers. “While our Cornerstone Retailers represent the icons in our industry, and write huge amounts of business, our Signature Retailers represent an important component as well,” says Arevian. “Through careful mining of Nielsen data and extensive interviews in the designer and retailer community, we were able to identify over 200 retail companies that represent a powerful and vibrant group of retailers particularly skilled in selling designer jewelry. We’ve built a series of programs for them to ensure they have ample opportunity to network and interact with our manufacturers and designers and create a similar dynamic to that we have with our Cornerstone Program.”

All this is done with an eye towards continuing to build the “triumvirate of success” – the best brands, shopped by the best retailers in the best venue. Or, as Fiona Tilley of Gurhan puts it – “Couture remains the primary show on which we depend for the best buyers, the best sales and the best of experiences. All of our important customers make a point of attending Couture to meet with us and have remained committed to it.”

To register, click here

About Couture

Couture, at http://www.TheCoutureShow.com, is the world's most exclusive annual collection of leading international design icons and emerging stars designers and the best of Couture retailers. Set in the magnificent Wynn Resorts, Couture is the only destination where more than 85% of the world's most recognized designers and brands exclusively choose to show during Las Vegas Market Week. Now in its 15th year, Couture continues to be the benchmark for the industry standard for excellence making it the unparalleled event experience for the most prestigious designers and retailers in the world. Couture is an event produced by Nielsen Business Media.