Jacquie Aiche drew in buyers and press with window displays rich in colors, jewels and crystals from Tucson Gem Show. Inside, displays were already styled in layers and layers (the way her jewels are meant to be worn) making it easy for merchandisers to choose what to buy!
Stopped by Suzy Landa Jewelry to get a dose of COLOR–her juicy gemstones always brighten my day and so does the designer herself! So awesome!
Ilias Lalaounis’ tradition of bold gold pieces is wonderfully carried out through his four daughters who now are continuing his legacy. Every year I enjoy seeing his designs, as they immediately transport me to Greece and his heyday of accessorizing stars. I couldn’t pick a favorite!
Neha Dani wowed and inspired–I felt like I was back at the MET looking at the JAR exhibit for a second. The technicolored gold, hand-set diamonds, intricate work, where each mechanism, each stone, each design is precisely thought-out. Loved all!
Loved all the shapes, patterns and colors seen at Kavant & Sharart! This young husband and wife duo have really been cultivating their styles and merging them flawlessly. I want so many pieces from their line!
Pamela Love tapped into every night sky watcher’s dreams with the creation of this Lapis & diamond moon phase collar necklace. It feels so good in person too! I love her rings–the opal arrowhead was killer and the play-of-color on it was just right. And bet you didn’t realize the ring on my pointer finger flips!
Jordan Alexander Jewelry first grabbed my attention at the Nashville Fashion Show. Now a year later, they’ve put their focus from pearls to diamonds and other gemstones. And I love all the use of gold!
I believe this is Anthony Lent’s third year exhibiting and although I have a rule to see new designers every year, he is the only one to break this rule! Seen three years in a row and will never not be captivated by his designs.
Eva Fehren’s geometric designs were amazing to see for the first time in person. Loved her display as well, as seen above.
“Danielle, please call you grandmother. She’s worried about you. And did you make it to Vegas? You never even told us.” I immediately deleted the voicemail from my iPhone, which was hot to the touch because of all the charging and photo-downloading it incurred while at the jewelry shows in Vegas. Something about Vegas every year I find it liberating to block out everything going on in my personal life and back home, and truly immerse myself in the four-day jewel fest called Couture. Excuse me, five-day jewel fest–I just had to look it up, and wow, really? Five days? A little excessive? NOPE. Never. In fact, this year I spent the most time I’ve ever spent at Couture and still felt like I needed more time.
Couture 2016: Venni Vetti Vecci. And the best year yet. Remember that time I forgot my business cards? Ah, yes rookie mistake, but not this year. Remember that time I spent only six hours at Couture? Massively stupid mistake, but no, not this year. I came prepared, I packed my bags efficiently, and made a handful of appointments (enough I could count on both hands–not too many where I felt like I had planned way too much in such short of time). This year was all about enjoying my time, having fun and learning. Sometimes events like these can be stressful and far too often taken way too seriously. What is the fun in that?
This year, Couture was upbeat–the designers, the buyers, the atmosphere–even all my “whoops, I’m sorry I didn’t make an appointment” appointments. I loved seeing people whom I haven’t seen in forever and reconnecting with those who I sometimes talk to on a daily basis.
Some highlights for me are shown above. One of them being finally meeting Jacquie Aiche and experiencing her alluring booth full of layer heaven. I can easily see how and why people like Rihanna are die-hard fans of her jewelry–it is a lifestyle, not just a jewelry line. For a second year in a row, I clamored over Ilias Lalaounis’ designs as if I were in Greece and happened to stumble upon his boutique. It reminds me of my life goal of going to Greece and visiting both the Lalaounis museum and stores. Someday.
Other highlights include seeing the guys of Anthony Lent Jewelry who continually put the enchantment back into jewelry, as most designs have lost that aspect over time, especially all that is made now in factories or mass produced items. I love that everything he makes, he creates himself in his studio in Pennsylvania. Neha Dani was also a great highlight–such stunningly beautiful designs that easily wow. Huge fan of the technicolor gold she uses as well. Pamela Love had such a great line-up at her booth, of course the pièce de résistance for me was the lapis and diamond moon phase collar necklace that we took outside to photograph. Once posted on Instagram, it got 6,500+ likes–the most I’ve ever gotten in my 4+ year Instagram lifetime.
Loved seeing everyone at Couture this year–if I didn’t get a chance to swing by your booth, I’m SO sorry. Time was short but I will make a valiant effort next time around. Can you believe that I am totally stoked for next year already?! I am.
Can’t get enough of Couture? Read what I had to say from the years past: 2013, 2014, 2015
