Articles and News
BRAND NEWS: AWARDS FOR TOURNEAU, TEMPLE ST. CLAIR; MARCO BICEGO’S EXPANSION, MORE November 09, 2011 (0 comments)
Tourneau, Temple St. Clair Ace Accessories Awards
New York—At a lavish gala at Cipriani Monday, the Accessories Council’s Excellence (ACE) Awards were presented to leaders in multiple categories of fashion accessories, including several for watches and jewelry.
Luxury watch retailer Tourneau was awarded the ACE award for specialty retailing, while jeweler Temple St. Clair Carr was inducted to the Council’s Hall of Fame. Her special-edition 25th anniversary pendant is shown at left.
Jewelry also plays into the mix for several other winners: HSN won in the e-tailer category, Rebecca Minkoff received the “Breakthrough Award,” and Nicole Richie was named “Influencer of the Year.”
Minkoff, best known for her eponymous handbag collection launched six years ago, already has expanded her line to include shoes and apparel and, according to Women’s Wear Daily, is set to launch jewelry, eyewear, scarves, and cold-weather gear in 2012. Jewelry is also a key category for HSN, home of the Rarities collection of affordable bridge jewelry, developed by Carol Brodie, a veteran of both the Diamond Information Center and Harry Winston. Richie’s “House of Harlow 1960” brand includes a line of fashion jewelry.
Marco Bicego Expands in U.K.
London, United Kingdom—Jewelry designer Marco Bicego now has two new shop-in-shops in the tony Harvey Nichols department store chain. His first bowed in the London flagship in June; now open is another in Harvey Nicks’ Birmingham branch. To celebrate, the designer launched a limited edition choker of hand-chiseled gold, diamonds, and colored gems, part of his Jaipur Diamonds collection.
Marco Bicego bracelet from the Jaipur collection.
The brand is targeting retail expansion in both the United States and United Kingdom; it already has boutiques in Europe and Asia and is represented in more than 1,000 department stores around the world.
Jewelers' Mutual Launches "Jeweler's Cut" Incentive Program
Neenah, WI--Jewelers Mutual announces an exclusive program for its commercial insured retail jewelers to earn extra cash this holiday season. Jewelers can earn $5 for every approved description of recently purchased eligible jewelry they send to Jewelers Mutual. JM says that by participating and telling customers about JM's Personal Jewelry Insurance as a way to protect their purchases, jewelers will be offering added value and security and keep customers coming back for repair and, if necessary, replacement. JM will then email customers a link to a no-obligation quote and an option to apply. For more information, see www.jewelersmutual.com/jewelerscut or call (800) 558-6411.
M&A Activity Heats Up in Italy
Milan, Italy—Following the LVMH takeover of Italian jewelry house Bvlgari last year, rumors now are swirling around Pomellato. According to an article in Women’s Wear Daily, French luxury conglomerate PPR was said to be the most likely candidate to acquire the hip Italian brand—owned in part by the Damiani Group—but investment-merchant bank TIP reportedly has made an offer for 20% of the company, an amount equal to Damiani’s holdings. The company denied any interest or offer by the bank.
Separately, the Arezzo-based fashion jewelry brand Rosato recently was acquired by Bros Manifatture, an Italian company with plans to relaunch the brand, focusing on the history of Arezzo’s high quality goldsmiths.
And in the reverse of M&A activity, the Buccellati family has reunited its luxury jewelry and watch business after a 46-year split following the death of Mario Buccellati in 1965. By combining both under the Buccellati brand, the firm hopes to avoid becoming the target of a takeover--in fact, potentially making some acquisitions of its own. This article in Women's Wear Daily details all.
TJF Magazine Closes, Group Divides
Arezzo, Italy—The Trends Jewellery Forecasting and consulting group will discontinue publication of TJF magazine, effective December 1. TJF trend book content will continue to be sponsored by the Vicenza Fair, and author and TJF creative director Paola De Luca will expand her forecasting services and speaking engagements on behalf of the fair, according to an article on JCKOnline. TJF CEO Paolo Novembri will return to consulting in the area of international business development through his own AMBIO Jewellery and Fashion Strategic Services. Nancy Robey, U.S. director for TJF, continues as U.S. agent for both entities.
Uma Thurman, Reese Witherspoon, J. Lo Decked Out in Platinum and Diamonds
Los Angeles, CA—Uma Thurman wore platinum and diamond chandelier earrings, below, from Chopard to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Art and Film Gala on November 5. The earrings featured 22 cts. of oval and round diamonds.
Reese Witherspoon, meanwhile, went to the gala in Van Cleef & Arpels’ platinum and diamond “Corolle” earrings, and two Van Cleef & Arples estate bracelets, one of platinum and diamonds and the other with platinum, diamonds, and onyx. She's shown below left.
Separately, Jennifer Lopez, right, wore Harry Winston’s platinum and diamond ear studs and platinum and diamond cluster ring to Glamour's Women of the Year Awards in New York on November 7.
Rio Tinto Announces Design Competition Winners
New York, NY—Rio Tinto Diamonds has announced the winners of its Global Design Competition. Nine winners were chosen across four categories: Champagne Diamonds, Silvermist Diamonds, Canadian Diamonds, and Sustainable Jewelry. Entries came from the United States, Canada, Australia, India, China, and Hong Kong.
Michael O’Connor, a renowned style expert and one of the judges, said, “I was extremely impressed with how each of the designers interpreted the challenge and came up with unique and beautiful jewelry pieces that highlight the use of Rio Tinto’s diverse diamonds portfolio.”
Rebecca Foerster, manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds’ U.S. office, said, “We were delighted with the level of interest in the competition from all over the world, and we look forward to working with the winning designers to showcase their creativity.
The winners were: Champagne Diamonds Master Craftsman, Nejal Rajest Mehta of India and Champagne Diamonds Rising Star, Stacey Lindsell of Australia. Silvermist Diamonds Master Craftsmen, Joseph Weinreich of the United States and Dean Walker of Australia, and Silvermist Diamonds Rising Star, Vijayshree Sovani of India. Canadian Diamonds Master Craftsman, Reena Ahluwalia of Canada, and Canadian Diamonds Rising Star, Michelle Buxani of Hong Kong. Sustainable Jewelry Master Craftsman, Nadia Neuman of Australia, and Sustainable Jewelry Rising Star, V. Saravanan of India.
Left: Canadian designer Reena Ahluwalia won the Canadian Diamonds Master Craftsman award for this "Canoe" necklace, evocative of the Canadian love of the outdoors, while these color-gradient champagne diamond earrings won the Champagne Master Craftsman award for Nejal Rajest Mehta of India.