Articles and News
Brand News From Hearts On Fire, Monica Rich Kosann, Fana, Gumuchian, More July 31, 2013 (0 comments)
Hearts On Fire Designs Diamond Crown for Miss Universe Australia 2013
Boston, MA—Miss Universe Australia 2013, Olivia Wells, has been crowned with a one-of-a-kind diamond crown created solely by Hearts On Fire director of design Ilaria Lanzoni.
As the official jewelry sponsor of the event, Hearts On Fire worked to create a completely unique, customized design that was an extension of the successful Illa Collection that features comets and star inspired jewelry. According to Lanzoni, the crown took about three months to complete and comprises 631 perfectly cut diamonds (17 ctw). It is valued at more than $150,000.
Wells, a 19 year-old medical student from Black Rock, Victoria, was presented with another gift from Hearts On Fire, an Illa Comet Pendant also designed by Lanzoni. Both the crown and diamond necklace feature diamond stars, a tribute to the Southern Cross, Australia’s most visible and well known constellation. Wells will wear both the crown and the pendant on a tour across Australia to visit Hearts On Fire retailers and attend other events, and she will represent Australia at Donald Trump’s Miss Universe competition final in Moscow, Russia, later this year.
This is Hearts On Fire’s first ever design of a diamond crown of this manner. The brand will remain the official jewelry sponsor of Miss Universe Australia through 2015, and the crown will be passed down to each successor during that time.
Olivia Wells on her crowning night.
New Monica Rich Kosann Boutique Opens Today
New York, NY—Today marks the grand opening of Monica Rich Kosann’s new MRK Boutique in Bergdorf Goodman here. The designer, who already had a shop on the seventh floor of the store, is moving to a new location on the same floor with a total renovation and expanded format.
The new space is approximately 450 square feet. Inspired by the original 1939 version of the film The Women (starring Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, and Joan Crawford), it is designed in cream color tones and lush fabrics.
“I like to think of it as a time capsule that takes people somewhere else,” says the designer, who is also a black-and-white photographer. She referenced the original film as an era when society women took their time to get dressed and choose their jewelry for the day.
The new Monica Rich Kosann shop in Bergdorf Goodman.
Customers can set up an appointment with Kosann directly to create a one-of-a-kind personal piece of jewelry, and the shop itself will offer all of Kosann’s jewelry collections in sterling silver and 18k gold, as well as the designer’s home and gift collection of frames and image cases. New collections in the shop will include leather "secret" boxes, small leathers, candles, and a new fine paper collection produced by Dempsey and Carroll. Read more about the shop on the BG blog.
Myriam Gumuchian, John Kennedy on NBC Nightly News
New York, NY—Myrium Gumuchian of Gumuchian and John Kennedy of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance were interviewed Monday by NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk. The segment, which can be seen here, focused on last weekend’s brazen $136 million diamond heist at a private jewelry show at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France. Gosk, attending the JA Show, asked both Gumuchian and Kennedy to comment as experts in the field.
Myriam and Patricia Gumuchian with Stephanie Gosk.
Fana To Implement Digital Co-Op Program For Jewelers
New York, NY—Fana announces the launch of a jewelry retailer co-op program developed to boost digital exposure for retailers who carry its bridal collection. The co-op program is the first of its kind to offer paid search and Facebook advertising that is strategically managed per retailer.
“By using an integrated social media strategy of posts, custom content, promotions, and targeted messaging, retailers who carry Fana bridal designs will be able to drive sales and see growth in their own local fan base,” explains Vik Jain, president of Fana.
“Current statistics indicate 91% of searches use Facebook to locate businesses online,” adds Shane O’Neill, director of digital and creative services at Toledo, OH-based Fruchtman Marketing, which developed the program. “The social marketing co-op program reaches potential customers for local retailers by offering quality Facebook content and drives engagement through targeted Facebook advertising.” In addition, the program provides retailers with valuable data and quantifiable metrics.
The paid search aspect of the program is designed to locate customers at all stages of the buying cycle, drive traffic to retailer websites, acquire new customers, increase brand awareness, and provide retailers with a return on their investment. Retailers interested in participating in the Fana digital co-op program can contact the designer directly at (800) 433-0012 or Fruchtman Marketing at (419) 539-2770.
Thierry Chaunu to Mauboussin
Paris, France—Thierry Chaunu has been named Mauboussin’s new CEO for North America, effective today.
Chaunu has 30 years’ experience developing asnd expanding leading luxury brands, including Cartier, Christofle, Chopard, Leviev, and Damiani. As CEO, Thierry Chaunu is also the exclusive agent for Mauboussin North America, covering the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbea. He will be based at the company's five-story flagship boutique on Madison Avenue and 63rd Street, where he will lead the brand's expansion in jewelry, watches, fragrance, writing instruments, sunglasses and gifts.
Mauboussin is the second oldest jewelry brand established at the famed Place Vendôme in Paris. For decades, the house has created jewelry for the Parisian aristocracy and achieved famed for its mastery of colored stones and unique cabochon settings. It was acquired in 1998 by a group of private French investors,