Articles and News
Industry News: Hundreds of Jobs At GIA Career Fair; PGI’s New Partnership; WDC Seeks Director; More July 16, 2014 (0 comments)
PGI Partners With Award Winning Costume Designer Lyn Paolo
New York, NY—Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA) announces its latest partnership, with two-time Emmy Award winning costume designer Lyn Paolo. Paolo is currently working on the hit ABC series Scandal, starring Kerry Washington as the impeccably dressed Olivia Pope (left). Paolo also recently finished her fourth season on the Showtime Series Shameless, starring William H. Macy. The costume design on these two very different shows clearly demonstrates Paolo’s expertise and breadth as one of the top costume designers in Hollywood.
In her role as platinum brand ambassador, Paolo will serve to increase awareness of the value, benefits, and fashion appeal of the metal and spread the message throughout her various networks and events.
"I am so excited to be teaming up with the Platinum Guild,” says Paolo. “I love all things platinum: from my own personal jewelry to the pieces I choose for my private clientele, and films and television shows that I design. Platinum, for me, is about glamour, style and enduring quality. You really cannot beat those three qualities in one product.”
“Through her years of design and most recently through her work on Scandal, a show that influences the purchases of thousands of millennial consumers, Ms. Paolo has been a defining figure in fashion,” says PGI-USA president Huw Daniel. “Her personal affinity for platinum jewelry, natural eye for timeless style, and connection to those savvy women who choose platinum for their jewelry purchases all deem Lyn a natural messenger for platinum.”
Paolo’s additional credits include ER, The West Wing, LA Confidential, and Homefront, for which she won two Emmy awards. She is also currently costume designing the John Wells-directed film Adam Jones, starring Bradley Cooper, Emma Thompson and Sienna Miller.
Top image: Entertainista.com
GIA Career Fair NYC Features Hundreds Of Jewelry Jobs
New York, NY—GIA’s annual New York Jewelry Career Fair will be held Monday, July 28, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The jewelry industry’s largest recruiting event will have opportunities ranging from design and manufacturing to marketing and sales with nearly 50 gem and jewelry companies. Among those participating are David Yurman, Helzberg Diamonds, New York Loan Company, Paolo Costagli Inc., and Sterling Jewelers Inc., Career Fair begins at 8 a.m. and runs through 1 p.m.. Recruiters will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; anyone interested in attending is encouraged to RSVP. JA New York is a major sponsor of the event.
GIA vice president and chief marketing officer Kathryn Kimmel says the event offers an excellent opportunity not only to connect with recruiters but to network within the industry.
For a full list of companies participating, click here.
Eric Cygiel Launches Luxury & Hammer Jewelry Advertising
Venice, CA—Eric Cygiel announces the founding of Luxury & Hammer Jewelry Advertising, a full-service advertising, marketing and branding agency that offers luxury jewelry designers, manufacturers, and retailers a wide variety of services that include jewelry photography, copywriting, public relations, video production and more.
Cygiel was introduced to the bridal industry at the age of six, working side-by-side with his grandmother in her downtown Los Angeles bridal and jewelry shop.
“Ever since I was a kid, I knew that an engagement ring was far more than diamonds and metal. It symbolized an emotional bond that would last forever. It’s that very emotion that I try to capture with every campaign my team and I create,” said Cygiel. “Once we shoot a campaign for a designer/manufacturer, our goal is to emotionally engage their retailer’s customers. It’s the end consumer that my campaigns speak to, yet some designer/manufacturers feel that they have to sell to the retail buyer, when in fact, their campaign should be focused on the retailer’s customer.”
His agency aims to help designers and manufacturers partner with their retailers to get their brand in front of their customers. He has created content for Rolex, Forevermark, Kwiat, Oscar Heyman, Rahaminov Diamonds, and Jack Kelége, and retail giants such as Neiman Marcus, Borsheims and Tivol.
For information, call (310) 902-3479, email eric@luxuryhammer.com or visit www.luxuryhammer.com.
World Diamond Council Seeks Executive Director
New York, NY—The World Diamond Council, the industry organization dedicated to the elimination of trade in conflict diamonds, has initiated an international search for an executive director to head the organization. It is the first time the organization will appoint a salaried administrator.
The new director will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organization, including managing the budget and membership drives, providing strategic direction, liaising with government, stakeholders and other organizations, and representing the WDC in the Kimberley Process and its various committees.
WDC seeks applicants with a minimum of 10-15 years' experience in an administrative role, with at least five years in a senior management position. General experience with extractives, commodities, manufacturing, specialty goods, retail or product supply chains would be an advantage, as would be knowledge about corporate and social responsibility, voluntary commitments and the implementation of intergovernmental agreements, and also the Kimberley Process. Location is flexible.
"The appointment of an executive director will be a key step in our process to reform the WDC, and to equip it to meet the challenges of the future," said Edward Asscher, WDC president. "It is a position that encompasses real challenge, and also one in which an individual can bring about positive change, both in the industry and in the lives of our stakeholders."
More details about the position can be downloaded here. Interested candidates should submit letters of application and curriculum citae no later than August 31, 2014, to secretary@worlddiamondcouncil.org.
CJDG Names New President and Vice President
Merrick, NY—The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group announces Malak Atut of ZAIKEN Jewelry as its incoming president and Julie Romanenko of Just Jules as its new vice president for the 2014-2016 term.
Atut praised outgoing president Vicente Agor of Vicente Agor Fine Jewelry, for his dedication to the association. "During his term, the CJDG experienced dramatic growth in visibility and in membership," she said. Agor will continue to serve as the CJDG Couture committee chair.
Atut looks forward to continuing the growth and visibility of the organization, as well as strengthening relationships with retailer members. "The retailers are key to the success of all of our members, and I hope to enhance their experience with the CJDG by introducing new benefits, and enhanced interaction with our designers."
Rebecca Overmann, of Rebecca Overmann Jewelry, and Elizabeth & Jack Gualtieri ,of Zaffiro Jewelry, remain in their previous positions of secretary and treasurer, respectively. Monica Stephenson also continues in her role as website editor.