The 15 winners of the Couture Awards in Las Vegas. An Italian, Carolina Bucci, no Frenches, Fernando Jorge does an encore and … ♦ ︎
A rather disappointing show for Italian and French designers, judging by the winners of the Couture Design Awards. Only an Italian, Carolina Bucci (who then lives and works in London), no French and, to keep the flag of old Europe high, there are a Greek, Nikos Koulis, who is a subscriber to the triumphs on the Las Vegas stage, a Briton, Stephen Webster, and the Danish Shamballa. In any case, here are the 15 winners of the prize: 13 were selected by a jury and two by the public.
As mentioned, Carolina Bucci won the Best in Gold award with a jewel-scarf. The Florentine designer, in fact, often uses for his work a knitting in Florentine style, his homeland. Another little piece of Italy, in fact, was represented by Rosario Autore, an Italian who has been living in Australia for years and is specialized in pearls. In fact, he won the Best in Pearls award with a pearl necklace of the Mari del Su with his brand, Autore (it is the fourth prize he receives at Couture). Webster, instead, won in the Best in Innovative category with a pair of full circle earrings with diamonds.
The recognition as Best in Bridal was awarded to the American New York Eva Fehren, with a diamond ring that all the promised brides would like to receive. So much so that the designer does not want to sell it. From Cleveland, however, comes Heather B. Moore, winner of the Best in Silver award with a curious bracelet adorned with elephants. A gem against poaching, she said. Instead, she is the winner of the Best in Color Gemstones Under 20K $, Ann Korman, designer of Ark Fine Jewelry, with her earrings in opal and moonstone. The Best in Platinum has crossed the Pacific Ocean and landed in Japan, home of the Kuwayama brand, for a necklace composed of effervescent bubbles.
Other winners: Best in Colored, award for the best colored gemstones over 20,000 dollars, was won by the Indian Amrapali Jewels for a brooch with 50-carat emerald and one of the diamonds with “lotus cut”. Best in Diamonds Below $ 20K went to Studio Rêves for a pair of earrings, while the Best in Diamonds over $ 20K was won by Mike Joseph with an impressive cascade necklace.
Also awarded for the Best in Couture Design Award Men category by the Danish company Shamballa Jewels for the 18K gold-plated SJ Flip bracelet with gems. Best in Debuting went to Vram, Maison based in Los Angeles and founded by Vram Minassian. As mentioned, Nikos Koulis won the perhaps most prestigious award, Best in Haute Couture, for a necklace with diamonds, enamels and rock crystals. The Editor’s Choice went to the earrings of the Brazilian Fernando Jorge, who repeated last year’s prize in the Diamonds Above 20K $ category. Finally, the People’s Choice, voted live during the award show, went to Julez Bryant for a skull-shaped pendant. Giulia Netrese
