Round-Up: Couture Design Awards 2016

June 14, 2016

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

Another Couture exhibition in Las Vegas – the only event of its kind that emphasises on jewellery design – has come to its end. It is accompanied by the Couture Design Awards jewellery contest where participants ‘fight’ for the best jewellery design in different categories. To receive a Couture Design Awards means to gain ​the ​recognition of ​professionals from the ​jewellery industry​as well as the public (there is a special ‘People’s Choice’ category). Each year, about 200 contestants compete for the award by presenting their most intriguing jewellery pieces to the panel comprising five ​elite ​judges.

This year, the winning designs were selected by the multiple award-winning jeweller Arun Bora from Arunashi. Other judges who assessed the designs were Adam Glassman, Creative Director of O-The Oprah Magazine, jeweller and gemmologist John Green, American journalist Rachel Garrahan and Soraya Cayen, owner of the multi-brand Cayen Collection boutique. I can imagine how difficult it was for the panel to make their choice, as each piece submitted at the competition was beautiful and special in its own way. However, the best work in each category has already been selected and the results of the competition have been announced. Here are the winners and runner-ups of the Couture Design Awards.

Best in Bridal

Winner: Polly Wales // 1st Runner Up: John Apel; 2nd Runner Up: Kataoka Jewelry & Objects d’art

Winner: Polly Wales // 1st Runner Up: John Apel; 2nd Runner Up: Kataoka Jewelry & Objects d’art

Best in Colored Gemstones Above 20K

Winner: Selim Mouzannar // 1st Runner Up: K. Brunini Jewels; 2nd Runner Up: Lydia Courteille

Winner: Selim Mouzannar // 1st Runner Up: K. Brunini Jewels; 2nd Runner Up: Lydia Courteille

Best in Colored Gemstones Below 20K

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Inbar; 2nd Runner Up: Roule & Co.

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Inbar; 2nd Runner Up: Roule & Co.

Best in Diamonds Above 20K

Winner: Stephen Webster // 1st Runner Up: Exstravaganze by Labor & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Roberto Demeglio

Winner: Stephen Webster // 1st Runner Up: Exstravaganze by Labor & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Roberto Demeglio

Best in Diamonds Below 20K

Winner: Yannis Sergakis Adornments // 1st Runner Up: Qayten; 2nd Runner Up: J. Jewels Milano

Winner: Yannis Sergakis Adornments // 1st Runner Up: Qayten; 2nd Runner Up: J. Jewels Milano

Best in Gold

Winner: Imogen Belfield // 1st Runner Up: Elena Votsi; 2nd Runner Up: Shaill Jhaveri

Winner: Imogen Belfield // 1st Runner Up: Elena Votsi; 2nd Runner Up: Shaill Jhaveri

Best in Haute Couture

Winner: Nikos Koulis // 1st Runner Up: Vhernier; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Winner: Nikos Koulis // 1st Runner Up: Vhernier; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Best in Innovative

Winner: Silvia Furmanovich // 1st Runner Up: Pesavento; 2nd Runner Up: Deakin & Francis

Winner: Silvia Furmanovich // 1st Runner Up: Pesavento; 2nd Runner Up: Deakin & Francis

Best in Pearl

Winner: Mizuki // 1st Runner Up: Riviere & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Paul Morelli

Winner: Mizuki // 1st Runner Up: Riviere & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Paul Morelli

Best in Platinum

Winner: Kuwayama // 1st Runner Up: Isabelle Fa ; 2nd Runner Up: Alishan

Winner: Kuwayama // 1st Runner Up: Isabelle Fa ; 2nd Runner Up: Alishan

Best in Silver

Winner: Anthony Lent // 1st Runner Up: Annie Fensterstock; 2nd Runner Up: Nancy Newberg

Winner: Anthony Lent // 1st Runner Up: Annie Fensterstock; 2nd Runner Up: Nancy Newberg

Best in Debuting

Winner: Kavant & Sharart // 1st Runner Up: Roule & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Winner: Kavant & Sharart // 1st Runner Up: Roule & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Editor’s Choice Award

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Nancy Newberg; 2nd Runner Up: Vhernier

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Nancy Newberg; 2nd Runner Up: Vhernier

People’s Choice Award

Winner: Anita Ko // Finalist: Jorg Heinz; Finalist: Schaffrath

Winner: Anita Ko // Finalist: Jorg Heinz; Finalist: Schaffrath

Mauro Felter: Jewellery Interpretations Of The Natural Environment

continue reading

Haute Couture 2025: Exploring Harmonious Balance with the Cartier En Équilibre High Jewellery Collection

Each of the En Équilibre hero creations is composed like a character in a story that we can easily follow. Let’s take a closer look… 

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: A Botanical Reawakening with the Chaumet Jewels by Nature Collection

From magnolia blooms to iris petals caught in the breeze, Chaumet’s Jewels by Nature is a high jewellery collection rooted in the way Empress Joséphine romanticised the natural world.

by Claire Roberts

Setting Themselves Apart: 7 Designers Rethinking the Role of the Gemstone Setting

In jewellery making, the setting is often a silent partner—a technical necessity that secures the stones in place while receding into the background. But a new generation of designers is flipping that script, transforming the process of setting gems into an expressive, sculptural and narrative force.

by Claire Roberts

Beauty of Beginnings: Exploring the Potential of Paper with Katerina Perez

If you are optimistic by nature, you may look at a blank sheet of paper and see limitless opportunities for creativity. Recently, my friend and visual artist Ksenia Usacheva approached me about a new ‘blank canvas’ inspired editorial project, incorporating reams of white paper, brushstrokes of colourful paint, and beautiful high jewellery.

by Ksenia Usacheva

Haute Couture 2025: Stepping Inside ‘Caroline’s Universe’ with the Chopard Red Carpet Collection

Let's take a closer look at some of Caroline Scheufele's latest colourful adornments, including our 10 favourite pieces.

by Sarah Jordan

Beauty Shapes Tomorrow: Nouvel Héritage Unveils High Jewels for 10th Anniversary

For French brand Nouvel Héritage, the time has come to unveil its debut suite of five high jewellery creations, each one an ode to its iconic Mood and Latch collections, as well as the soon-to-be-launched Try Me line.

by Sarah Jordan

Incomparable Artistry: The Legendary Story of Beverly Hills Jewellery Designer Martin Katz 

This formidable Californian jeweller has spent decades sourcing the finest coloured gemstones, creating one-of-a-kind jewels, and dressing famous celebrities. Let me tell you more about an incomparable jewellery tour de force…

by Sarah Jordan

Prophecy and Poetry: The Story Behind My Bespoke Pendant by El’eeté Jewellery

Sometimes universal forces align to put the right person in your path at the perfect time. That was absolutely the case when one of my Instagram followers, Elvira Iurova, the Founder of El’eeté Jewellery, contacted me to introduce her unique bespoke jewellery concept.

by Katerina Perez

Haute Couture 2025: The Most Impressive Flower High Jewels that Bloomed in Paris

Floral jewels have long been a hallmark of high jewellery, but at this year’s Haute Couture presentations in Paris, designers approached the motif with renewed focus and technical ambition. Here, we spotlight the standout floral creations from the 2025 shows.

by Joshua Hendren

Haute Couture 2025: Celebrating 20 Years with the Messika Terres d’Instinct High Jewellery Collection 

Let’s take a closer look at the collection, including some of its neckwear highlights, and discover its romantic inspirations…

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: Exploring the Debut High Jewellery Collection of Sahag Arslanian

This July’s Haute Couture Week in Paris was marked with the exciting launch of a new high jewellery brand that bears the name of its founder. Third-generation diamantaire Sahag Arslanian presented his inaugural series of high jewels, drawing inspiration from the power of the sun and the cosmic world.

by Katerina Perez

Haute Couture 2025: Boucheron Explores Shades of Grey with the Impermanence High Jewellery Collection 

With its Carte Blanche High Jewellery collections, Boucheron's Creative Director Claire Choisne has the power to explore whatever fantastical avenue she pleases, which in 2025 centres on flowers and the natural world.

by Sarah Jordan

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Elevated Expression:Examining The Jade Dynasty Collection by Austy Lee

Let's hear what he has to say on China's most emblematic mineral…

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.