COUTURE Las Vegas 2018: Debutant designer’s first time at the exhibition

May 24, 2018

By Katerina Perez

8 min read

COUTURE Las Vegas is one of the biggest and most significant jewellery exhibitions of the year. Between May 31st and June 4th at the Wynn hotel, more than 4,000 jewellery buyers and over 100 trade and consumer publication representatives are expected to attend, all searching for the best new jewellery designs to showcase and celebrate!

The benefits of presenting jewellery in Las Vegas are numerous; but in particular, this exhibit offers visibility to a range of important US buyers and members of the jewellery industry, from whom large orders are placed through consignment. Exposure within this desirable market is what drives jewellery brands to participate in the exhibition year after year since 1995, and every year we see new names joining long-standing participants. This year over 35 debutants will present their intriguing designs at the fair and a selection of my favourite COUTURE 2018 newcomers is below.

href=”https://nadineaysoy.com/about” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Nadine Aysoy

Nadine Aysoy only began her eponymous jewellery collection in 2016, and rapidly gained such accolades as being named ‘Editor’s Choice’ at IJL 2017, and even had the honour of her jewellery being included in Christie’s permanent collection. For COUTURE 2018 Nadine introduces the new ‘Dans Mon Jardin’ collection, which features floral motifs, cocktail rings and Nadine’s signature femininity.  

Nadine Aysoy 'Tsarina Fire Flake' ring in rhodolite, pink sapphires and diamonds

Nadine Aysoy 'Tsarina Fire Flake' ring in rhodolite, pink sapphires and diamonds

 Nadine Aysoy 'Tsarina Spring Flake' earrings in peridots and diamond

Nadine Aysoy 'Tsarina Spring Flake' earrings in peridots and diamond

 Nadine Aysoy 'Art Deco' earrings in topaz, tourmalines, diamonds and pearls

Nadine Aysoy 'Art Deco' earrings in topaz, tourmalines, diamonds and pearls

 Nadine Aysoy 'Elle et Lui' ring in yellow beryl , diamonds and pearl

Nadine Aysoy 'Elle et Lui' ring in yellow beryl , diamonds and pearl

 Nadine Aysoy 'Elle et Lui' earrings in white and yellow gold, with diamonds and pearls

Nadine Aysoy 'Elle et Lui' earrings in white and yellow gold, with diamonds and pearls

 Nadine Aysoy 'Mille et une Feuilles' ring in diamonds and pearl

Nadine Aysoy 'Mille et une Feuilles' ring in diamonds and pearl

href=”http://www.vakjewellery.com/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>V.A.K. jewellery

V.A.K. jewellery is elaborate in its construction, but particularly focuses on exceptional and unusual diamond cuts and settings. Vishal Kothari’s family have 3 generations of experience in jewellery creation, and the designer himself garnered gem knowledge at New York’s Gemological Institute of America. His work is imbued with passion for picking the best stones. What makes his work unique is the references to both Indian handicraft techniques and ancient cultures, which combine V.A.K.’s contemporary style with the heritage. 

VAK Fine Jewellery earrings with orange sapphires and diamonds

VAK Fine Jewellery earrings with orange sapphires and diamonds

 VAK Fine Jewellery diamond earrings

VAK Fine Jewellery diamond earrings

 VAK Fine Jewellery opal ring with diamonds and purple sapphires

VAK Fine Jewellery opal ring with diamonds and purple sapphires

href=”http://www.mokshjewellery.com/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Moksh

A 50-year family legacy of jewellery making is behind the brand Moksh. The ‘TAANTVI’ line in particular has proved to be a tremendous success, having been created using miniature Japanese keshi pearls. The name ‘TAANTVI’ translates in Sanskrit to mean ‘weave’ – referring to the delicate weaving of the delicate white pearls in Moksh jewellery. Inspired by Indian aesthetics, Moksh has created beautiful pieces with the harmony and symmetry typical for jewellery of their native country. 

Moksh 'TAANTVI' earrings with keshi pearls and diamond

Moksh 'TAANTVI' earrings with keshi pearls and diamond

 Moksh 'Symphony' necklace in pearls and diamond

Moksh 'Symphony' necklace in pearls and diamond

 Moksh earrings in diamonds and pearls

Moksh earrings in diamonds and pearls

href=”http://www.mokshjewellery.com/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Baenteli

Baenteli is a Swiss brand who will join COUTURE exhibitors for the first time to introduce their playful, voluminous and gem – embellished jewellery design. The illustrious history of the brand began with André Baenteli opening his first studio in Biel, Switzerland in 1968, and 1987, Andre’s son, Thierry Baenteli, presented his first collection at the prestigious Baselworld exhibition. Since then, the brand has also presented in VicenzaOro, and are now taking the stage in the USA.  

Baenteli 'Cascades' rings in diamonds, pink sapphires and blue sapphires

Baenteli 'Cascades' rings in diamonds, pink sapphires and blue sapphires

 Baenteli 'Spheres' ring in pink sapphires and diamonds

Baenteli 'Spheres' ring in pink sapphires and diamonds

 Baenteli 'Royales' ring with diamonds

Baenteli 'Royales' ring with diamonds

 Baenteli 'Spheres' ring in pink sapphires and diamonds

Baenteli 'Spheres' ring in pink sapphires and diamonds

 Baenteli 'Cascades' double finger rings in diamonds and pink sapphires

Baenteli 'Cascades' double finger rings in diamonds and pink sapphires

href=”https://lizabelotserkovskaya.com/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Liza Belotserkovskaya

Marina Belotserkovskaya is the creative director of Lithuanian brand Liza Belotserkovskaya, which she named after her daughter. Her jewellery has a bold signature style; and is inspired by gothic architecture, often incorporating vivid gemstones combined with dark metals and settings. Marina is a prolific designer, having created more than 1000 hand drawn jewellery design sketches before embarking on production of her jewellery line. 

Liza Belotserkovskaya earrings with London topaz, tourmalines and diamonds

Liza Belotserkovskaya earrings with London topaz, tourmalines and diamonds

 Liza Belotserkovskaya 'Magic Forest' ring with aquamarine, sapphires and diamonds

Liza Belotserkovskaya 'Magic Forest' ring with aquamarine, sapphires and diamonds

 Liza Belotserkovskaya brooch in black gold with tourmalines and diamonds

Liza Belotserkovskaya brooch in black gold with tourmalines and diamonds

 Liza Belotserkovskaya earrings with garnets and diamonds

Liza Belotserkovskaya earrings with garnets and diamonds

 Liza Belotserkovskaya ring with garnets and diamonds

Liza Belotserkovskaya ring with garnets and diamonds

href=”https://grazielagems.com/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Graziela Gems

Graziela Kaufman from Graziela Gems is a GIA-certified designer who I met several years ago, and I instantly fell in love with the colourful and gem-focused designs that reflect her joyous personality. Graziela grew up in Brazil – famed for being the source of many vibrant gemstones – and travelled to different mining towns learning about the fascinating history behind every stone which would unltimately be the inspiration for her future creations. Jennifer Lawrence, Heidi Klum Karlie Kloss and Lupita Nyong’o have all been spotted wearing Graziela Gems.

Graziela 'Paraiba Obsession' ear cuffs in Paraibas and diamonds

Graziela 'Paraiba Obsession' ear cuffs in Paraibas and diamonds

 Graziela 'Paraiba Obsession' earrings in Paraibas and diamonds

Graziela 'Paraiba Obsession' earrings in Paraibas and diamonds

 Graziela 'Midnight Aquamarine' ring in aquamarines, Paraibas and diamonds

Graziela 'Midnight Aquamarine' ring in aquamarines, Paraibas and diamonds

 Graziela 'Midnight Aquamarine' earrings in aquamarines, Paraibas, sapphires and diamonds

Graziela 'Midnight Aquamarine' earrings in aquamarines, Paraibas, sapphires and diamonds

 Graziela 'Paraiba Obsession' earrings in Paraibas, rubellites and diamonds

Graziela 'Paraiba Obsession' earrings in Paraibas, rubellites and diamonds

href=”http://ruthgrieco.com.br/site/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Ruth Grieco

Although this will be her first outing at COUTURE Las Vegas, Ruth Grieco has been creating fine jewellery since 1975. Her designs combine precious metals, a host of gemstones, pearls, carving techniques and natural motifs, which result in a warm and vibrant collection of jewellery that is clearly inspired by the colours and attitudes of the Brazilian designer’s homeland. Ruth Grieco even has a book title to her name; in 2012, Didier Brodbeck wrote ‘Romancing the stones’, an ode to her jewellery creations. 

Ruth Grieco brooches with tourmalines, blue topaz and diamond from Primavera collection

Ruth Grieco brooches with tourmalines, blue topaz and diamond from Primavera collection

 Ruth Grieco bangles that can be transformed into a necklace, embellished with yellow diamond slices and colourless diamonds

Ruth Grieco bangles that can be transformed into a necklace, embellished with yellow diamond slices and colourless diamonds

 Ruth Grieco 'Siren' in yellow gold and diamonds

Ruth Grieco 'Siren' in yellow gold and diamonds

href=”http://ruthgrieco.com.br/site/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Panchoo

Panchoo is a brand which is the brainchild of Mahak Kala, who comes from a family of gemstone dealers in India who specialise in tanzanite. The art of jewellery creation then led Mahak to design some incredibly colourful pieces which are gemstone focused, and this undeniably attention grabbing jewellery will work well for the brand’s debut at COUTURE 2018.

Panchoo necklace with amethysts, pink opals, rhodolites and diamonds

Panchoo necklace with amethysts, pink opals, rhodolites and diamonds

 Panchoo bangle with tanzanites, sapphires, aquamarines, blue spinels, moonstones and diamonds

Panchoo bangle with tanzanites, sapphires, aquamarines, blue spinels, moonstones and diamonds

 Panchoo 'Jaipuriya' cuff in spinels, sapphires, iolites, tsavorites, amethysts, turquoise and diamonds

Panchoo 'Jaipuriya' cuff in spinels, sapphires, iolites, tsavorites, amethysts, turquoise and diamonds

 Panchoo 'Jaipuriya' cuff in spinels, sapphires, iolites, tsavorites, amethysts, turquoise and diamonds

Panchoo 'Jaipuriya' cuff in spinels, sapphires, iolites, tsavorites, amethysts, turquoise and diamonds

 Panchoo necklace with emeralds, spinels, opals, yellow and colourless diamonds

Panchoo necklace with emeralds, spinels, opals, yellow and colourless diamonds

If you are visiting COUTURE Las Vegas 2018, be sure to visit the stalls of new designers and those who are first time visitors as well as the stalwarts of the exhibition. The variety of jewellery designers who join the fair every year are what keeps the event relevant, exciting and fresh with the luxury industry. I hope to see you there!

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