Top Class: The Winners of the Couture Design Awards 2023

June 16, 2023

By Sarah Jordan

12 min read

Every year I visit Couture in Las Vegas with a sense of excited anticipation. What new treasures will I discover around every corner? This year, I had the pleasure of attending the Couture Design Awards to discover who had secured the coveted accolades across 14 categories, including ‘Best in Coloured Gemstones’ and ‘Best in Haute Couture’. Here is my rundown of the first, second and third-place winners in each category, plus a closer look at some of my favourite award-winning creations…

The Couture Design Awards were already off to a flying start when the judges of this year’s contest were unveiled. Jewellery designer Ara Vartanian; founder and editorial director of The Adventurine, Marion Fasel; director of sales at Borsheims Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Sean Moore; Lucy Reese, the deputy editor of New York-based magazine, Galerie, and jewellery expert, stylist and CEO of the Il Cammeo jewellery store network, Iryna Omelchenko… what a lineup! Of course, each person brought their own perspectives and taste to the competition, which led to a diverse array of winners, including first-time exhibitors. The lucky entrants were invited to collect their awards on the evening of June 3, 2023, but there were some surprises on the night too. For example, the ‘Editor’s Choice Award’ is voted for by attending media representatives, while Couture’s entire retailer community chose the winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’ via an on-the-night texting system.

Kim Cosella of Sorellina collecting her Couture Design Award

Kim Cosella of Sorellina collecting her Couture Design Award

I just love that I get to be a part of celebrating you, your creativity, your talent, your passion and enthusiasm, and all of the hard work you put into getting to COUTURE each year. This is your night; we are here to celebrate you! – Gannon Brousseau, Couture Director

So, who lit up the Encore Theatre? Well, it is worth noting the fantastic performance of French brands this year, including Maison Alix Dumas, who we featured in 2021, Alexandra Rosier Abramczyk, Messika, and Persée Paris. The ‘Best in Gold’ category is a case in point, with Parisian fine jewellery brand Viltier winning the top spot for a sensational gold and diamond bracelet. Cadar designer Michal Kadar wowed in second place with the Flora choker – an ethereal and voluminous 18k gold mesh blossom adorned with diamond dew drops and diamond-tipped stamens. Finally, German brand IsabelleFa scooped the third sport with a meticulously engineered ring.

Jewellery designers Thomas Montier Leboucher and Iris de la Villardière from Maison Viltier

Jewellery designers Thomas Montier Leboucher and Iris de la Villardière from Maison Viltier

 Viltier 18k gold and diamond bracelet - 'Best in Gold' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Viltier 18k gold and diamond bracelet - 'Best in Gold' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Eponymous founder and designer Michal Kadar

Eponymous founder and designer Michal Kadar

 Michal Kadar Flora choker in 18k gold and diamonds - 'Best in Gold' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Michal Kadar Flora choker in 18k gold and diamonds - 'Best in Gold' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Isabelle Mössner of IsabelleFa

Isabelle Mössner of IsabelleFa

 Isabelle Fa 18k gold ring - 'Best in Gold' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Isabelle Fa 18k gold ring - 'Best in Gold' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

In the ‘Best in Bridal’ category, the top three spots were taken by Los Angeles-based Retrouvaí, Italian designer Bea Bongiasca, and Miami-based Phillips House. Interestingly all three pieces are crafted in yellow gold with fancy-cut diamonds and unusual asymmetric settings. Pearls were exemplified by Persée Paris in first place, followed by Nomis and Amrapali London. The latter’s layered necklace is exactly what one would expect from this brand, which has roots in Jaipur. For the ‘Best in Platinum’ category, New York brand Sorellina took the top spot with a cool pearl, pink gemstone and diamond necklace, followed by Henrich & Denzel GmbH and TenThousandThings.

Kirsty Stone, the designer and creator behind Retrouvaí

Kirsty Stone, the designer and creator behind Retrouvaí

 Retrouvai 18k gold and diamond ring - 'Best in Bridal' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Retrouvai 18k gold and diamond ring - 'Best in Bridal' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Italian jewellery designer Bea Bongiasca

Italian jewellery designer Bea Bongiasca

 Bea Bongiasca 18k gold and diamond ring - 'Best in Bridal' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Bea Bongiasca 18k gold and diamond ring - 'Best in Bridal' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Lisa Phillips Frankel and Danielle Frankel Nemiroff, founders of Phillips House

Lisa Phillips Frankel and Danielle Frankel Nemiroff, founders of Phillips House

 Phillips House 18k gold and diamond ring - 'Best in Bridal' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Phillips House 18k gold and diamond ring - 'Best in Bridal' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Persée Paris founder Nawal Laoui

Persée Paris founder Nawal Laoui

 Persée Paris gold, pearl and diamond earrings - 'Best in Pearls' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Persée Paris gold, pearl and diamond earrings - 'Best in Pearls' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Alyona Kiperman, the founder of Nomis Jewelry

Alyona Kiperman, the founder of Nomis Jewelry

 Nomis gold, pearl and diamond necklace - 'Best in Pearls' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Nomis gold, pearl and diamond necklace - 'Best in Pearls' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Sameer Lilani, CEO of Amrapali London

Sameer Lilani, CEO of Amrapali London

 Amrapali London gold, pearl, coloured gemstone and diamond necklace - 'Best in Pearls' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Amrapali London gold, pearl, coloured gemstone and diamond necklace - 'Best in Pearls' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Nicole and Kim Carosella, founders of Sorellina Fine Jewellery

Nicole and Kim Carosella, founders of Sorellina Fine Jewellery

 Sorellina platinum, pearl, coloured gemstone and diamond necklace - 'Best in Platinum' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Sorellina platinum, pearl, coloured gemstone and diamond necklace - 'Best in Platinum' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Henrich & Denzel GmbH chief executive officer, Christian Brueggerhoff

Henrich & Denzel GmbH chief executive officer, Christian Brueggerhoff

 Henrich & Denzel GmbH platinum and diamond ring - 'Best in Platinum' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Henrich & Denzel GmbH platinum and diamond ring - 'Best in Platinum' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Ron Anderson and David Rees, founders of Ten Thousand Things

Ron Anderson and David Rees, founders of Ten Thousand Things

 Ten Thousand Things platinum, pearl and diamond necklace - 'Best in Platinum' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Ten Thousand Things platinum, pearl and diamond necklace - 'Best in Platinum' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Also, let’s not forget the ‘Best in Debuting’ category, reserved for brands and designers appearing at Couture in Las Vegas for the first time. The Italian brand Peruffo claimed the top spot, followed by Maison Alix Dumas and Alexandra Rosier. The winning collar combines 18k yellow gold with blue agate studs in a style that is evocative of Peruffo’s creative director, Marta Martino’s geometric and pyramidical approach to design.

Peruffo gold and gemstone necklace - 'Best in Debuting' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Peruffo gold and gemstone necklace - 'Best in Debuting' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Enrico Peruffo of Italian Jewellery brand Peruffo

Enrico Peruffo of Italian Jewellery brand Peruffo

Maison Alix Dumas gold and gemstone brooch - 'Best in Debuting' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Maison Alix Dumas gold and gemstone brooch - 'Best in Debuting' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Designer Alix Dumas

Designer Alix Dumas

Alexandra Rosier gold and gemstone pendant - 'Best in Debuting' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Alexandra Rosier gold and gemstone pendant - 'Best in Debuting' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Jewellery designer Alexandra Rosier

Jewellery designer Alexandra Rosier

I have always appreciated that the Couture Design Awards consider different price brackets. In the ‘Best in Below $10,000 Retail’ category, London-based NeverNoT won with its Travel Suitcase pendant necklace, followed by Stephen Webster and VAN @ Muse for its bejewelled robot. Similarly, there’s the ‘Best in Diamonds Below $40,000 Retail’ category, which awarded ONDYN first place, Eva Fehren second place and 64Facets third place, and the ‘Best in Coloured Gems Under $40,000 Retail’ secured by Kamyen, Cicada and Sylva & Cie.

NeverNoT  Travel Suitcase pendant necklace - 'Best in Below 10k Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

NeverNoT Travel Suitcase pendant necklace - 'Best in Below 10k Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Jewellery designer Stephen Webster

Jewellery designer Stephen Webster

Stephen Webster enamel and gold ring - 'Best in Below 10k Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Stephen Webster enamel and gold ring - 'Best in Below 10k Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Tatiana Van Lancker, founder of VAN

Tatiana Van Lancker, founder of VAN

VAN @ Muse gold and gemstone pendant - 'Best in Below 10k Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

VAN @ Muse gold and gemstone pendant - 'Best in Below 10k Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

I’m so happy this award is so heavy; I feel like I’m going to fly to the roof. I just want to say I am so proud and honoured to be a part of this family. We’re so different from the fashion industry, where everyone snubs each other. We support each other, and it’s so beautiful. Thank you for showing us the love. – Couture Design Award winner Tara Maria Famiglietti of ONDYN

Tara Maria Famiglietti, designer and creator of Ondyn Fine Jewellery

Tara Maria Famiglietti, designer and creator of Ondyn Fine Jewellery

Ondyn Fine Jewellery gold and diamond earrings - 'Best in Diamonds Below $40K Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Ondyn Fine Jewellery gold and diamond earrings - 'Best in Diamonds Below $40K Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Jewellery designer Eva Fehren

Jewellery designer Eva Fehren

Eva Fehren gold and diamond earrings - 'Best in Diamonds Below $40K Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Eva Fehren gold and diamond earrings - 'Best in Diamonds Below $40K Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

64Facets gold and diamond earrings - 'Best in Diamonds Below $40K Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

64Facets gold and diamond earrings - 'Best in Diamonds Below $40K Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Kamyen diamond and emerald earrings - 'Best in Coloured Gemstones Below $40K Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Kamyen diamond and emerald earrings - 'Best in Coloured Gemstones Below $40K Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Cicada gold, diamond and  coloured gemstone cuff - 'Best in Coloured Gemstones Below $40K Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Cicada gold, diamond and coloured gemstone cuff - 'Best in Coloured Gemstones Below $40K Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Sylva & Cie. gold and  coloured gemstone ring - 'Best in Coloured Gemstones Below $40K Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Sylva & Cie. gold and coloured gemstone ring - 'Best in Coloured Gemstones Below $40K Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Let’s explore three of my personal favourite categories: ‘Best in Diamonds Above $40,000’, ‘Best in Haute Couture’ and Best in Coloured Gemstones Above $40,000 Retail’. The scene stealer in the diamond category was Etho Maria, followed by Busatti 1947 and Mattioli. Next, for ‘Haute Couture’, I was thrilled to see Maison Alix Dumas excel for the eponymous designer’s extraordinary handmade Magnolia Flower – an Art Nouveau-inspired gold, silver and anodized titanium brooch with spinels, sapphires and diamonds. Hot on her heels were French brand Messika for an elaborate collar necklace and Victor Velyan for a cuff bracelet bursting with Paraiba tourmalines.

Etho Maria diamond bracelet - 'Best in Diamonds Above $40K Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Etho Maria diamond bracelet - 'Best in Diamonds Above $40K Retail' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Busatti 1947 diamond cuff - 'Best in Diamonds Above $40K Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Busatti 1947 diamond cuff - 'Best in Diamonds Above $40K Retail' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Mattioli diamond ring - 'Best in Diamonds Above $40K Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Mattioli diamond ring - 'Best in Diamonds Above $40K Retail' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Valerie Messika, creator and designer behind Messika Fine Jewellery

Valerie Messika, creator and designer behind Messika Fine Jewellery

Messika diamond necklace - 'Best in Haute Couture' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Messika diamond necklace - 'Best in Haute Couture' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Jewellery designer Victor Velyan

Jewellery designer Victor Velyan

Victor Velyan gold and tourmaline cuff - 'Best in Haute Couture' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Victor Velyan gold and tourmaline cuff - 'Best in Haute Couture' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Green dominated the ‘Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000’ category, including the deep hues of malachite in the top spot stealing necklace by Aletto Brothers. Completing this category was Tangarart in second place and Couturemark in third for a lilac-hued cabochon gemstone necklace.

Aletto Brothers diamond and malachite necklace - 'Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Aletto Brothers diamond and malachite necklace - 'Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Tangarart diamond and emerald earrings - 'Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Tangarart diamond and emerald earrings - 'Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Couturemark diamond and coloured gemstone necklace - 'Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Couturemark diamond and coloured gemstone necklace - 'Best in Coloured Gems Above $ 40,000' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Remember the debuting Italian brand Peruffo that I mentioned earlier? It was a fantastic night for this Vicenza native as it secured the ‘Best in Debuting Award’, plus third place in the ‘Best in Innovative’ category, ‘Best in Editor’s Choice’ category and first place in the ‘Best in People’s Choice’ category. Marie Lichtenberg led the innovation category for her deceptively simple golden necklace, followed by Studio Renn for its articulated Seed-Leaf bracelet in 18k white and yellow gold with diamonds. ‘Best in Editor’s Choice’ spotlighted TenThousandThings in first place and Gismondi1754 in second, followed by ‘Best in People’s Choice’ awarding Peruffo, Vendorafa and David Oscarson (for a remarkable decorative pocketknife!) in that order.

Marie Lichtenberg gold necklace- 'Best in Innovative' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Marie Lichtenberg gold necklace- 'Best in Innovative' 1st Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

 Jewellery designer Marie Lichtenberg

Jewellery designer Marie Lichtenberg

Rahul and Roshni Jhaveri, founders of Studio Renn

Rahul and Roshni Jhaveri, founders of Studio Renn

Studio Renn gold, white gold, diamond and coloured gemstone bracelet- 'Best in Innovative' 2rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Studio Renn gold, white gold, diamond and coloured gemstone bracelet- 'Best in Innovative' 2rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Gismondi1754 diamond and sapphire necklace - 'The Editor's Choice' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Gismondi1754 diamond and sapphire necklace - 'The Editor's Choice' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Vendorafa gold necklace - 'The People's Choice' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

Vendorafa gold necklace - 'The People's Choice' 2nd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

David Oscarson decorative pocketknife - 'The People's Choice' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

David Oscarson decorative pocketknife - 'The People's Choice' 3rd Place winner at the Couture Design Awards 2023

To conclude the night, the Couture Design Awards presented its special Cindy Edelstein Award. The recipient this year was John Green of Lux Bond and Green, who was honoured for his “unabated enthusiasm, his continual support and mentorship of designers and his dedication to the industry,” according to the Couture team. In his acceptance speed, Green toasted the 125-year history of his fifth-generation family business, which will be continued by his son, Charlie.

John Green, president of Lux Bond and Green (left) at the Couture Design Awards 2023

John Green, president of Lux Bond and Green (left) at the Couture Design Awards 2023

I can’t imagine there is a much better feeling than knowing a community of your peers has awarded you the ‘Best in Show’ for your chosen category. I’d like to personally congratulate all the winners of this year’s Couture Design AwardsStudio Renn and encourage them to keep crafting exceptional objects and fine jewels that tell their unique stories. In our hectic world, we must take every opportunity to celebrate beauty and art.

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