This two-page spread was in a recent copy of INDESIGN magazine and it just brings to mind the great designs and people who were celebrated at the 2011 Couture Awards. We're already knee-deep in prep for 2012 -- wonder how our designers will ever top themselves but of course, we know they will!
The 24k Club of Southern California, a preiminent trade organization, has chosen two fantastic ladies this year to receive their Excellence in Service award.
Both entrepreneurs are members of our Couture Community and both bring exceptional presence, grace and excitment to our show.
Designer Erica Courtney of Beverly Hills, CA and Lula Halfacre of Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach, CA will be celebrated on Saturday, October 22nd for their "exceptional leadership and contributions to the fine jewelry industry," says Steve Weiss, 24 Karat President. “Erica and Lula have the qualities of being exceptional leaders. Having worked with them on the 24 Karat Board, they are also extraordinary people.”
It's great to see these ladies be acknowledged for their industry contributions -- we tip our hats to you, too!
Erica Courtney
Since 1984, Erica Courtney has been building one of the most recognized and successful fine jewelry brands in the industry. Inspired by the history and glamour of Hollywood, Erica designs from her heart and strives to “create jewelry that is treasured and remembered.”
Based in Los Angeles, Erica Courtney is always a favorite on the red carpet and in media. Her covetable designs have been worn by Madonna, Julia Roberts, and Johnny Depp – just to name a few. Her jewelry has also has also graced the pages of Vogue, InStyle, People and The New York Times.
Erica’s intense love affair with master craftsmanship is embodied in each and every exquisite piece in her award-winning collection. Not only has she received accolades from celebrities and press, Erica has also gained notoriety from her peers, winning numerous awards from Women’s Jewelry Association, AGTA Spectrum, United Brand and Town & Country.
Erica Courtney jewelry can make anyone feel like royalty, and undeniably DROP DEAD GORGEOUS®.
Lula Halfacre
Lula Halfacre is the CEO/CFO of Traditional Jewelers located in Fashion Island in Newport Beach and Cross Creek Road in Malibu, California. Lula and her late husband, Marion Halfacre, opened their first store in 1975 in Mississippi and moved to Newport Beach four years later. This move allowed Traditional Jewelers to grow into one of the top independent fine jewelers of the Unites States – and in 1991, they relocated to prestigious Fashion Island, where their store remains today.
When founder Marion Halfacre sadly passed away in 2007, Lula appointed five family members to continue the expansion of the company. Since that time, the family has successfully maintained the traditions, service, quality and integrity that have become synonymous with Traditional Jewelers.
In 2008, Traditional Jewelers opened a second location in Malibu’s premier retail center, Country Mart Plaza. The same year, Lula Halfacre was named “Citizen of the Year for Newport Beach”. Today, Traditional Jewelers continues to give back to the community with donations to over 100 charities per year and continues its involvement with the Newport Beach and Orange County communities.
It was quite the bash -- more than 650 of the fine jewelry industry's best and brightest gathered at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in NYC last week to socialize and celebrate some pretty terrific people.
This annual event by the Women's Jewelry Association has a slate of categories in their Awards for Excellence program -- they recognize retailers, editors, marketers and sales people.
And this year, there were two Couture community members amongst the awardees: the award for Excellence in Design went to Couture's own Katey Brunini while our publicity consultant Michelle Orman of Last Word Communications was recognized in the marketing & communications category.
Many Couture members were there to cheer them on while also celebrating the other well deserved winners who included:
Joanne Slawitsky of Kassoy as a manufacturer/dealer/supplier
Debbie Sloan of Cartier was given the Award for Excellence in retail, 15 stores or more
Maria Piano of Shreve & Co. received the Award for Excellence in retail, less than 15 stores
Diane Irvine of Blue Nile, Inc., was given the Award for Excellence for retail, non-traditional
Dawn McGuire of Sterling received the Award for Excellence in sales and merchandising
Jennifer Heebner of JCK Magazine was given the Award for Excellence in media
Yancy Weinrich of JCK received the Award for Excellence in special services
Kudos to all!
Couture Designers Ippolita and Melissa Joy Manning have been chosen as members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America this year. To see the whole "class of 2011" visit FashionWeekDaily.com.
According to their website:
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 370 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talent in the industry, the organization offers programs which support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Award, the Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award, and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. Member support is provided through the Business Services Network, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities.
Congrats ladies!
We are pleased to present our first Couture Mobile Directory!
You will notice each exhibitor in the Couture Directory & their Salon has a QR barcode, which provides attendees with exhibitor information when they scan it with a free reader downloaded to their Smartphone. It’s fast and easy to use on any Smartphone!
For a free QR code reader, choose one:
Option1:
Text TAPPINN to 43588
Option 2:
Go to www.coutureshowQR.com on your mobile phone
Now you have access to our Couture exhibitors and staff, all on your mobile device!
WWD features Couture in today's paper and showcases top trends that will debut at the show next week.
Janet Goldman, CEO of Fragments, shares her excitement and overall market optimism.
Jury Prizes for Watches
The organizers of Couture Time by Watch Journal are delighted to debut a new watch competition designed to underscore achievement in fine watchmaking during Couture. A jury of distinguished American watch experts, retailers, collectors and journalists will select winners in three categories from among pieces put forward by exhibiting watch brands. Don’t miss the announcement of the winners at the Couture Design Awards.
Click on the images to see more about the watch brands who will be exhibiting this year at Couture.
PARTICIPATING BRANDS
Armin Strom
Ball Watch USA
Bedat & Co.
Bell & Ross
Bremont Watch Company
Christophe Claret
Ellicott SA
Ernst Benz
Franc Vila
Gergé Swiss Timepieces
Giuliano Mazzuoli srl
Hautlence
HD3
Ladoire
Linde Werdelin
Marvin C° 1850 @ ViewPoint
Montres Venus SA
Philip Stein @ ViewPoint
Speake-Marin SA
SEAH
TF Est. 1968
Tutima
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