Couture Blog

Scott Kay Debuts SK66 Gallery to Showcase His Work

Scott Kay has been collecting things for years and years. Inpsirational art and antique furniture that sets a mood. Sconces and busts and cornices and armor all had found their way into his storage space because they evoke a mood or an image. And finally, the artifacts, artworks and bygone furnishings have found a new home in a renovated building next door to Scott Kay's headquarters.

With the help of his wife Regina, an interior designer in her own right and now President and Curator of SK66, Scott has transformed the building into a showcase gallery for his jewelry as well as his own personal point of view.

The gallery is filled to the brim with mood and mystique.

Dozens of antique chests, armoires and breakfronts have been transformed into showcases. Overstuffed leather chairs and settees cluster about for clubby seating areas amidst the paintings, sculptures and bric-a-brac that sets a mood like no other store, gallery or frankly, movie set in existence.

Everything has a story, Scott said, each piece evokes something in the artist and his inspiration. From religious artifacts to historic knickknacks to just plain gorgouesness in mink, mahogony and leather it's a deeply personal environment that has now become a members-only gallery. Yes, there's a membership application.

The opening party was quite the celebration with industry folks, local dignitaries as well as friends and inner circle clients from all over. It was the culmination of years of planning and the entire Kay family was there to celebrate.

Here are a few photos for you to get a glimpse of "Scott Kay World" but you'll have to experience it for yourself to really understand it.

The space is not open to the general public and Scott has said this is not a prototype for a bigger SK retail rollout so membership may be the way to go if you can get a sponsor.

 

 

Couture Members Dominate List of Top Jewelry Brands Poll

UNITED BRANDS LLC Lists Top 10 Jewelry Brands, Watch Brands and Diamond Brands for 2011 United Brands LLC Releases Lists of Highest Ranking Brands.

Many of the designers on the list are members of Couture -- seen in pink. Congratulations to all.

 

TOP JEWELRY BRANDS - 2011

Top 10 Jewelry Brands - Fashion Design
1. Roberto Coin
2. David Yurman
3. Kwiat
4. Marco Bicego
5. H. Stern
6. Zorab Creation
7. Oscar de la Renta
8. Aaron Basha
9. Levian
10. Kabana

Top 10 Jewelry Designers
1. Neil Lane
2. Stephen Webster
3. Erica Courtney
4. Solange Azagury-Partridge
5. Martin Katz
6. Alan Friedman
7. Loree Rodkin
8. Lamont
9. Judy Evans
10. Stefan Hafner

 

UNITED BRANDS LLC 2011 TOP 10 LIST

The top 10 lists were compiled by executives, consultants and affiliates of United Brands. The rankings are based on a variety of factors that include product quality, design, performance, value, consumer recognition, brand differentiation and marketing effectiveness.

Joe Jonas wears David Yurman

DETAILS cover star Joe Jonas wore David Yurman’s Claw Amulet Tag Necklace to the “Soul Surfer” Premiere and Victoria’s Secret SWIM Launch last week. Joe opted to go casual, would you?

 

Erica Courtney Drapes "Perfect" Jewels on a Perfect Real Housewife of Beverly Hills

 

Erica Courtney's jewels looked amazing on Camille Grammer at the Tony Awards, says ET -- how could you not be fantastic a $118,000 platinum black diamond ring, a $38,000 platinum black diamond bracelet.

 

 

 

Marina B is Latest to Join the Ranks of Exhibitors at Couture 2011

COUTURE ADDS ANOTHER ICONIC NAME TO DESIGNER ROSTER

Couture recently announced the addition of Marina B, the iconic brand created by Marina Bulgari, to its impressive roster of exhibitors for Couture 2011. The brand was recently acquired by Windsor Jewels, Inc. who will re-launch the collection in early 2011, with its U.S. launch taking place exclusively at Couture Las Vegas in June. Created in 1978 in Geneva’s Place du Molard by Marina Bulgari, the daughter of the renowned jeweler Constantine Bulgari, the Marina B collection flourished during the ‘80‘s and ‘90‘s when it became synonymous with Europe’s original jet set crowd. The brand continues to be prized by collectors and connoisseurs across the globe. 

Under the direction of Windsor Jewelers’ CEO Paul Lubetsky, Marina B is on track to once again become a fine jewelry brand appealing to the crème de la crème of high society. “Couture is unique among trade shows in the jewelry industry,” said Lubestky regarding his decision to hold the U.S. launch of this important brand at Couture.

“Couture alone can provide us with a setting that is consistent with the Marina B image and brand: upscale retailers and the high-end partners that are the vital elements to the success of the re-launch.” 

“Marina B’s impressive history and continued commitment to superior design make this a perfect partnership for Couture,” said Lee Arevian, Couture’s Director of Business Development, “We are proud to deliver the best-of-the-best in design to our retailers, and our comprehensive roster of exhibitors ensures that we cover the spectrum of today’s jewelry marketplace.” 

Jewelry house, Carelle, Creates Red Carpet Bejeweled Compact with L'Oreal

L’Oreal Paris presents the Golden Globes mirrored compact, created exclusively by Carelle.

Each limited edition compact showcases a brilliant shooting star design encrusted with diamonds and brightly-colored lemon quartz and orange sapphires gemstones set in 18kt yellow gold plated sterling silver.

L’Oreal Paris hopes to inspire the nominated actresses to handle red carpet interviews with ease and, hopefully, an acceptance speech. 

 

Coomi Jewels Sparkle on Carrie Underwood at the American Country Awards

 

Coomi Jewels Sparkle on Carrie Underwood at the recent American Country Awards.... and gets a ton of online press thanks to how beautiful she looked in the red Georges Chakra gown, Rene Caovilla gold heels, matching clutch and Coomi earrings.

 

John Hardy helping to keep Bali 'clean and green'

Luxury jewelry brand John Hardy, together with its customers, has donated a total of 600,000 bamboo seedlings to the Bali government's "Bali Clean and Green" program, an initiative to help preserve and improve the natural environment of Bali, the Indonesian island where John Hardy jewelry is created.

The donations came from the brand's "Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo" program, whereby John Hardy contributes a certain number of bamboo seedlings for each customer's purchase of the brand's "Bamboo" collection jewelry. Pieces in the collection are primarily crafted from sterling silver, and some designs are accented with diamond pave, gemstones, or even crafted in 18-karat gold.

On the inside of each piece is an inscription of the number of bamboo seedlings that John Hardy will plant for purchases of that particular design.

In commemoration of Bali's National Love for Flora & Fauna Day on Nov. 7, John Hardy executives joined officials from the Bali government as well as more than 1,000 students, teachers and local villagers in a ceremonial planting event for the half-million bamboo seedings.

 

 

 

A species native to Bali, bamboo is valued for its ability to offset carbon dioxide and help prevent soil erosion. According to the brand, not only does the Wear Bamboo, Plan Bamboo program help provide a habitat for wildlife, but it also helps raise awareness about the environment and the need to give back to nature.

John Hardy began planting bamboo on Nusa Penida, a small island off the coast of Bali, back in 2006. That was when the brand launched its Sustainable Advertising program, through which it began calculating the carbon emissions associated with the company's print advertising and started planting a corresponding number of bamboo seedlings as an offset.

Over the next two years, John Hardy expanded the program to include offsetting of emissions from its business air travel and electricity usage. Through sales of its Bamboo collections, customers have been able to participate and contribute to the greening of Bali.

Sharon Stone designs charity collection for Damiani

 

SILVIA DAMIAN, SHARON STONE & JOHN TRAVIS seen here at Donation to Drop in the Bucket and launch of the new Damiani 'Maji' Jewelry Collection designed by Sharon Stone held at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, USA..November 30th, 2010.

 

Sneak Peek at David Yurman's New Fall Ad Campaign Featuring Kate Moss

images courtesy Coco Perez