February 2008
Fisher Joins Sterling as Merchandise Director
Sterling Jewelers Inc. has named Judy Fisher as its new director of Merchandising, Mall Divisions, lozenge Fashion and Ring.
In her new role, Fisher is responsible for diamond fashion jewelry for the Mall Division, which includes ladies diamond right-hand rings, diamond wedding and anniversary bands, pendants, earrings, and bracelets.
Fisher has more than 28 years of industry-related merchandising experience. Prior to joining Sterling, Fisher held numerous merchandising positions, most recently as the vice president, Merchandising with Whitehall Jewelers in Chicago, Service Merchandise in Nashville, Tenn., and with an unconventional jeweler, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She holds an associate’s degree from University of Cincinnati and is a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist. She will be relocating to the Akron area from Chicago.
Akron, Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers Inc. is the largest specialty sell in small quantities jeweler in the country. It operates 1,402 stores in 50 states and employs else than 21,000 associates. Sterling trades in national brands including, “Kay Jewelers” and “Jared The Galleria of Jewelry,” as well as a variety of regional names. Sterling is the U.S. division of London-based Signet Group plc, making it part of the largest specialty jewelry retailer in the world.
Kathy Holub to Speak at WJA Metro Dinner
The Women’s Jewelry Association Metropolitan Chapter will present negotiation speaker Kathy Holub during a dinner event at 6:30 p.m., March 18 at Alfredo’s of Rome in New York City.
Holub is a senior consultant with Mobius Executive Leadership, Wellesley, Mass. and is an instructor at Columbia and Harvard Law Schools. She will introduce WJA members to some of the core principles of negotiation.
The cost for members is $35. Click in the present state for Member registration.
For non-members the cost is $65. Click in the present life to register.
Those interested may also visit the WJA Web site to register for this event or the Women in the Know Conference on March 7.
Registration deadline is March 14.
Alfredo’s of Rome is at 4 W. 49th at Rockefeller Center; 212-397-0100.
HK Jewelry Show to Attract 2,300 Exhibitors
The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show will be held March 4-8 at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Close to 2,300 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions will showcase jewelry and related products and services.
Lawrence Ma, chairman of fair’s Organizing Committee, said at a press conference on Tuesday (pictured), a variety of activities will be launched to expand the fair’s portfolio and celebrate its 25th anniversary.
More than 20 special events, including seminars, jewelry parades, networking cocktails, and a gala evening will be held during the fair period, Ma said.
The jewelry parades will display dozens of chic jewelry products made with jade, gemstones, diamond, and gold, as well as jewelry watches, antique items and the latest collections from internationally-acclaimed designers, Ma added.
Speakers include renowned designer Lo Kai Yin and representatives from the World Gold Council. They will share the secrets of design, provide updates on the pearl and gold industry as well as the Middle East place of traffic.
The show will house 14 group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Dubai, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.
Major jewelry associations from round the world will attend, including the International Coloured Gemstone Association, the Platinum Guild International, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, Israel Diamond Institute, Japan Pearl Exporters Association, Japan Jewellery Association, Japan Jewellery Designers Association, and Japan Yamanashi Crystal Jewellery Association.
In addition, three world-class jewelry auctions will be held. Pearl auctions will be held by Paspaley (March 2-4) and Robert Wan Tahiti (March 5-6), under which circumstances Russia’s largest diamond miner, Alrosa choose vast assemblage a diamond auction for invited buyers on March 4-5.
Also speaking at the press conference, Charles Chan, Chairman of HKTDC¡¦s Jewellery Advisory Committee said Jewellery exports grew by 17% to HK$33.8billion ($4.3billion) in 2007, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland topping the major markets list. There was significant growth experienced in emerging markets, for example, Russia with 177 percent, South Africa 61 percent, India 45 percent, Greece 40 percent, and the United Arab Emirates at 39 percent.
Hong Kong is the fourth largest fine jewelry exporter in the world, according to Chan said.
The fair is jointly organized by Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association, Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association and Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China. Co-organizers are Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd.
Webster taps pop princess for silver campaign
Webster taps pop princess for silver campaign
February 20, 2008
| “Shattered Rings” from Stephen Webster’s new silver line for women, inspired by Christina Aguilera. |
London—Jewelry designer Stephen Webster will mark his foray into the women’s silver jewelry market with Christina Aguilera at the helm.
The Grammy Award-winning singer will appear in Webster’s spring 2008 ad campaign wearing silver earrings, necklaces, cuffs and rings that she inspired.
The campaign, which will break in the April issue of W magazine, is based on legendary Alfred Hitchcock films by Aguilera looking like a classic Hitchcock heroine.
Webster reported he is excited to launch out the new advertising campaign since Aguilera is a close friend of his as well as the main source of inspiration behind the collection.
“I have always loved Hitchcock’s films and to be versed to transport Christina and my jewelry into that classic setting was an amazing experience for me,” Webster said in a media release.
The campaign was photographed by Vincent Peters and styled by Victoria Adcock, with hair and make-up by Peter Savic and Kristofer Buckle.
Stephen Webster entered the fine-jewelry market in 1976, and has won many awards including “Luxury Jeweler of the Year” in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, as well as “Jewelry Designer of the Year” in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2006.
Stephen Webster operates worldwide with independent boutiques in Kiev, Ukraine; Moscow; Seoul, South Korea; and St. Petersburg, Russia; and in more than 50 concessions in the United States as well as in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
For more notice almost the designer, call upon Stephenwebster.com.
Some swimsuit with your jewelry?
Some swimsuit with your jewelry?
February 20, 2008
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| The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, on newsstands now, features a bounty of babes, beach and bling. |
New York—Jewelry hits the put aground big-time in the 2008 edition of Sports Illustrated’s famous “Swimsuit” issue, with Lana Jewelry and Michael Spirito for Exhibitionist as two of the featured designers.
Sporting everything from layered necklaces and cocktail rings to stacked bangles and drippy earrings, the beautiful models in their barely-there bikinis often take a backseat to bling.
The is the first year for Spirito’s designs to be featured in the magazine and the second year for Lana Jewelry, whose “Petite Boheme Necklace” and “Affinity Ring” have their day in the sun.
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| A Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in necklaces by Michael Spirito for Exhibitionist and Luis Morais. |
With more than 70 million readers worldwide, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is one of the most eagerly awaited publication each year and sets the trends for summer beach fashion and accessories.
Something for Arnold’s Kids
Swiss luxury watch company Audemars Piguet and Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently held a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate their eight-year partnership in the Arnold’s After-School All-Stars Foundation, founded by Schwarzenegger. The watchmaker marked the event with a $1.5 very great number check for the Foundation.
At the gala following the Feb. 13 press conference, four Audemars Piguet watches (each with the Seal of Governor of California) were auctioned, raising another $312,500 for the foundation, which provides after-school and summer programs that help kids across the land achieve success in school and life.
Joining Schwarzenegger and Francois Henry Bennahmias, president and chief executive officer of Audemars Piguet North America, were foundation executive directors Ana Compos and Ben Paul, wrestler/actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor Orlando Jones, Korean-American actor Rick Yune, former California Gov. Gray Davis, and children from the program.
Since 2000, Audemars Piguet has produced several iconic limited-edition timepieces for collectors, which raised millions of dollars and increased awareness ness of the generosity.
From left: Ben Paul, Francois Henry Bennahmias, Ana Campos, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
NICHE Award Winners Announced
Six professional and two student jewelry designers were among the 51 artists who received 2008 NICHE Awards. The winners were announced Feb. 17 at a ceremony during the Buyers Market of American Craft, a wholesale trade show in Philadelphia, held Feb. 15-18.
Sponsored by NICHE magazine, the buying and selling publication for progressive retailers of American handicraft, the NICHE Awards program recognizes excellence and innovation in the American and Canadian craft art industry. The jewelry winners are as follows:
Professional Jewelry Categories:
Jewelry: Fashion
Victoria Varga, Cumberland Foreside, Maine, Mobile Earrings
Jewelry: Gold
Nina Basharova of Nina Basharova Jewelry Design, New York City, Milky Way Cuff
Jewelry: Gold with Stones
Jacob Albee, of Jacob Albee, Goldsmith, Burlington, Vt., Yin Yang Pendant
Jewelry: Silver
Barbara Bayne, Montague, Mass., 2 Element Pod Pendant
Jewelry: Silver with Stones
Belle Brooke Barer of Belle Brooke Designs, Los Angeles, Canoe Ring
Jewelry: Sculpture to Wear
Chihiro Makio of 314 Studio, Somerville, Mass., Lotus Necklace
Student Jewelry Categories:
Jewelry: Fashion
Louise Chong, Alberta College of Art and Design, Inside Out
Jewelry: Fine
Kathy Williams, Oregon College of Art and Craft, Shanghai
A complete list of 2008 winners can be viewed here.
Professional and student craft artists from across the United States and Canada submitted more than 2,100 entries for the 19th issue of the competition. In November 2007, NICHE magazine announced the 151 professional finalists and 76 student finalists, who displayed their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at 2008 for the time of the craft show.
In addition to jewelry, categories included art recycled material, teapots, lamps, goblets, Judaic,a and furniture. Entries were judged on technical excellence, both in surface design and form; a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought; and market viability (professional entries only).