Couture Dodges a Bullet, Ups the Ante, and Announces Big Things for 2011

Engraved Formal Links with Diamond-cut Black Sapphires Set in Sterling Silver from SCOTT KAY's Sparta Collection

Fashion has New York, London, Paris and Milan – but when it comes to jewelry, it’s all about Las Vegas.  When, in its tenth year (2005), the Couture Show moved to Wynn Las Vegas, from the Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ (where it had been since relocating from its original home, at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach, CA), it went right up against the JCK Las Vegas, held just across the street, at the Sands Convention Center at the Venetian; and in so doing, Las Vegas Market Week was born.

Triple-Strand 18kt Gold Necklace Set with Assorted Semi-Precious Stones from MARCO BICEGO's Paradise Collection

Now, as any Vegas local will happily explain, “walking across the street” is not nearly as easy of an undertaking as it sounds.  Using Wynn and Venetian as our examples, this exercise can actually take upwards of an hour.  One must consider the time it takes to go from the ballrooms of the Wynn Convention area, through the casino, and along the Esplanade Shops, out to the escalators which take you up to the sky-bridge, over Sands Avenue, then down the escalators, into the Palazzo, through which you traverse until you reach the Sands Convention Center.  And when you consider doing all of this while wearing work-shoes/heels in hundred-plus degree heat while toting-around a bunch of press kits and literature, well – that hop, skip, and jump is just a bit more labor-intensive than it appeared from the screen of your laptop or i-Phone…

Diamond Drop Earrings Set in 18kt Gold from KWIAT's Legacy Collection

Regardless, out-of-towners have been willing to deceive themselves into thinking it was easy enough for half a decade now, and everyone's been happy.

Then, this spring, it was announced that next year, for 2011, JCK would be leaving Sands for the Mandalay Bay Event Center.  Well, quicker than you can say "Diamonds are a girl's best friend," the rumor-mill among many longtime Couture attendees started churning-out whispers that between the downturn in the luxury market and JCK's upcoming move to a newer, shinier locale (that was certainly far less accessible to Wynn Las Vegas), this would mark a mass exodus/defection, on behalf of many long-time exhibitors.  The rationale behind this train of thought was "What buyers or editors would want to add the wait-time in a taxi-line and a commute, to an already heady undertaking?"

SEVAN BIÇAKÇI's 24kt Gold Ring with White and Blue Diamonds Topped by a Smoky Quartz Intaglio of the Fountain of Ahmet III

Well, color me delighted to report that rather than sounding the death-knell for Couture, it lit the proverbial fire under the organizers’ respective asses!  And bravo, I say!  It was announced at the end of the show that a dozen of the industry’s most highly regarded and esteemed brands were already signed-on to return for Couture 2011.  This core dozen – Charriol, Damiani, David Yurman, Gurhan, Hearts on Fire, Judith Ripka, Kwiat, Marco Bicego, Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, Scott Kay and ViewPoint (the showroom behind such boutique brands as international jewelers Sevan Biçakçi and Tournaire, as well as watchmakers Fruitz, Philip Stein, and ToyWatch) – are the anchors that are allowing Couture to up their ante for retailers to include such amenities as hosting 1,000 retailers annually through 2013, providing transportation between Wynn Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay (via luxury cars and/or shuttles), and all remaining with a host property of the same level of exacting luxury and commitment to quality as its exhibitors.  Said Greg Kwiat “Couture understands our level of excellence and recognizes that with their decision of staying at Wynn Las Vegas.”

5-Row Cuff in Sterling Silver Set with Pave Diamonds and Blue Topaz from DAVID YURMAN's Confetti Collection

For 2011, plan on seeing even more brands from around the world join the already heady roster of A-list designers, including Italian powerhouse, Bulgari.

Hey Madge!  I’m soaking in it, already!

The Couture Show 
June 2011 
Wynn Las Vegas

Get into it!