There were a lot of stories being told, on the convention floor, at Wynn Las Vegas; when COUTURE 2016 pulled into town.  And not the stories that people were telling each other (many of which are decidedly NSFW), but the stories that the designers were telling via their creations. 

Some of the most prominent (upon many of which I’ll be focusing, in upcoming essays) include Empowerment through Jewelry; Opals, Opals, Everywhere; Personal Statements through Color and Shape; Lariats; It’s Called Gold, People; Cubism and Geometrics; Fire Opals for Your Nerves; Talismans, Amulets, and Mysticism; The Return of Lapis Lazuli; and For the Mens.

I was most impressed by the way many jewelers were designing not just fantasy pieces; but pieces a real live person can wear in her day-to-day life.  And don’t get me wrong: I love haute joaillerie as much as the next fellow (perhaps a teensy bit more); but I firmly believe that jewelry doesn’t do anybody any good, if it’s just gathering dust in a vault or safety deposit box.

Jade Jagger’s “Opium” and “Quintessence” collections, and Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S.’ “Gocci” and “Mama” collections, feature knock-out pieces, to be sure; but are built around pieces that can be worn in any number of situations, and will add a sense of Continental flair to any look.

Side note - if I heard “Yellow gold is back” one more time, I was gonna slug someone.  First of all, it’s not yellow gold – that’s redundant (see: Ahi tuna).  It’s just gold.  Next time you’re in the vicinity of a crayon box, look inside.  I defy anyone to produce Crayola’s Yellow Gold crayon.  Oh, they’ve got a gold crayon, alright – it’s called Gold.

Just ask Demetra and Maria Lalaounis – two of the four daughters of legendary Greek jeweler and goldsmith Ilias Lalaounis, comprising the fifth generation of jewelers in their family – who are bringing their father’s vision and techniques to today’s customer, while never losing site of the historic Hellenic designs that inspired him. 

Or, cruise across the Aegean Sea, through the Dardanelles, and over the Sea of Marmara; and you’re in Istanbul, where Gurhan has been utilizing his dual-obsessions of pure gold and classic jewelry-making techniques, to the most marvelous ends.  His lariats (which were a favorite of mine, when introduced last summer) have evolved, and now include pearls and disco-fied diamond balls; while his long “Galahad” necklace is essentially a gorgeously hammered and paved representation of its chivalrous namesake, radiating from its wearer a sense of confidence while being completely unbothered. 

[Continued in Part 2]

COUTURE 2016
Wynn Las Vegas
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#ThisIsCOUTURE

Collage details (clockwise from top left):
VICENTE AGOR – Custom ‘Silhouette’ pendant in Gold
GURHAN – Long ‘Galahad’ Pave necklace in Gold with four Diamond links
KATHERINE JETTER – Trio of Lapis Lazuli and Gold ‘Cubed’ rings
AMEDEO – Custom ‘Frenchie’ cameo ring
VICTOR VELYAN -  Bracelet of Mexican Fire Opals, Diamonds, and Gold
SYNA JEWELS – Carved Boulder Opal ‘Indian’ pendant  
YVEL – Tahitian Pearl and Diamond ‘Rough Elegance’ necklace
JADE JAGGER – ‘Quintessence’ Labradorite Fifth Dimension earrings with Diamonds
ELENA VOTSI – Large Diamond and Gold ‘Eros’ ring
FARAONE MENNELLA BY R.F.M.A.S. – Collection of ‘Gocci’ rings in Gold with various stones
TODD REED – Palladium cuff with fancy cut Diamonds

Prices upon request

The world’s greatest hip-hop collective returns this weekend with the second edition of the history-making WU-TANG CLAN: THE SAGA CONTINUES… THE LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY