Couture Communique
Edition: June 16, 2009

Article: Hollywood Comes to Couture 2009

World-class all the way at Couture 2009

The glitterati of the jewelry world - renowned designers, world-class retailers, celebrities, and esteemed members of the press - gathered at Couture 2009, the most anticipated jewelry event of the year.

Couture exhibitors left the 2009 event in an upbeat mood about what they described as a buoyant buying atmosphere—even in light of the low expectations almost everyone had coming into the show. It’s too soon to tell whether the generally positive reviews are due to a temporary break from recession or if they are a clear sign that the economic tide has turned, but at the moment, the consensus among jewelers is that the second half of 2009 looks promising...

Couture exhibitors left the 2009 event in an upbeat mood about what they described as a buoyant buying atmosphere—even in light of the low expectations almost everyone
had coming into the show. It’s too soon to tell whether the generally
positive reviews are due to a temporary break from recession or if they are a clear sign that the economic tide has turned, but at the moment, the consensus among jewelers is that the second half of 2009 looks promising.

“The show? Unbelievable. Excellent,” said Arun Bohra, founder of Arunashi. “We’ve been focusing on even more high price points. You need to be brave and tough it out.”

Some designers suggested that a return to buying was a direct consequence of the drought in sales that plagued most Couture exhibitors for the first half of this year. With inventories running low, retailers had no choice but to stock up for fall.
“It’s been cash and carry,” said Laura Aman, sales manager at Nina Runsdorf, who showed in the Design Atelier. “Retailers want to take the pieces with them because they haven’t bought new things all year and they need merchandise immediately.”
Aman said a new line of sliced star sapphire earrings, drusy pendants and earrings made of lavender jade had been well received. “We have not missed a beat at this show,” she said.

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Hollywood Comes to Couture 2009

Celebrity sightings were the "norm" at Couture 2009, just emphasizing how important the jewelry industry is to Hollywood.

The annual Couture Design Awards Ceremony featured a special guest appearance by Rachel Zoe, the celebrity stylist who stars on her own Bravo reality show, the Rachel Zoe Project.  Jill Zarin, one of the The Real Housewives of New York City, kicked off festivities at the official Welcome Reception, where she presided over the unveiling of the nominees for the Couture Design Awards. Two days later, her fellow housewife, Bethany Frankel, made the show rounds, saying that all of Zarin’s boasting about being asked to participate in the show had made her jealous.

Jane Seymour was seen walking the luxurious halls of the Wynn towards the main collections floor and carrying conversation with exhibitors in the design atelier.

Meanwhile, Scott Kay brought Hope Dworaczyk, a former Playboy model-turned-E! channel style show hostess, to Couture as his guest. After touring his salon and those of other Couture exhibitors, she said she was overwhelmed. “It’s like going to a mall where
there’s only jewelry,” Dworaczyk said.

Candy Spelling, wife of the late Aaron Spelling, the über producer behind TV hits such as Dynasty, Dallas and Beverly Hills 90201, paid special visits to favorite designers and some new eye-catching friends.