For press inquires or registration, please contact:
Jamie Ress
Goldstein Communications
Jamie@goldsteincom.com
212.838.0822

The Stage is Set: The Most Fashion-Forward and Inspirational Jewelry and Timepiece Designs Have Been Entered for the Prestigious Couture Design Awards 2009

New York, NY (May 13, 2009) -- The 14th annual Couture Design Awards, presented by Couture 2009, has officially kicked-off with more than 300 brilliant submissions from more than 100 of the world’s top jewelry and timepiece designers and brands and emerging stars. From haute couture to best new trends to best of newcomer, Couture Design Awards 2009 seeks to recognize the beauty and unparalleled talent epitomizing the caliber of designers only found at the Couture show.

In 2009, the Couture Community will see a redeveloped Couture Design Awards program that is committed to putting the talent and efforts of the designers at center stage. This year’s program promises to be all-encompassing by adding new categories that address emerging design trends especially seen at the Couture show including men’s jewelry, fashion-forward mindset in jewelry design, and the ever popular timepieces

Couture Design Awards 2009 seeks to recognize and celebrate designers’ whose creative point-of-view and vision transcend into a star-studded piece. “The Couture Design Awards are an institution in and of themselves,” said Victoria Gomelsky, editor-at-large at National Jeweler magazine and Couture Design Awards 2009 program chairwoman. “Every year, the award winners establish the trends that will eventually become bellwethers for the jewelry industry. I think I speak for the entire Couture community when I say that I can’t wait to see the creativity and innovation that designers bring to this year’s competition.”

Online voting for the Couture Design Awards 2009 will begin on May 13 through May 22, 2009. The Couture community including retailers, exhibitors, press, and other industry professionals will be invited to vote online for their favorite piece in each of 13 categories. The final three nominees in each category will be announced at the Couture Opening Night Reception on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the Wynn Las Vegas. Final nominees in each category will be on display at the main Couture Collections Floor from May 28-May 29 where all visitors will have an opportunity to cast one final vote for “best in category” across 13 categories.

The “Best in Category” Winners of the Couture Design Awards 2009 will be recognized at a sold-out event attended by official exhibitors, VIP retailers, and editors on Saturday, May 30, 2009, 6 PM– 9 PM. Category winners will be available on the official Couture Design Awards website, www.couturedesignawards.com, starting May 31, 2009.

For Couture Design Awards program details and online voting, visit www.CoutureDesignAwards.com or for more information about Couture 2009 please visit www.Couture09.com or contact Maria Palombini at 646.654.4959 or Maria.Palombini@nielsen.com.  For media inquiries and press registration, please contact Jamie Ress of Goldstein Communications at 212.838.0822 or Jamie@goldsteincom.com.

About Couture 2009
Couture is the world’s most exclusive annual collection of leading international design icons and emerging stars designers and the best of Couture retailers. Set in the magnificent Wynn Resorts, Couture is the only destination where more than 85% of the world’s most recognized designers and brands exclusively choose to show during Las Vegas Market Week. Now in its 14th year, Couture continues to be the benchmark for the industry standard for excellence making it the unparalleled event experience for the most prestigious designers and retailers in the world. Couture is an event produced by Nielsen Business Media.

About Nielsen Business Media
Nielsen Business Media, a part of The Nielsen Company, is a leading market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions, helping businesses go to market more effectively and efficiently.

Serving more than 30 individual industries, spanning entertainment, media and marketing, retail, travel and performance and design, Nielsen Business Media provides business-to-business products and services in print, online and in person.

With more than 40 publications, over 135 trade shows and conferences, and 195 digital products and services, Nielsen Business Media offers insight, analysis and face-to-face contacts to help professionals better understand their markets, serve their customers and grow their businesses.