Tiffany & Co., CFDA launch inaugural Jewelry Designer Award

July 29, 2024

The winner will be announced in early 2025. Image credit: Tiffany & Co. The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award winner will be announced in early 2025. Image credit: Tiffany & Co.

By Luxury Daily News Service

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co. are going public with a new update.

The pair are introducing the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award, a fellowship program aimed at driving inclusivity and creating a lasting impact within the industry. Applications are now open to U.S. residents and will close on Aug. 16, 2024, before finalists are announced in late September.

“The inaugural Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award uplifts Tiffany Atrium’s commitment to fostering lasting change across the jewelry and design industries,” said Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product and communications at Tiffany & Co., in a statement.

“With a rich history of supporting inclusivity and creative excellence, Tiffany & Co. continues to be a champion for creative expression and social impact.”

DEI and design
The winner of the new accolade will be selected in early 2025. In addition to a $50,000 prize, program enrollees will compete for the opportunity to spend a year working under members of the Tiffany & Co. design team.

To start, from Oct. 8-10, 2024, Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award finalists will embark on a three-day learning experience at Tiffany & Co.'s Landmark headquarters in New York City. There, the group will be issued a design challenge.

A jury of industry powerhouses is set to judge submissions.

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Mr. Arnault aside, this includes industry figures — Frank Everett, vice chairman of jewelry at luxury auction house Sotheby’s, sits on the committee, for instance — as well as inclusivity advocates such as American model and activist Bethann Hardison, American actress Gabrielle Union and Puerto Rican model Joan Smalls.

American stylist and creative director Jahleel Weaver, Canadian fashion designer Jason Wu, Tiffany & Co.'s chief artistic officer of jewelry and high jewelry Nathalie Verdeille and Snap Inc.'s global head of fashion and beauty Rajni Jacques round out the 2024 selection committee.

“This first-ever award with a sole focus on jewelry is a testament to CFDA’s longstanding commitment and mission to celebrate American creative excellence,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, in a statement.

“Through the CFDA Impact program, we are thrilled to partner with Tiffany & Co., a cornerstone House with an iconic heritage, and Tiffany Atrium to identify and cultivate an inclusive next generation of American jewelry designers.”

The award is a part of the CFDA Impact program, which seeks to elevate high-end jewelry design to the same platform that menswear and womenswear receive (see story). It is also supported by Tiffany Atrium, the house's wide-ranging social, educational, community and sustainability platform.

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