The COUTURE Design Awards 2026 were presented at the Encore Theater, with winners recognized across 12 categories. The evening also included tributes to the late Cindy Edelstein and Jan Mohr.
Mildred Marcano, Sales and Marketing Director at Reinhold Jewelers, accepted the first Jan Mohr Excellence Award. Marcano stated from the stage, «I had an excellent mentor, Marie Helene Reinhold, I am very grateful to her because it is thanks to her that I am here. I truly appreciate all of the designers, and all of the work that you do.».
Elizabeth «Beth Ann» Bonanno of The Gems Project received the Cindy Edelstein Award. Accepting the award, she said, «I just started collecting these incredible artists that offered me so incredibly, allowing me to take their art and share it with people, which is a great honor to all of us that do this.".
I wouldn't have a job. I wouldn't have this passion without these designers.
Pen Mané won two awards: Best in the Innovation category and also the Editors« Choice. Vincent Guy-Raffin stated: »This is our first year at COUTURE. It was a wonderful experience, we met so many supportive colleagues, our booth neighbors, the retailers, and the COUTURE team.".
David Farrugia of Uniform Object accepted the Best in Bridal award, saying, «I want to thank the community, all of my retailers, we wouldn't be here without you.».
This year's judges were Carla Carter of G. Marie Luxuries, Corina Madilian of Single Stone, Jon Kaiser of Bloomingdale's, Miguel Enamorado of Harper's Bazaar, and author Smitha Sadanandan.
The finalists and winners in each category are listed below, and a link to photos of their entries can be found here .
Winners by category
İTÄ, Yvonne Léon, FerriFirenze | Best in Below $10,000 Retail
Uniform Object, KAMYEN, Harwell Godfrey | Best in Bridal
Jorge Adeler, Karina Choudhrie, JV Insardi | Best in Color Below
Jared Lehr, Mindi Mond, Miseno | Best in Color Above
Demeglio, Plat Africa, Le Gramme | Best in Platinum
ZAHN-Z, Mattia Cielo, ONDYN | Best in Diamonds Below
STENZHORN, Crisscut, IDORO | Best in Diamonds Above
RAINBOW K, Salima Thakker, PERUFFO | Best in Gold
PEN MANÉ, Francesca Villa, Busatti 1947 | Best in Innovative
Ashna Mehta, Saboo Fine Jewels, Austy Lee | Best in Haute Couture
JIAHN, Gellner, Yutai | Best in Pearls
PEN MANÉ, Mariani, Juliana Xerez Fine Jewelry | Editors’ Choice
Crisscut, Daniel Yu, AG MEHTA | Best in Debuting
Helena Rose, Chantecler Capri, HARRY KOTLAR | People's Choice
Source: instoremag.com
