The 2026 edition of the COUTURE Design Awards was a joyful event celebrating the creativity, ingenuity, distinct points-of-view and comradery that distinguish the COUTURE community. With awards in twelve categories decided by a unique panel of judges, the Editors’ Choice award determined by attending media and People’s Choice finalists established by attending retailers, the work of a diverse roster of talent was praised before an enthusiastic crowd at Encore Theater. The evening also paid tribute to two women whose influence form the guiding principles of COUTURE, the late Cindy Edelstein and Jan Mohr.
This year’s judging panel was made up of Carla Carter from G. Marie Luxuries, Corina Madilian from Single Stone, Jon Kaiser of Bloomingdales, Miguel Enamorado from Harper’s Bazaar, and writer Smitha Sadanandan.
Carla Carter. Corina Madilian
Jon Kaiser. Miguel Enamorado. Smitha Sadanandan.
The finalists and winners in each category are listed below
Best in Below $10,000 Retail
1st Place: İTÄ
2nd Place: Yvonne Léon
3rd Place: FerriFirenze
Best in Bridal:
1st Place: Uniform Object
2nd Place: KAMYEN
3rd Place: Harwell Godfrey
Best in Colored Gems Below $40K:
1st Place: Jorge Adeler
2nd Place: Karina Choudhrie
3rd Place: JV Insardi
Best in Colored Gems Above $40K:
1st Place: Jared Lehr
2nd Place: MINDI MOND
3rd Place: MISENO
Best in Platinum:
1st Place: Demeglio
2nd Place: Plat Africa
3rd Place: Le Gramme
Best in Diamonds Below $40K
1st Place: ZAHN-Z
2nd Place: Mattia Cielo
3rd Place: ONDYN
Best in Diamonds Above $40K
1st Place: STENZHORN
2nd Place: Crisscut
3rd Place: IDORO
Best in Gold:
1st Place: RAINBOW K
2nd Place: Salima Thakker
3rd Place: PERUFFO
Best in Innovative:
1st Place: PEN MANÉ
2nd Place: Francesca Villa
3rd Place: Busatti 1947
Best in Haute Couture:
1st Place: Ashna Mehta
2nd Place: Saboo Fine Jewels
3rd Place: Austy Lee
Best in Pearls:
1st Place: JIAHN
2nd Place: Gellner
3rd Place: Yutai
Editors’ Choice:
1st Place: PEN MANÉ
2nd: Mariani
3rd: Juliana Xerez Fine Jewelry
Best in Debuting:
1st Place: Crisscut
2nd Place: Daniel Yu
3rd Place: AG MEHTA
People’s Choice:
1st Place: Helena Rose
2nd Place: Chantecler Capri
3rd Place: HARRY KOTLAR
