(NORWALK, CT July 19) - - -
JCK Las Vegas offers a focal point for retailers looking to preview
pieces and collections from new and emerging designers. It is at the JCK
Design Center where fresh designs from up and coming designers and the
latest collections from established jewelry innovators are showcased.
This year, JCK introduced a new top honor, the Designer Showcase
Award, which celebrates the unique point of view and individual
aesthetic that designer jewelry brings to the consumer. The award is
voted on by ballot where the jewelry community is encouraged to vote for
the top honor – the piece they feel represents the best of the field in
overall design. Consideration included quality of craftsmanship,
originality of design, and work that has a definite point of view and/or
story to tell was given the most weight in the voting.
New York jewelry designer and finalist for JCK’s Rock Star contest,
Walt Adler, received top honors. Adler, a former design director for
David Yurman, comes from a family of jewelers in New Orleans. His
great-grandfather founded Adler’s Jewelry in 1898. Walt’s training was
in ergonomics at Tufts University and University College London, and in
fine arts at the Museum School in Boston. The recipient of several
international design awards, Walt has been designing jewelry for the
last 10 years. Adler’s designs have been described as a study of pattern
and form sculpting the piece to feel precious in the hand. His designs
incorporate distinctive elements and he is looking to expand his current
lines into mens and bridal collections. He made is debut at this year’s
JCK Las Vegas event to much fanfare.
“Like all of the Rising Stars, we had great placement on the JCK Las
Vegas show floor. I felt honored and humbled to be surrounded by the
incredibly talented designers in the Design Center,” Walt said. “Winning
the award for my domed ring is a wonderful beginning for my company and
acknowledgment from the community. I am blown away by the incredible
people I met at the show.”
Adler had heard about JCK’s
competition last year, and his company took off. “I had all the pieces
in mind. I needed to bring them to life. I knew the patterns. I knew the
forms. I wedded them together, and the company was born! This kind of
recognition brings increased responsibility,” he says. “Jewelry is
bought for an occasion. I have to take care now that every design rises
to that occasion.”
The original pieces that won him a place among the Rising Stars can be
seen at his website,
www.waltadler.com.
“Winning the Designer Showcase award is quite an honor”, says Yancy
Weinrich, Industry Vice President, JCK Events, “because there is so much
design talent incorporating new techniques, materials and inspiration.
The designers also come from so many interesting backgrounds and take
such interesting journeys to get to here that their stories are often
just as compelling as their designs. We are proud to say that many of
our previous winners have gone on to achieve great success in the
marketplace and we wish the same for Walt Adler and our previous winners
and participants.”
The JCK Design Center is the destination for retailers to find
one-of-a-kind pieces that enhance their collections. The Design Center
will again feature many new designers at next year’s JCK Las Vegas.
Review of designs and designer selections will begin in early 2012 and
complete information will be contained on the website
www.jckonline.com.
ABOUT JCK EVENTS:
JCK Las Vegas 2012 will take place on June 1-4 with LUXURY at JCK, to
take place May 29-June 4, 2012 (preceding JCK Las Vegas by invitation -
May 29-31) and Swiss Watch at JCK, to be held May 31- June 4, 2011 at Mandalay Bay. LUXURY Privé will take place July 25-27 at the
Pierre Hotel, in the heart of Manhattan. The series of JCK Events are
designed to serve the worldwide jewelry industry by offering the most
comprehensive and complete buying and selling opportunities on a
business-to-business basis. For more information on any of the
international JCK Events or to view the event's image and video
galleries, please visit us at www.jckshows.com or simply call
1-800-257-3626.
