Runway Ready

Each season signals jewelry's further advance into the fashion industry. In New York in September, for example, jewelry companies stepped up participation in the seven-day circus of designers, celebrities, and media that is Fashion Week.

Just a few years ago, designers relied largely on traditional celebrity houses such as Harry Winston to accent their runway attire. But this year, new and more unusual relationships have been formed. Piaget, for example, not only partnered with designer David Rodriguez to dress his models in Piaget's new Pearlissima line but also hosted Rodriguez's show in the jeweler's Fifth Avenue boutique. Rafael Gioielli paired with Anne Bowen to accessorize her show in Rockefeller Center during Fashion Week.

As always, the Diamond Information Center supplied diamonds for the runways in large numbers. Diamond jewelry glittered at shows like that of Badgley Mischka, which paired with the legendary Graff to showcase pieces including a $10 million pink stone. The DIC also played host to the weary fashion press by sponsoring the Atelier Vanity Fair suite, displaying jewels by the likes of Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Mouawad, and Kwiat in a lounge where editors relaxed.

Finally, showing off the jewelry industry's global passion for fashion, the Afridesia show, sponsored by Anglogold, featured the clothes and gold accessories of several African designers.