Ballerinas, Supermodels Give 24 Karat Weekend Extra Glitz

By Rob Bates | March 19, 2026

The headlining act at the 24 Karat Club of New York’s annual banquet is traditionally kept a secret until the event starts—though it also traditionally leaks out well before the gala takes place.

But this year there were no leaks, because, as it turned out, there was no headliner at last Saturday’s event. Though there was a surprise.

To mark the gala’s return to its traditional home, the Waldorf Astoria, the 123-year-old club shook things up a bit. It had the customary blessing and singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the meal, but not its other pre-dinner mainstay: a recording of Paul Anka performing a customized version of “My Way” (“The 24 Karat Way”), accompanied by a parade of past party shots.

Instead, the lights went dark, and everyone in the dining room was greeted by rows of ballerinas perched on the banquet room’s balconies, some of them flanking the 24 Karat Club’s president, Steven Lagos.

The ballet troupe, from Youth America Grand Prix, an organization of young dancers, also performed after the dinner.

Otherwise, this year’s 24 Karat Weekend—capped off by the Waldorf Astoria gala—featured the standard mix of schmoozing, eating, and events. Among the highlights:

– At the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) annual luncheon, which kicked off the weekend on Friday, March 13—and was held for the first time at the Rainbow Room—Rebecca Foerster, president of Hearts on Fire North America, received the Stanley Schechter Award, for upholding industry ethics.

Foerster, who previously chaired the JVC, called it “a tremendous honor” in her acceptance speech.

“The opportunity that I’ve had in this industry to experience cultural diversity and cultural adversity, to sit on impactful boards with many successful and insightful members of our industry, has enriched my professional life,” she said. “It has taught me the importance of giving back, by contributing time and effort to our industry.”

JVC foerster — *JVC executive director Sara Yood (left), Rebecca Foerster, and former JVC chair Jeffrey Fischer, who presented the award to Foerster (photo courtesy of JVC)*

– On Friday night, Jewelers of America (JA) hosted the 24th annual Gem Awards at Cipriani 42nd Street. Mark and Candy Udell, co-owners of London Jewelers, received the award for lifetime achievement.

“This is the most beautiful industry in the world,” said Candy while accepting the award with her husband. “The people are beautiful, the jewelry is beautiful.… We are just grateful and very proud to be part of it.”

Udells — *Mark and Candy Udell with their Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement*

Three winners were announced live during the event: The Gem Award for Jewelry Design went to Sylvia Furmanovich; the Gem for Media Excellence was given to Thomas Waller, WWD‘s senior fashion market editor for accessories; and the Gem for Retail Innovation was won by London-based Jessica McCormack.

Ana Khouri was presented with the Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence by supermodel Linda Evangelista, who attended last year’s Met Gala with Khouri.

Also at the awards ceremony, the first-ever David Yurman Gem Awards Grant was bestowed on Johnny Nelson by its namesake.

“I was drawn to the strength of his work, how distinctive it was,” Yurman said before introducing Nelson, who will receive a $50,000 grant, as well as mentorship from Yurman. “It was feelingful, it was connected.… He had something to say.”