Fashion’s Rising Stars

Faraone Mennella is the fashion industry’s choice for Best Jewelry Newcomer of the Year. The Fashion Group International hosted the 9th Annual Rising Star Awards in New York in January and Faraone Mennella was among the eight companies recognized. Presenters including Robert Lee Morris and Jonathan Adler helped honor the accomplishments of fashion newcomers (nominated companies could not be more than three years old). Amadeo Scognamiglio, of Faraone Mennella, told JCK he was thrilled to be recognized with this honor, which acknowledges originality in design. He and partner Robert Faraone Mennella began their company in 2002 and have both a signature collection, which retails for less than $5,000 and “changes every season according to what’s happening most in fashion,” and a high-end line sold at Bergdorf Goodman with price points from $10,000 to $250,000. They also design for the Carolina Herrera Jewelry Collection.

Other awards went to Michael Spaulding and George Gublo of Gunmetal: Accessories; Dylan Lauren of Dylan’s Candy Bar: Retail; Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of Ruffian, and Phillip Lim of Phillip Lim (tie): Women’s Ready-to-Wear; Thom Browne of Thom Browne: Men’s Ready-to-Wear; Ernest de la Torre of de la Torre Design Studio: Home/Interior; Laurice Rahme of Bond No. 9 New York: Beauty/Fragrance Entrepreneur; and Clement Gavarry of International Flavors & Fragrances: Beauty/Fragrance Corporate. —Laura Finkelstein

JA’s Winning Designers

Jewelers of America announced the winners of its 16th Annual JA Affiliate Design Competition. They include Joseph Bonasso III, JAB Jewelry, McMurray, Pa.: first place, $1,000 and under category; Thomas Dailing, Lee Ayers Jewelers, Stevens Point, Wis.: first place, $1,001 to $3,000 category; Steece Hermanson and David Chandler, Galloway & Moseley Jewelers, Sumter, S.C.: first place, $3,001 and over category; and Faye Rodgers, Faye’s Diamond Mine, Clinton, Ark.: first place, Buyers’ Choice Award.