The COUTURE Podcast
The COUTURE Podcast features host Michelle Orman in conversation with members of the COUTURE jewelry community. Guests share their personal journeys, stories, and creative processes. The show highlights jewelry designers and brands with distinctive points of view, creating wearable, collectible works of art. It also explores how retailers, media, and influencers bring these collections to jewelry lovers and art admirers.
Episodes
New Voices in Bridal
During the 2026 COUTURE show, we were thrilled to sit down with the Natural Diamonds Market Lead for De Beers, Sally Morrison, along with Nicole Carosella of Sorellina, David Farrugia of Uniform Object, and Hiba Husayni from ZAHN-Z, to discuss "New Voices in Bridal." Taking into account the results of De Beers' extensive consumer insight studies, these three designers shared their p
Jade Trau in Conversation with the Honorable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Botswana's Minister of Minerals & Energy
At the 2026 COUTURE show, we were delighted to host the Honorable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, the Minister of Minerals & Energy for Botswana, who sat down for a fascinating conversation with long time COUTURE designer, Jade Trau. The two bonded over being "diamond babies," they discussed the impact the mines are having on the people and environment in Botswana, and they agreed on the impor
COUTURE Takes Tucson, 2026
For this year’s COUTURE Takes Tucson podcast, I pulled aside a record number of designers and brand directors to see if I could get them to encapsulate the beauty of the Tucson Gem shows. From a first time attendee to designers who have attended for close to 50 years and everything in between, they shared their impressions and allowed us to get a glimpse into the week through their eyes.
Hiba Husayni, ZAHN-Z
ZAHN-Z designer, Hiba Husayni, made her debut in COUTURE’s 2025 Design Atelier, where she took home Best in Debuting at the COUTURE Design Awards. Her Zaha and Sadaf collections are now core to her distinct, aesthetic DNA, and her pieces are becoming increasingly well known throughout the industry and beyond. It was an absolute joy to sit down with Hiba to talk about her journey to jewelry design,
The COUTURE Podcast with Sally Morrison
De Beers recently launched their first “beacon” campaign in over a decade, “Desert Diamonds.” The campaign is all about the diamond itself, and focuses on a palette of colors, from soft white to deep brown and all of the shades in between. On the heels of their star and talent-studded launch event in New York City, we spoke with Sally Morrison, Market Lead, Natural Diamonds, for De Beers Group who
The COUTURE Podcast with Tracr CEO, Wes Tucker
Tracr is the world’s leading digital platform for tracing natural diamonds at scale. With a complex suite of cutting edge technologies, it provides consumers with the ability to explore the unique provenance and journey of their diamonds. In this fascinating conversation with Tracr’s CEO, Wes Tucker, he shares details about how the platform works, the collaborative approach they take to the busine
The COUTURE Podcast with Eric Ford
In his new role as COUTURE’s Brand Director, Eric Ford is poised to leverage his accumulated knowledge, wisdom and expertise to help COUTURE realize its full potential. Knowing, from personal experience, how lucrative it can be for a store to focus on growing its designer fine jewelry offerings, he has also seen first-hand how effectively conveying an artist’s story can turn a casual consumer into
COUTURE Goes to Tucson
The Tucson Gem Shows in February each year are a destination for designers and retailers who want to hunt for particular stones, discover new deposits, foster and nurture relationships with miners and dealers from across the globe, and get an accurate assessment of the current state of the market. It is also a source of inspiration and chance encounters under the sun, and in our latest episode of
The COUTURE Podcast with Laura Bicego, NANIS
Over the past three decades, Laura Bicego of NANIS has solidified her reputation as a pioneer in fine jewelry design. Her pieces cater to the nuances of contemporary, stylish women, with transitional pieces that can be worn in multiple ways a core element of her collections from the very beginning. In our latest COUTURE podcast, Laura shares how growing up in the industry has affected her approach
The COUTURE Podcast with Sara Murphy from Jewelers For Children (JFC)
Since it was founded in 1999, Jewelers For Children has donated over sixty four million dollars to nonprofits serving kids that are facing impossible circumstances. We had the opportunity to sit down with the organization’s Director, Sara Murphy, to learn more about the impact all of our efforts have had on the lives of kids in need, to discover the ways in which anyone can get involved, and to le
The COUTURE Podcast with Heather B. Moore
Heather Moore, the artist behind Heather B. Moore jewelry, creates bespoke pieces for her clients by stamping meaningful words or phrases into gold or silver, literally altering the molecules of the metal. Beyond the function of this process, her approach is a reflection of her belief that all of one’s lived experiences—the good, the bad and everything in between—are a part of our individuality. T
The COUTURE Podcast with Marissa Collections
Within the hallowed halls of their Naples and Palm Beach, Florida locations, Marissa Collections has built a veritable jewelry empire. Offering the work of 100’s of jewelry designers and brands complements their selection of high end clothing and accessories, allowing their loyal clientele to rely upon the store to outfit them from head to toe. CEO and Owner of Marissa Collections, Jay Hartington,
Suzy Landa
From a childhood rooted in creativity as an extracurricular pursuit to studying political science at Berkley to a successful, decade long career in the movie business, designer Suzy Landa’s path to jewelry design was anything but straightforward. In this episode of The COUTURE Podcast, Suzy shares the unabridged version of her journey, including some great anecdotes about her time working in Story
The COUTURE Podcast with Michal Kadar from Cadar
Founder and creative director of Cadar, Michal Kadar, says that every piece she creates begins with a story. Yet when we sat down to record the COUTURE Podcast, I realized that “story” seemed almost too small of a word to convey the universe she is building through her designs. From understanding the essence of oneself, to the skin that serves as a vessel for one’s humanity to the lives and experi
Special Edition: COUTURE Takes Tucson
Have you ever wondered why the jewelry industry flocks to Tucson, Arizona each February? Are you curious about how designers shop for gemstones? What about the gemstones that those "in the know" consider the most underrated or overrated? For this Special Edition Podcast, we stopped a handful of designers and industry tastemakers in the aisles of "the tents," in the back lot of
The COUTURE Podcast with Peggy Grosz from Assael
Have you ever wondered how Tahitian pearls get their unique color? Or why South Sea pearls are so valuable? Or how those who cultivate pearls work towards maintaining the eco-chain of oysters’ natural habitat? In our most recent episode of the COUTURE Podcast, Senior Vice President of Assael, Peggy Grosz, answers these questions and more, while also sharing the vital role she plays in maintaining
The COUTURE Podcast with Syna
Syna means together, and the concept of togetherness and collaboration is a core tenet of the Syna brand of jewelry. Started by husband and wife team, DK and Namrata Kothari, 20 years ago, the collection has evolved throughout the decades while maintaining its core “effortless sophistication” aesthetic. Tune into our latest podcast with DK and Namrata to learn more about their unique journey, thei
The COUTURE Podcast with Single Stone
A quest for joy is at the heart of everything Corina Limon Madilian does. Along with her husband, Ari, Corina owns and operates the brand Single Stone, a multi-brand jewelry store of the same name, as well as a lifestyle boutique. In our conversation for the COUTURE podcast, Corina shares more about her background, the creative process she and Ari apply to jewelry design, and some very useful tips
The COUTURE Podcast with NOMIS
It was fascinating to sit down with NOMIS designer, Alyona Kiperman, to learn how her unique worldview impacts her creativity. A native of Ukraine, Alyona opened her eponymous boutique in Kiev in February of 2022, and her lived experiences have added to the bold defiance that has long been associated with her brand’s distinctive aesthetic.
The COUTURE Podcast with Stephen Wilson
For artist Stephen Wilson of Stephen Wilson Studio, the medium is the message. After getting his start in New York City's garment district, hustling gigs making concert t-shirts and offering his embroidery services, Stephen eventually added interior design projects to his repertoire of fashion experience. The mixed medium art that is now his signature came out of a desire to fill his own home
The COUTURE Podcast with Walters Faith
When Mollie Good and Stephani Abramow launched their collection, Walters Faith, they knew they wanted to create jewelry with a distinct aesthetic. Long-time admirers of jewelry, they saw a need in the market for the type of “effortless luxury” they wanted to create and, a decade later, their collection continues to evolve while staying true to their core DNA. In our most recent COUTURE podcast, th
The COUTURE Podcast with Adel Chefridi
Designer Adel Chefridi recalls with wonder how a magician visiting his little town in Tunisia when he was a child sparked his first sense of having purpose. Watching the magic tricks, he suddenly realized that everything wasn’t always as it seemed, and as an artist, he transposes a similar sense of awe and wonder onto the gemstones with which he works. In our COUTURE podcast, Adel shares how the m
The COUTURE Podcast with Studio Renn
Studio Renn was founded by husband and wife team Rahul and Roshni Jhaveri in 2018. While they define the approach to the materials with which they work as "agnostic," the use of concrete, as an example, in their fine jewelry collection, isn't the only thing that sets Studio Renn apart. It was thrilling to sit down with Rahul to learn about this couple's unique approach to the
The COUTURE Podcast with Jorge Adeler
After emigrating to the United States from Argentina, designer Jorge Adeler, his wife, and their two daughters, Wendy and Valentina, became an insular unit. Tune in to our latest COUTURE Podcast to discover how this family-run business has evolved over the years and how passion and love of family continue to be the driving force behind Jorge’s creative expression.
The COUTURE Podcast with Baylee Ann Zwart
The designer behind Azlee, Baylee Ann Zwart, first discovered her inherent love of fine jewelry while working abroad in Guatemala. In this episode of the COUTURE podcast, Baylee shares her love of the intimacy in the creative process, her reverence for the relationships that are involved in bringing her creative vision to life, and her commitment to embodying ethical and environmental standards in
The COUTURE Podcast with Milan Chokshi of Moksh Jewelry
Founder of Moksh, Milan Chokshi, takes a holistic approach to running his business. He named the company Moksh because it refers to liberation; he wanted to break free from the traditional view of jewelry held in his native India and establish a brand that revered the art, craft, engineering and precious materials inherent in creating pieces that have global appeal. We were thrilled to sit down wi
The COUTURE Podcast with Erica Molinari
A former U.S. Olympian, Erica Molinari never would have guessed she’d one day be designing jewelry. Drawn to the technical aspect of jewelry fabrication, Erica also discovered that she loves the process of coming up with a concept, and making it work. We were thrilled to sit down with Erica to hear about her background as an athlete, how her training continues to fuel her approach to her business,
The COUTURE Podcast with Jade Trau
As a fifth generation diamantaire, designer Jade Trau has an intrinsic understanding of diamonds that allows her to reinterpret classic styles with a unique and fresh perspective. It was a delight to sit down with Jade to hear about her life-long affiliation with diamonds, the ongoing joy she feels in being able to do what she loves for a living, and how grateful she is for the support she receive
The COUTURE Podcast with Tariq Riaz
Designer Tariq Riaz initially embarked on jewelry design in an effort to solve a problem. The exercise resulted in a newfound obsession with jewelry design and fabrication that he knew he needed to explore, and with his wife's support, Tariq began to immerse himself in learning everything he could about the craft. With a background in engineering and robotics, Tariq's work evokes a form-
The COUTURE Podcast with Lauren Godfrey
While working in her previous career in advertising, Lauren Godfrey, the designer behind Harwell Godfrey, learned how to take an idea and turn it into a reality. Drawn to the tactile nature of jewelry design, Lauren also discovered that working with precious metals and gemstones was a profound way to connect with her spirituality. With a loyal following of collectors that includes some of the worl
The COUTURE Podcast with Monica Rich Kosann
While working as a fine art photographer, Monica Rich Kosann became fascinated with seeking out vintage powder compacts, cigarette cases and lockets and turning them into keepsakes for her most beloved clients. The stories these heirlooms evoked resonated with her process of capturing the essence of her photography subjects in order to convey their unique stories. Over time, Monica’s fascination o
The COUTURE Podcast with King Baby Studio
King Baby Studio has long been a go-to jeweler for some of the biggest names in Rock n’ Roll (and for those who embody a Rock n’ Roll aesthetic!). We were thrilled to sit down with Ben Binder, Director of the brand and the son of its founder, Mitchell Binder, to learn about the brand’s commitment to authenticity, how the brand started and how it continues to evolve, and the important role that fam
The COUTURE Podcast with David Gusky of DAVIDOR
Fine jewelry house DAVIDOR creates pieces that evoke a sense of precision and sophistication. Its unique use of lacquered ceramic pays homage to ancient jewelry craftsmanship, and yet the brand’s ethos is actually a seamless blend of both tradition and innovation. We were thrilled to sit down with the brand’s founder, David Gusky, to discuss the years he spent developing the concept for the brand,
The COUTURE Podcast with Paula Crevoshay
Artist Paula Crevoshay is widely known as the “Queen of Color.” A painter from a very young age, Paula continues to “paint” with precious gemstones and metals, playing with refractive indices and the light of the earth itself. Tune in to our discussion with Paula where we discussed her approach to jewelry design, her supernatural ability to see color and her belief that the events of her life are
The COUTURE Podcast with Jacquie Aiche
Designer Jacquie Aiche is ever-cognizant of the powerful effects gemstones and minerals have on the human form, and her sensual, effortlessly chic silhouettes beg to be layered and stacked and worn as talismans of strength and protection. Tune in to our latest episode of the COUTURE Podcast to learn more about Jacquie’s journey, and to get some inside tips on what gemstones we all need to be weari
The COUTURE Podcast with Marion Fasel
We sat down with Marion Fasel, Jewelry Historian, Author, Curator and Founder of The Adventurine, to learn about her rise to prominence in the jewelry industry, to discuss her curated exhibit, "Beautiful Creatures," at New York City's American Museum of Natural History, and to hear more about her philosophy regarding jewelry and jewelry designer's relevance throughout history.
The COUTURE Podcast with Katherine Jetter
Designer Katherine Jetter first made her mark on the fine jewelry industry with the introduction of fresh, contemporary designs featuring opals from her native-country of Australia. She is now recognized for prolific collections that highlight a vast array of extraordinary gemstones sourced from across the globe, and with her multi-brand storefront and Atelier in Nantucket and Boston respectively,
The COUTURE Podcast with Fernando Jorge
While he may still be waiting for a call from Beyonce, Fernando Jorge has been lauded by the media, he’s been awarded countless accolades, and he has been courted by some of the most highly coveted stores in the world. And yet, Fernando continues to be kind, humble and curious, and he remains committed to expressing his voice and representing the current spirit of our time through his jewelry desi
The COUTURE Podcast with Valerie Messika
Valerie Messika’s high-profile collaborations with Gigi Hadid and Kate Moss are illustrative of this designer’s distinctive ability to appeal to a devout audience of well-heeled and stylish women from across the globe. Born into the diamond trade, Valerie was surrounded by important diamonds from a very young age. In our latest episode of The COUTURE Podcast, Valerie shares with us her vision, her
The COUTURE Podcast with Buddha Mama
While it’s now instantly recognizable for its exquisite gemstone, enamel, diamond and high-karat gold jewelry, Buddha Mama had humble beginning at the kitchen table of its founder, Nancy Badia, who decided to string beads in order to raise money for her Buddhist center. In our most recent COUTURE podcast, Nancy and her daughter and co-designer, Dakota, share with us the gradual evolution of their
The COUTURE Podcast with Stephen Webster
For designer Stephen Webster, a normal routine is the absence of routine. He’s perpetually jet-setting across the globe to visit clients and make personal appearances, but when COVID hit, Stephen found himself grounded at home in England. We caught up with Stephen, remotely, to hear about some of his adventures in quarantine, and we also reflected on some of his past experiences, his drive to give
The COUTURE Podcast with Jeff Feero
Managing partner of Alex Sepkus, Jeff Feero, loves a challenge. Whether it’s finding a solution for a design dilemma, fixing up one of his many vintage cars, or establishing a complex agenda for one of his infamous, annual road trips, solving problems is his creative outlet. Several weeks into sheltering in place due to the pandemic, Jeff started think about how he could keep in touch with his loy
The COUTURE Podcast with Tom Heyman
The venerable design house, Oscar Heyman, has been continuously operating since 1912. Still family-owned, Oscar Heyman makes magnificent jewelry utilizing the finest gemstones sourced from around the globe and has designed for maisons such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. We spoke with Tom Heyman and learned about the collaborative process involved in making each of its exquisite designs, in
The COUTURE Podcast with Mattia Cielo
With his proud Italian heritage, artist Mattia Cielo wants his brand to speak to a new generation of jewelry aficionados. His collection is his dream, and he wants to share his dream with the industry. Mattia is steadfast in his belief that fine jewelry is transcendent, that it represents unity and is symbolic of human resilience and strength. We were thrilled to talk to Mattia via Skype about his
The COUTURE Podcast with Lynn Yaeger
Fashion correspondent Lynn Yaeger is a well-known fixture within the global fashion scene. Touted as one of the industry’s most influential people, Lynn has long been the muse of several prominent fashion designers. Lynn is also a NYC institution. With her distinctive, iconic look, Lynn garners attention wherever she goes. We were so excited to speak with Lynn, remotely, to talk about her rise to
The COUTURE Podcast with Bibi van der Velden
Artist Bibi van der Velden considers herself first and foremost a sculptor. Her primary artistic medium informs her sublime jewelry designs in many ways, including her drive to create pieces that don't need a "body" to become something. A lifelong collector, Bibi's jewelry transcends the expected and often incorporates unique and unusual materials, giving her work a sense of ad
Intro to The COUTURE Podcast with Gannon Brousseau II
As the implications of the COVID-19 situation became apparent, and we ultimately had to cancel our 2020 event, our resolve to keep this community connected, in whatever way we can, was only strengthened. While we’re definitely going to release our previously recorded episodes at some point, hopefully in the near future, we decided to move forward with capturing some voices remotely. We want to kno
The COUTURE Podcast with Julez Bryant
For the past 17 years Julez Bryant has been helping women feel empowered through her designs, her mentorship and her advocacy. Julez has faced and overcome a lot of adversity in her life and she's learned countless lessons along the way; looking at the challenges she faced as an opportunity to enrich her character. We were delighted to have a Skype conversation with Julez to discuss how she i
Intro to The COUTURE Podcast with Gannon Brousseau
Michelle Orman sits down with COUTURE Director, Gannon Brousseau, to discuss exactly why the world needs another podcast, and why they’re excited about highlighting the incredible COUTURE community.
The COUTURE Podcast with Victor Velyan
The work of artist Victor Velyan is instantly recognizable. His proprietary patina process is utterly unique and distinctive and serves as a perfect canvas for the array of colored gemstones he incorporates into many of his designs. Victor also has a reputation of being a bit of a rockstar, and often makes sartorial choices that draw attention and invite comments and compliments. We were thrilled
The COUTURE Podcast with Spinelli Kilcollin
In the last few years, the name Spinelli Kilcollin has become synonymous with chic, contemporary, and sophisticated design. And while it might seem to those on the outside that the brand achieved overnight success, its founders, Yves Spinelli & Dwyer Kilcollin, had been working for years to try to convince stores to get behind their functionality meets design concept. We were delighted to sit
