The invitation-only Privé show adds a high-end flair to New York City’s market week
Until the JCK show began luring jewelry buyers to Las Vegas in 1992, the industry gathered in New York City—first at the Hilton, then at the Jacob Javits Convention Center—to buy and sell its wares.
While JCK Las Vegas remains the trade’s premier buying event, a nexus of summer shows in Manhattan still draws jewelers aiming to supplement their inventories in advance of the holidays. The newest addition to the summertime lineup is the invitation-only LUXURY Privé show, which returns to the Pierre Hotel July 30–Aug. 1 for its second run (including a two-day editor preview, July 31–Aug. 1, themed “Holiday in July”).
“The great thing about Privé New York is that it will stay small—there’s no more room to grow,” says Yancy Weinrich, industry vice president at JCK Events, the show organizer.
A total of 46 exhibitors—all players in the high-end market, including returning vendors A. Link, Arunashi, and Goshwara—are bringing their goods to the Pierre to partake in what organizers are describing as an “exclusive, luxurious, intimate, curated, selling environment.”
Soufflé baroque freshwater pearl necklace with handmade 18k yellow gold clasp; $17,900; Yvel, New York City; 212-755-0688; yvel.com
The elite nature of the event resonated with Isaac Levy, owner of Yvel, a first-time Privé exhibitor. “The luxury market appears to be thriving, with one-of-a-kind designs selling particularly at the high end,” says Levy, adding that Yvel, long known for its pearl jewelry, will be showcasing new colored gemstone designs at Privé.
Kirk Karaguezian, president of Los Angeles–based Kirk Kara, also was swayed by Privé’s focus on upscale retail buyers. He says he intends to place the brand’s 2012 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Award–winning hand-engraved engagement set front and center at his Privé booth, noting that “filigree and details” are selling well.
“Retailers are excited to put better product in their showcases, but they are a little picky,” Karaguezian says. “They want the best brands, those with quality and substance.”