LUXURY Privé returns for a weekend of good food, good people, and great jewels

LUXURY Privé New York returns to the Waldorf Astoria for its second consecutive year on July 26–28. Privé, considered the luxury anchor of New York City’s jewelry market week, is now in its fifth annual edition.

Event director Sarin Bachmann says she is excited about Privé’s newest vendors—including Miseno, Bellarri, and Carlo Weingrill—as well as returning exhibitors such as Oscar Heyman, Simon G., and Spark.

In typical Privé fashion, the Sunday night party will also be making a comeback. For this year’s 1980s theme, expect to see plenty of leg warmers, big hairstyles, and Madonna tributes. Bachmann says she also expects to encounter more than a few familiar retailer faces. “We are seeing growing interest from retailers who could not make it to Vegas, along with many retailers who were in Vegas,” she says.

Vendor David Mor plans to bring plenty of fancy colored diamonds, purple sapphires, and vivid yellow stones. Director of operations ­Brandon ­Benilevi says designs will likely focus on classic themes, a ­reflection of demand. “Our invoices are reading like this: fancy pinks, fancy purplish pinks, and orangey pinks,” says Benilevi, who expects to see ­buyers from Texas, California, and New York. “The American market is going for important stones.”

Meanwhile, A. Link’s brand director Raele Sabounjian will be pushing her firm’s new Flex Forte collection of lightweight diamond and gold jewelry. Made with flexible gold hollow tubing, the stackable pieces are designed to slip on wrists and necklines with ease while nodding to the minimalist style trend. “The line is fun, new, youthful, and not just meant to wear on special occasions,” Sabounjian says. “It’s not obtrusive, and you can mix it with your costume ­jewelry or more fine pieces.”

Fred Morgan, director of sales for Alisa in Manalapan, N.J., will bring additions to its Traversa collection of silver and 18k gold styles rich in retail price points from $1,000 to $2,000. “In speaking to retailers, we know that’s a particular range that’s tough for them to fill—especially for pieces with gold and diamonds,” Morgan says.