Tiffany Names Five Finalists for Jewelry Designer Award

Angelo Jones, Aaron Mak, Christine Olowonira, Haley Kim and Ivi Kyratzi advance in the second Tiffany & Co. x CFDA program for the 2026-27 cycle.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Jewelry

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a single gold ring with a sculpted open band resting on a pale stone surface, evoking emerging jewelry design talent. — Tiffany & Co. and the CFDA named five finalists, including Angelo Jones, Aaron Mak, Christine Olowonira, Haley Kim and Ivi Kyratzi, for the second Jewelry Designer Award. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Tiffany & Co. and the CFDA have selected five finalists for the second Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award. Each finalist receives a stipend to produce a three- to five-piece capsule collection in metal.

Why it matters

The program pairs creative mentorship with a design challenge drawn from the house's heritage, offering emerging designers a route into a major luxury jewelry house. For New York City readers, the finished work will be shown at Tiffany's Fifth Avenue flagship.

The competition offers a $50,000 grant and a one-year paid fellowship within Tiffany's design department to one designer, up from a field of 10 participants in the 2024 debut. The winner will be named in spring 2027, after finalists complete their capsule collections.

The players

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. is a New York-based luxury jewelry and specialty retail house founded in 1837, known for its Fifth Avenue flagship and its signature blue packaging.

CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America is a New York-based trade association that represents leading American fashion designers and runs industry awards and programs.

Nathalie Verdeille

Nathalie Verdeille is Tiffany & Co.'s chief artistic officer and a senior creative leader overseeing the house's design direction.

Frank Everett

Frank Everett is vice chairman of jewelry at Sotheby's, the international auction house, and a recognized authority in the jewelry market.

The details

Finalists will work with Tiffany's design team to interpret the house's design codes and present their work to a selection committee. The jury includes chief artistic officer Nathalie Verdeille and Sotheby's jewelry vice chairman Frank Everett.

2024: The first edition debuted with 10 participants over four months.
January 2025: Jameel Mohammed, founder of Khiry, received the inaugural award.
May: Tiffany & Co. and the CFDA introduced a separate Jewelry Design Scholar Award.
Spring 2027: The recipient of the $50,000 grant and fellowship is expected to be announced.

Season Trajectory

The second cycle follows the inaugural 2024 Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award, which named Jameel Mohammed of Khiry as its first recipient in January 2025. The program has since added a separate Jewelry Design Scholar Award, signaling a broader talent pipeline for the house.

New York City shoppers can see the finalists' finished capsule collections at Tiffany's Fifth Avenue flagship, The Landmark, when the work is showcased. The showcase gives local buyers a direct look at emerging designers' pieces before the winner is named.

The takeaway

Programs like this one give emerging jewelry designers paid development, mentorship and public exposure at a major house. Shoppers interested in new independent designers can track the finalists' collections as they are unveiled.

What happens next

The $50,000 grant and fellowship recipient is expected to be announced in spring 2027, when the finished capsule collections are showcased at Tiffany's Fifth Avenue flagship.