Zoë Chicco:

COUTURE: What year are you celebrating?

Zoe Chicco: We’re celebrating 25 years of ZOË CHICCO.

How are you acknowledging the milestone year?

ZC: This year we are offering 25 new OOAK’s to mark this milestone year. We’re also launching The Stone Age Collection, inspired by my trip to Tucson, which is a foray into bigger, bolder gemstone pieces which is a bit of a departure from our tried-and-true diamond styles, and finally we’re working on an EPIC collaboration with a top-secret style-maker, which we will be launching later this year. Plus, we plan to host a few events to mark the milestone too, because well…we like to party.

To what do you most attribute the ongoing success of your brand?

ZC: A lot of factors come to mind as it isn’t any one thing, but I’d say our longevity is a result of patience, hard work, and staying true to our values in an ever-changing industry. I think our ability to pivot has also been fundamental to our success. We’ve weathered the recession in 2008-2009, COVID-19, skyrocketing gold prices, and now soaring tariffs, and we have always managed to come out on the other side stronger and even more nimble.

The fact that we make everything to order and in-house in our studio in LA means we have control over how much product we produce at any given time and how much we can invest each season. It also allows us to try things and craft heirloom styles across a wide range of price points, so there’s something for everyone. Our customers truly become collectors and are able to grow with the brand. 

Looking back, did you ever anticipate you would be where you are now when you first started out?

ZC: Yes and no. What I’ve achieved is beyond anything that I could have hoped for and dreamed of for myself back then. But from the beginning, I knew I had the drive and the focus to grow the business into something big. Anything less than success was simply not an option.

Any words of advice for others who would like to reach this milestone?

ZC: My advice would be to trust your gut and, when a golden opportunity presents itself, take it. Things like hiring the right employee who is asking for something just out of your price range, or getting an office space slightly over budget; every time I allowed myself to reach a little further, it worked out and helped move me to the next level.

Sometimes you have to stretch a bit outside your comfort zone, but in my experience, you’ll never regret those choices. Also, stay true to yourself, it is important to have a discernable POV and design aesthetic, so your work is recognizable as your own. It takes a lot of passion and work. Be ready. It doesn’t come easily. 

Buddha Mama:

What year are you celebrating? 

Nancy Badia: 10 Years at COUTURE!

How are you acknowledging the milestone year?

NB: At the show, you will first notice the salon and the new branding – we call it Swirl! We are obsessed with the vibe; it’s very Buddha Mama. You’ll also see installations around the show, but that’s a surprise. We were unsure what new in the collection would make it to the show due to, you know, all the “stuff” happening in the world. But we are holding the space for good things to happen. The continuation of Celestial Love and the ongoing expansion of that collection, a few special one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by stones we have collected over the years and some new enamel colors that we are incredibly excited about.

To what do you most attribute the ongoing success of your brand? 

NB: It takes a village to make a brand like Buddha Mama happen, and we have an incredible team that stands with us to make our dreams a reality. We believe that our retailers and clients feel the passion that Dakota and I have and the intention that we put in every piece we create. Most important to us is that energetically we try coming from a place of peace and love. And that is the way we approach all things in life; that it spreads over to the success of our brand is a joy for us to watch happen as we continue to grow.

Looking back, did you ever anticipate you would be where you are now when you first started out? 

NB: We didn’t know what we didn’t know, so no. What we did anticipate was that if we loved it, there had to be others who would, too. We did not anticipate the abundance and outpouring of love and connection to the jewelry. And there isn’t a day that passes that we are not aware of our privilege and blessings to do what we love.

Any words of advice for others who would like to reach this milestone? 

NB: Never give up. Work hard and then work harder. Stay inquisitive and always be willing to learn. Stand firm yet be flexible. Kindness is key. As you say Michelle, you will never regret being too kind.

Kabana:

COUTURE : What year are you celebrating ?

Stravos Eleftheriou: Kabana is celebrating 50 years.

How are you acknowledging the milestone year?

SE: We are returning to the reason we started and paying homage to Mother Nature. We are releasing all new butterflies, beautiful floral designs, honeycombs and bees, moons and stars. Natural and organic gemstones and a love for Mother Nature is at the root of everything we do.

To what do you most attribute the ongoing success of your brand?

SE: Always doing our best to stay one step ahead, having the passion and drive to always be thinking about tomorrow and what barriers we can break next. Always being around to motivate my team, to be connected with the community, and the family we have built at Kabana. Creating a beautiful piece of jewelry is not just about making a piece, it is about knowing you put the love, dedication, and quality into it so it becomes someone’s cherished family heirloom.

It’s about showing up every day and working together as a team, knowing you are creating something that will be cherished. This motivates me to do better, create something new, and go above and beyond for every person I meet.

The days were long, but the years were short. I do not know where the years went, but I put in the hard work every day. I am still driven every day knowing that somewhere in the world millions of people are wearing and loving Kabana.

Looking back, did you ever anticipate that you would be where you are now when you first started out?

SE: Absolutely! I always had a dream; I believed that failure was not an option. I was committed to the long-term success of my business from day one. Some of my original designs still sell 50 years later and continue to be all-time favorites. It has always been about quality and commitment to our retailers, our customers, and our team members.

Any words of advice for others who would like to reach this milestone?

SE: To live your life and build your business with Philotimo. Philotimo is a uniquely Greek word that is a complex constellation of values that you can’t really define, but at the root of it is honor and love. There must be honor in everything you do in life, everything matters, everyone matters, life is a gift, and you must do right for the greater good, and not just for yourself.

It is to rise above the pettiness that can come up in life and to give with no intention of receiving. It is a duty, or a higher calling, it is compassion and generosity and empathy, knowledge, humility, pride for yourself and pride for your country; it is the Greek way.

CADAR:

COUTURE: What year are you celebrating?

Michal Kadar: CADAR is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

How are you acknowledging the milestone year?

MK: This year marks a new chapter for CADAR as we share our story and unveil the universe behind the brand—the essence of what we call the HOME of CADAR. We’re proud to announce the opening of our first flagship store in New York’s iconic Meatpacking District, a space that brings our vision to life. To commemorate our 10th anniversary, we’ll also be launching a coffee table book—a celebration of a decade of design, artistry, and evolution.

And this is just the beginning. We have a series of exciting surprises planned throughout the year, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

To what do you most attribute the ongoing success of your brand?

MK: At CADAR, our ongoing success is rooted in exceptional craftsmanship, purposeful storytelling, and the deep connections we have built with our clients. We have created contemporary, yet timeless pieces over the past decade and have embraced growth and innovation while staying true to our brand DNA.

Looking back, did you ever anticipate you would be where you are now when you first started out?

Although I have always been passionate about the meditative process of intricate work, the company started when I was searching for an engagement ring. I found myself unable to connect with any piece I came across, therefore I designed my own ring. From there, CADAR was born. I’m incredibly proud of the business we’ve built and everything we’ve accomplished and am looking forward to all that’s in store for the brand.

Any words of advice for others who would like to reach this milestone?

My advice would be to always stay true to your vision, as building something meaningful isn’t an overnight process. Continue to surround yourself with people who support and challenge you, cultivating an environment that inspires your craft.

Maison dinh van:

COUTURE: What year are you celebrating?

Maison dinh van: Maison dinh van is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

How are you acknowledging the milestone year?

Mdv: To mark this major anniversary, we are unveiling a series of exciting initiatives this September in Paris but which will also be live on our socials. Among them, we are proud to reissue two historic collections: Pavé and Serrure, both created by Jean Dinh Van himself, reaffirming the brand’s deep heritage and enduring spirit of freedom.

In 1968, Jean Dinh Van was moved by the revolutionary energy that filled the streets of Paris. In response, he created a design inspired by one of the most iconic symbols of that moment: Le Pavé. He transformed this utilitarian object into a refined jewel, exploring contrasts — fullness and emptiness, round and square — to convey softness and lightness from something so raw. This emblem of defiance returns today as a tribute to 60 years of creative liberation.

The Serrure collection, born from Jean Dinh Van’s pursuit of the perfect, unadorned ring, also returns in a new form. Originally crafted with a simple hammer stroke and a subtle clasp, the ring now takes on a modern square silhouette, inspired by the Double Ring created for Paco Rabanne in 1967.

To what do you most attribute the ongoing success of your brand?

Mdv: Jean Dinh Van was deeply inspired by the cultural and creative upheavals of the 1960s, particularly the women’s liberation movement. In a world moving towards industrialisation and mass production, he imagined jewellery that was wearable, personal and present in everyday life – no longer locked away in safes, but worn freely in the streets.

The American adventure began in 1967, when Jean Dinh Van was selected to exhibit at the World’s Fair in Montreal—an opportunity that proved to be a true springboard for the brand. Soon after, his work caught the attention of Cartier New York. For the next ten years, Dinh Van’s creations were crafted in Cartier’s prestigious 5th Avenue workshop, bearing the rare double signature of Dinh Van and Cartier. During this time, he created bespoke pieces for iconic women such as the Duchess of Windsor, Catherine Deneuve, and Jeanne Moreau. This chapter marked a defining moment in the Maison’s history and played a pivotal role in its international success.

Today, dinh van continues to embody this spirit. Our collections, particularly our iconic Menottes dinh van, are not only timeless, but become treasured pieces passed down from generation to generation, each telling a personal story. This emotional resonance – rooted in both elegance and meaning – is the key to our enduring success, true to Jean dinh van’s vision of freedom.

Looking back, did you ever anticipate you would be where you are now when you first started out?

Mdv: Jean Dinh Van created from a place of generosity, making pieces for the people around him and for clients he connected with deeply. His journey was not manufactured but evolved naturally, through extraordinary encounters within the creative heart of Paris. Figures like Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Jean Schlumberger, or César formed his close-knit artistic circle — a clan bound by vision and innovation.

These enduring relationships laid the foundation of a legacy that lives on through the Maison today: a story rooted in artistry, collaboration, and above all, timeless design. Influenced by the principles of the Bauhaus and functionalism, dinh van’s creations transcend eras — objects of pure form and lasting emotion, made to accompany life, not just decorate it.

Any words of advice for others who would like to reach this milestone?

Mdv: Jean Dinh Van never followed the rules. He believed in starting with the hand before moving the mind. “When I touched metal,” he said, “a passion was born.”

His unwavering passion and devotion to craft as a sculptor shaped every creation. That’s the essence of our advice: pursue your passion, remain true to your freedom, and let your craft speak for itself.

At its core, dinh van is a statement of freedom of choice — of choosing simplicity over ornament, meaning over convention. His pieces invite the wearer to express individuality with quiet strength, free from the dictates of passing fashion. In this spirit, dinh van continues to embody a modern elegance that is both personal and enduring — a timeless freedom.