Silvia Furmanovich won the “The Editors’ Choice” category of the Couture Design Award in Las Vegas.
A pair of earrings made with horse mane using a centuries-old technique enchanted the jury at the latest edition of The Couture Show, the premier event in North America for luxury jewelry and watches. This achievement was accomplished by Brazilian jewelry designer Silvia Furmanovich, a participant in Precious Brazil, an initiative of the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). This initiative promotes the sector abroad, boosting exports of Brazilian products.
This is the fifth award won by Furmanovich, who previously won in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2022 in the “Innovation” category.
Explaining her latest feat, Furmanovich emphasized the importance of being “interested” and “open” to seeking the new. “I learned the technique of horse mane weaving during a personal trip and loved that it is made by a community of women, a skill passed from mother to daughter. However, with all the technological advancements the world is going through, I feel that the newer generations have less interest in these manual crafts, and many arts may be lost,” she commented.
The winning piece, bouquet-shaped earrings woven with natural and pigmented horse mane by a community of Chilean artisans, is adorned with diamonds, pink and purple sapphires, and finished with 18k rose gold.
“For me, it’s a pleasure to collaborate with these artisans to bring more meaning and possibilities to their work. If this means keeping their art alive for a while longer, I feel like my work is done,” says Furmanovich about the technique used to create the winning piece.
The jewel is part of the collection entitled ‘Quintessence,’ which debuted at The Couture Show and will be available starting in September. The collection was inspired by the world of alchemy, where common metals were transmuted into gold. Furmanovich traveled to various places around the world in search of talents and natural materials, transforming them into jewelry that resembles works of art.
“The name ‘Quintessence’ represents the fifth and highest element of ancient philosophy, the essence that permeates all nature; the purest form of beauty and creativity,” says Furmanovich. “In this collection, we strive to capture that essence and transmute it into wearable art.”
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. The Agency carries out diverse commercial promotion initiatives, including prospective and trade missions, business rounds, sponsoring Brazilian companies’ participation in major international fairs, and facilitating visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to learn about the Brazilian production landscape.
About IBGM
The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association is a national, non-profit private entity founded in 1977. Its mission is to represent, integrate, develop, and promote all segments of the gem, jewelry, and fashion jewelry chain. The association works as an advocate for their interests and by promoting knowledge transfer, trust, and appreciation of their products among consumers.
About Precious Brazil
The Industry Sector Project Precious Brazil aims to support and promote Brazilian companies in the Minerals, gemstones, jewelry, and fashion accessories segments that seek to export their products, whether they are beginners, exporters, or already internationalized. Coordinated by IBGM – The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association in partnership with ApexBrasil – Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency – the project currently serves approximately 150 companies in the industry.
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