World renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg was awarded WJA Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award by the Women’s Jewelry Association. At the award ceremony last week she admitted to being “drawn to designing jewelry”, and and expressed gratitude for being accepted to the jewelry industry. In her speech she highlighted that her mission as a fashion designer was to “empower women via fashion, mentoring, and philanthropy.”

Diane Von Furstenberg Jewelry for H. Stern

Diane von Furstenberg has been present in the jewelry industry for several decades, this spring teaming up with luxury jeweler H. Stern for a line of ethnic jewelry and jewelry watches.

Diane von Furstenberg Jewelry Watch

The award ceremony was held at New York City’s Pier 60, where WJA also announced its awardee for the Hall of Fame Corporate Award for Excellence. The award, that is named after Ben Kaiser, went to president and CEO of Jewelers of America, Matt Runci. Aside from directing Jewelers of America, Matt Runci is also the chairman of Responsible Jewelry Council, an international, not-for-profit organization established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewelry industry by advancing responsible business practices throughout the diamond and gold jewelry supply chain.

At the ceremony, Runci mentioned the award to be special as he reflected on his first job – teaching at a women’s college -, and his world tenure with the award’s namesake Ben Kaiser, whom he described as a gracious mentor.

The ceremony was attended by some 550 designers and industry experts, while an ongoing silent auction during the award ceremony raised over $30,000 for WJA scholarships and grants programs. Another sensation of the show was the participation of recently engaged Ivanka Trump, showing off with her shiny brand new engagement ring. Funnily enough, while Ivanka Trump announced her engagement a few weeks ago in her Twitter feed, WJA also thanked Ivanka for her participation on Twitter.

Ivanka Trump at the WJA Award Ceremony

Other recipients for the 2009 Awards for Excellence (where nominees are chosen by the membership of the Women’s Jewelry Association) included:

• Gena Alulis, Cliq by Superfit, King of Prussia, PA (Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier Category)
• Kathy Corey, Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, ME (Retail Category – fewer than 15 stores)
• Brandee Dallow, Julius Klein Group, Scarsdale, New York (Marketing and Communications Category)
• Dione Kenyon, Jewelers Board of Trade, Warwick, R.I. (Special Services Category)
• Cheryl Kremkow, Modern Jeweler New York City (Editorial/Reporting/Publishing Category)
• Ann Lagos, Ann King Design, Philadelphia, PA (Design: Fine Jewelry & Watches Category)
• Robin Lutin, JCK International Publishing Group, Los Angeles (Sales Category)
• Bea Spiech, Macy’s, New York City (Retail – More than 15 stores)

“We are indebted to these women and to all of the nominees for serving as role models for all of us in the jewellery industry. We can learn from their successful careers and from their commitment to giving back to this industry and their communities. We are enriched by their examples and leadership,” WJA chairman Yancy Weinrich said in her ceremonial speech.