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RAPAPORT... Fortunoff Fine Jewelry selected Allison Nagasue of Demarest New Jersey and Tatyana Zhuravel of Brooklyn, New York as the winning designers of its 2013 Designing Hope contest. The two will have their pieces produced by the retailer and sold to benefit The Safe Center LI and the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“This program allows Fortunoff Fine Jewelry to showcase two designers, while calling attention to the great work done by The Safe Center,” said the contest’s creator, Esther Fortunoff-Greene. “We expect the winning designs to be in high demand. We’re proud to produce and market them since their sale will raise money and awareness for victims of domestic violence.”
The contest sought professional and student designers to submit up to four concepts reflecting the “Designing Hope” theme along with a vision statement and a description of the materials suggested for manufacturing. The winners were selected by a committee of representatives, including Fortunoff-Greene, representatives of The Safe Center LI, and independent judges. The pieces are expected to be unveiled at The Safe Center’s Annual Gala at Oheka Castle on October 17 and will be made available at http://www.fortunoffjewelry.com shortly thereafter.
Nagasue’s first place entry is the 4 Corners pendant, described as a “protection pendant” that watches over the North, South, East and West when worn. The piece features onyx facets and interlocking links representing connection. Zhurayev’s Love Ring received the runner-up design recognition and represents two individuals holding a heart – the symbols of life and love.
Fortunoff-Greene said the company plans to manufacture both pieces in sterling silver and gold to make them available at various price points.
Jerry Algozer, the associate development director at The Safe Center LI, said, “We are delighted to be working with Fortunoff Fine Jewelry and Esther Fortunoff-Greene, who has been a generous supporter of our mission from the beginning. We had so many beautiful submissions from talented designers that it made it difficult to select a winner. Our winners should be very proud of their work and the impact they will have on the communities we serve.”
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