Milamore, Juju Vera Unveil High Jewelry at New York Fashion Week

New Collections From Fund Finalists

This year's New York Fashion Week saw the debut of high jewelry collections from two CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists: Milamore, led by designer George Inaki, and Juju Vera, by Juju Ferentinos. Both designers showcased their latest creations through distinct presentations.

Inaki hosted his event at a traditional Japanese tea house, offering guests ceremonial matcha, while Ferentinos welcomed attendees to her newly opened studio in downtown Manhattan. These presentations highlighted the unique narratives and craftsmanship behind each brand, bringing a focus on intricate diamond pieces to the fashion week schedule.

Milamore's Kintsugi-Inspired Designs

George Inaki, who draws on his Spanish-Filipino and Japanese heritage, presented Milamore's collection, deeply rooted in the Japanese art of kintsugi. This practice involves repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, and Inaki's pieces often feature sculpted forms that mimic these gilded seams.

His collection included a signature kintsugi necklace, a gold squiggle design, alongside new creations like upcycled kimonos with pearl and diamond buttons. Inaki also showcased a heart pendant and a silver puzzle chain necklace, designed to be disassembled and reassembled.

He personally wore a 'divorce ring', made by melting his engagement ring and adding diamonds, aligning this transformation with the kintsugi ethos.

Juju Vera's Intricate Diamond Pieces

Juju Ferentinos unveiled Juju Vera's high jewelry collection at her new studio, a space adorned with satin curtains and art from her travels. The collection's highlight was a series of three pieces—an ear cuff, an anklet, and a necklace—all crafted in gold and designed to resemble a fishing net, each featuring a prominent diamond drop.

Ferentinos noted that the ear cuff alone required over a year of engineering. The anklet was specifically designed for the diamond to rest elegantly atop the wearer's metatarsals. These pieces reflect the brand's direction towards elegant accessories for the modern woman, inspired by iconic figures like Maria Agnelli and Jacqueline de Ribes.

Implications for Asian Bridal Jewelry

The debut of these high jewelry collections, particularly Milamore's kintsugi-inspired pieces, offers fresh perspectives for couples planning weddings in Asia. The Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and transformation, as seen in Inaki's designs, resonates with a growing demand for unique, narrative-driven bridal jewelry.

Asian couples increasingly seek pieces that carry cultural significance or a personal story, moving beyond conventional designs.

These collections demonstrate how high jewelry can integrate deep meaning and artistic craftsmanship, influencing choices for engagement rings and wedding-day accessories across markets like Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, where bespoke and culturally rich designs are gaining popularity.