Kering Generation Award X Jewelry: Finalists Unveiled for JCK Las Vegas 2025
A New Era in Sustainable Jewelry Design
As the world moves toward a more sustainable future, the Kering Generation Award has emerged as a beacon of innovation in jewelry design. Launched in November 2024, this groundbreaking initiative invites students and emerging start-ups to rethink the future of jewelry through the lens of sustainability. The theme for this year, “Second Chance, First Choice,” challenges applicants to create stunning pieces that transform waste materials into meaningful art.
The Road to Selection: A Competitive Process
After meticulous evaluations, the finalists were handpicked from a diverse group of promising candidates in May. This year, the top four finalists—two each from the student and start-up categories—are set to present their visionary projects on June 7, 2025, at the highly esteemed JCK Las Vegas Show.
The Kering Generation Award is steadfastly supported by Kering’s renowned jewelry maisons—Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, and Qeelin—underscoring the luxury group’s commitment to responsible innovation and circular design.
Meet the Finalists
Start-up Category
Ex Oblivione (France)
This innovative French brand blends aerospace technology with luxury craftsmanship. Ex Oblivione ingeniously repurposes components from decommissioned space missions, such as satellite shielding, to create high-end jewelry that tells a story beyond aesthetics.- Ianyan (China)
Ianyan is redefining beauty by showcasing fractured opals and unconventional stones typically overlooked in traditional settings. With a circular design approach, their pieces embrace imperfection, featuring modular, repairable, and transformable designs that celebrate the artistry of raw materials.
Student Category
Lee Min Seo (South Korea)
Representing Hongik University, Lee Min Seo’s collection, Rhythm Reborn, is a homage to cultural heritage. Utilizing discarded leather from the traditional Korean jang-gu drum, this project merges music and sustainability, reimagining elements of heritage through innovative design.- Tony Favorito (USA)
Hailing from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Tony Favorito has crafted the Memory Fragment series. This creative endeavor reclaims marble and stone fragments from home renovations, transforming them into modular rings that preserve personal histories, turning memories into wearable art.
Kering’s Commitment to Sustainability
The Kering Generation Award not only highlights these remarkable designers but also reinforces Kering’s broader sustainability initiatives. Since joining the “Plug and Play – Fashion for Good” accelerator in 2017, Kering has actively supported innovation through successive editions of the Kering Generation Award in various regions, including China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The goal is to scale impactful start-ups across global fashion and jewelry sectors.
The Exciting Finale at JCK Las Vegas
The final judging at the JCK Las Vegas Show promises to be a captivating showcase of cutting-edge design and environmental stewardship. This event aims to spotlight the next generation of visionary jewelry talent, turning heads in the world of luxury and sustainability.
With every piece created, we moving towards a future where sustainability and elegance coalesce. Stay tuned for the unveiling of extraordinary talent and transformative designs that challenge the status quo in the world of jewelry.
For more insights on sustainability in fashion, explore Sustainable Fashion or learn more about the Kering Group’s initiatives here.
