Kering hosts the inaugural ‘Kering Generation Award X Jewelry’ ceremony in Las Vegas

On Saturday, June 7, Kering held the first-ever ‘Kering Generation Award X Jewelry’ ceremony at the JCK Show in Las Vegas – one of the most influential events in the global jewelry industry.

Launched in November 2024, the Award was created by Kering in collaboration with CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation, and with scientific coordination by Poli.Design – Politecnico di Milano. The initiative aims to foster a new generation of innovators committed to sustainability in the jewelry sector. Centered around the theme “Second Chance, First Choice”, the Award challenged participants to turn
waste into value, by designing a piece or collection that gives new life to discarded materials through creative excellence and sustainable thinking. The competition brought together 22 startups and students from 10 world-renowned universities and academies.

The winner in the student category was Lee Min Seo, a student from the Department of Metalwork and Jewelry at Hongik University in Seoul, Korea.

The startup category Award was granted to Ianyan, China’s first curator-style retail independent designer jewelry brand, recognized for its creative and responsible approach.

The ceremony also demonstrated strong show of support from Kering’s jewelry Houses — Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, and Qeelin — reflecting the Group’s broader commitment to responsible innovation and sustainability across the jewelry value chain.
The winners will benefit from a mentorship with experts from Politecnico di Milano. Their designs will be unveiled by Kering at the JCK Show and through global media channels, highlighting their commitment to innovation and sustainability. In addition, student Lee Min Seo will have the opportunity to complete an internship at one of Kering’s jewelry Maisons.
The trophies, designed by Yi Design, winner of the third Kering Generation Award in China, were presented by Professor Alba Cappellieri, Head of Jewelry and Fashion Accessories Programs at Politecnico di Milano, Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, and Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO. Through the ‘Kering Generation Award X Jewelry’, Kering reaffirms its belief that creativity and sustainability must go hand in hand to shape the future of luxury.

‘With the Kering Generation Award X Jewelry, we aim to empower a new wave of talents who are reshaping the jewelry industry through creativity and responsibility. The inspiring work of Lee Min Seo and Ianyan demonstrates that sustainable innovation is not only possible, but already taking shape. I would also like to warmly congratulate all the finalists, whose projects reflect the imagination and commitment needed to build a more sustainable future for our industry,’ commented Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer, Kering.

‘CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, is representing the interests of the entire pipeline of the jewellery industry worldwide. I am honored to support Kering with this award that marks an unbeatable progress to let our industry heading toward a more sustainable and equitable development and the two winning projects are the demonstration of it,’ said Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO.

Lee Min Seo

Korea | Student Category

Lee Min Seo breathes new life into tradition with Rhythm Reborn, a unique collection crafted from discarded leather of the janggu, a traditional Korean percussion instrument. Through this project, she reimagines Korean music while promoting sustainability and cultural preservation. As the creative voice of Hongik University, Lee transforms worn-out janggu leather — often discarded after extensive use — into stunning jewelry pieces. This not only prevents environmental waste but also symbolizes the enduring beauty and emotion of Korean musical heritage. Rhythm Reborn is more than a collection; it’s a statement. By fusing sustainability with tradition, it elevates the value of Korea’s musical legacy and presents a bold, modern interpretation of cultural identity.

Ianyan

China | Startup category

Ianyan is a Chinese brand highlighting fractured opals and unusual stones through its collections, often overlooked in conventional jewelry for their raw beauty. The brand promotes a circular economy by choosing imperfect gems to revive traditional values and give new life to materials through craftsmanship, and by designing each piece to berepaired, transformed or recomposed. Each piece tells a story of nature’s cycle: born from the earth, reshaped by human creativity, and meant to return to nature.