The Couture Jewelry Show Names Eric Ford As Brand Director

The annual jewelry trade fair, Couture, has appointed retail industry veteran, Eric Ford, to the newly established role of brand director, effective immediately.

In his new role, Ford will oversee the brand’s day-to-day operations at Couture while also spearheading strategic enhancements that are designed to “benefit the event and the Couture community,” the management at Couture said in a statement.

Prior to accepting the position, Ford worked at luxury retailer, Neiman Marcus, for more than 30 years, most recently serving as precious jewelry buyer for all 36 stores of the retail chain. The statement says he earned a reputation for identifying talent and working closely with each brand to ensure the ongoing success of their businesses in the United States.

Ford will report directly to Gannon Brousseau, executive vice president of the Luxury & Design Group at Emerald, a trade show and publishing company that owns and operates the Couture jewelry show.

Ford already has a relationship with the upscale jewelry and timepiece trade show. He is member of the Couture Retailer Advisory Council, and he leads the initiative, “Belonging at Couture,” a volunteer program that attempts to amplify the voices of a group of creatives who many believe have previously not received the recognition they many feel they deserve. The initiative helps foster the growth and professional development of rising star talent.

“I am thrilled to assume the new role of Couture brand director,” Ford said in the statement. “Having the opportunity to work alongside a team of people with whom I already have great relationships is truly a unique honor. I’m looking forward to leveraging my decades of industry experience and the relationships that I’ve build over the years to work collaboratively to bring even more value to an industry and a community about which I’ve long been passionate.”

Brousseau added, “Eric’s vast knowledge and understanding of fine jewelry coupled with the good will he’s fostered throughout the industry will be a huge asset to Couture. Eric also has a long tenure serving on our Retailer Advisory Council, and he has been leading ‘Belonging at Couture’ since it was formed in 2020. These critical roles have allowed him to become intimately familiar with the inner workings of Couture while also forging strong relationships with key members of the team.”

With Ford overseeing the ongoing operations of Couture, Gannon will concentrate on larger, strategic initiatives that will serve to strengthen and grow the brand, Emerald said in the statement.

Elana Cutler, Couture brand manager, will report directly to Ford.

Another previously announced organizational change includes the appointment of Kimberly Straub as Couture’s new “retailer liaison.” Straub is taking over the position following the retirement this summer of Jan Mohr, who has served as the brand’s retailer liaison for more than 25 years.

Couture is held annually at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort. It is the most important trade fair in North America for the designer fine jewelry and luxury timepiece market. It is an invitation only event for jewelry retailers, jewelry designers and timepiece manufacturers. This year’s event held June 4 – 8 attracted approximately 325 designer jewelry and timepiece exhibitors from North America and around the world.