Two Area Jewelry Designers Honored - Fortunoff Fine Jewelry to Create and Market "Designing Hope" Winners; Proceeds to Benefit The Safe Center LI
Bethpage, NY (PRWEB) September 09, 2013 -- Allison Nagasue, of Demarest, NJ and Tatyana Zhuravel of Brooklyn, have been named the winners of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry’s 2013 Designing Hope contest. Each of the winners will see their winning designs produced by the jewelry 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 asked 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 Ms. Fortunoff, 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 17th. They will be made available at http://www.fortunoffjewelry.com shortly thereafter.
Ms. Nagasue’s first place entry is the 4 Corners pendant. She describes it as a “protection pendant” that watches over the North-South-East and West when worn. The piece has onyx facets and interlocking links that represent connection.
The runner-up design – Ms. Zhurayev’s Love Ring - represents two individuals holding a heart – the symbols of life and love.
Ms. Fortunoff hopes to manufacture both pieces in sterling silver and gold versions to make them available at various price points.
“We are delighted to be working with Fortunoff Fine Jewelry and Esther Fortunoff who has been a generous supporter of our mission from the beginning,” said Jerry Algozer, Associate Development Director at The Safe Center LI. “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.”
ABOUT THE SAFE CENTER LI
Located in an historic Grumman-era building at 15 Grumman Road W., Bethpage, The Safe Center LI is a specially designed space which allows for a close collaboration between the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) and the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN). The Safe Center LI was established to protect, assist, and empower child and adult victims of family violence and sexual assault while challenging and changing social systems that tolerate and perpetuate abuse. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/thesafecenterli. The telephone number for TSCLI is 516-465-4700; fax number is 516-465-4740. To book a training session go to http://www.ccanli.org, and http://www.cadvnc.org. The 24-hour domestic abuse hotline can be accessed at 516-542-0404.
ABOUT FORTUNOFF FINE JEWELRY
Founded in 1922 by Max and Clara Fortunoff in Brooklyn, New York, Fortunoff has developed a widely recognized and trusted brand noted for quality, selection, service and value. Jewelry quickly became a company specialty as Helene Fortunoff oversaw a team of women buyers that became a trusted source for generations of shoppers. Her daughter, Esther, carried on the tradition developing an expertise in diamonds, gemstones, pearls and the production of unique designs.
Back in the hands of the founding family, Fortunoff Fine Jewelry is re-emerging as a stand-alone specialty retail concept. After the launch of the new e-commerce site the company will turn towards brick-and-mortar opportunities.
Chief merchant Esther Fortunoff has served on the Board of Directors of Jewelers of America (JA), the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and the American Gemstone Trade Association laboratory. Among many industry awards, she counts the Retailer Hall of Fame Award from National Jeweler magazine and Retailer of the Year Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association. Her charitable and civic work has included board positions at The Safe Center LI, The Long Island chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Long Island Association, and the Manhattan-based Mabou Mines theater company.
For more information about Fortunoff, visit http://www.fortunoff.com.
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Contact: Gina Pirozzi 212/228-1249
gina(at)gpirozzi.com
Gina Pirozzi, G. Pirozzi Consulting, +1 212-228-1249, [email protected]
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