Following a vibrant Opening Night Event on Wednesday evening, the first day of COUTURE 2026 started on a high note. The aisles of the Cristal ballroom and Design Atelier corridor were full of excited energy and salons and ballrooms were busy throughout the day.
“We are thrilled to be back home at Wynn Las Vegas,” enthused Gannon Brousseau, EVP, Emerald. “This community is so exceptional, and the dedication and hard work all of our designers and brands have put into their collections are evident in the extraordinary pieces on display. The energy on the floor has been incredible; we’re looking forward to another great edition of COUTURE.”
This same sentiment was expressed by several retailers in attendance. “The creativity on display is so compelling this year,” said Julie Von Bargen of Von Bargen’s Jewelers. “We’re seeing a lot of one-of-a-kind collections, lots of color and a remarkable level of innovation, even among designers whose work we’ve carried for years; they’re showing a lot of new, awesome pieces!”
“The collections we’re seeing this year are very personal expressions of creativity,” noted Amie Guarino of Louis Anthony Jewelers. “Everything is very bright and happy. There is so much color, and gold has not slowed down. People are looking for personal style over trends and COUTURE has that in abundance; that’s why we come to COUTURE.”
“There’s a lot of positive energy on both sides of the case,” said Paul Schneider from TWIST. “I’m seeing a lot of new work and a lot of enthusiasm on the show floor; it’s great to be back!”
Designers and brands were equally passionate about their first day, with Victor Velyan remarking, “This has been my best first day of my 14 years exhibiting at COUTURE. Our retailers are focused, happy to be here, and showing up to their appointments ready to shop.”
Jennifer Shanker, founder of MUSE Showroom, felt similarly, “It’s been steadily busy in our salons all day, and when you look around the ballroom everyone is busy. People are coming to shop and to buy; it’s been a great first day!”
Only in her second year exhibiting, Selima Thakker was ecstatic with how the event is going for her so far, “There is a really good vibe in the ballroom and people are so receptive to our work. I’m meeting so many new people and we’re having so much fun sharing our designs with retailers who really understand the work.”
After a ten year hiatus, Omi Privé returned to COUTURE this year, and the president and designer of the brand, Niveet Nagpal, could not be happier to be back, “I feel like we’re home, this is where we belong. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the reception from both retailers and my fellow exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive; this feels like family.”
