Ballerinas and Supermodels Add Glam to New York's 24 Karat Weekend Gala

The lights cut out inside the Waldorf Astoria's banquet room, and then the evening became something else entirely. Rows of ballerinas from Youth America Grand Prix appeared on the balconies above the dining room, some of them flanking 24 Karat Club president Steven Lagos, before the troupe descended to perform after dinner. It was an entrance that set the tone for New York's 24 Karat Weekend gala, where the jewelry industry's annual mix of panels, luncheons, and schmoozing gave way, at least for one night, to something genuinely theatrical.

The centerpiece of the evening was the Gem Awards ceremony, where five honors recognized designers, retailers, a grant recipient, and a media figure whose work has shaped how fine jewelry reaches the public.

Three winners were announced live: the Gem Award for Jewelry Design went to Sylvia Furmanovich; the Gem for Media Excellence was given to Thomas Waller, WWD's senior fashion market editor for accessories; and the Gem for Retail Innovation was won by London-based Jessica McCormack, whose approach to retail has drawn sustained attention on both sides of the Atlantic.

The evening's most photographed moment came when supermodel Linda Evangelista presented the Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence to Ana Khouri. Evangelista and Khouri had attended last year's Met Gala together, and their reunion on the Waldorf Astoria stage underscored how closely the highest tier of jewelry design now orbits fashion's celebrity culture. An image of the two together, circulated from the ceremony, captured the warmth of a presentation that felt less like a formal handoff than a genuine endorsement.

Also at the ceremony, David Yurman personally bestowed the first-ever David Yurman Gem Awards Grant on Johnny Nelson, marking a new chapter for an awards program that has historically recognized established figures. The grant signals an interest in supporting emerging talent, though the criteria and selection process behind the inaugural award were not detailed at the event. The Udells received a lifetime award, rounding out an evening of industry honors, though specifics about their background and citation were not announced publicly.

The broader 24 Karat Weekend, which draws buyers and media whose conversations shape purchasing decisions well beyond the gala itself, unfolded across panels and luncheons before the Waldorf Astoria evening brought it to a close. A parade of past party shots accompanied the proceedings, a nod to the weekend's long run as an industry institution. The ballet troupe from Youth America Grand Prix, performing both as a surprise entrance and in a post-dinner set, ensured this edition would be remembered for more than the handshakes.