Tiffany & Co., in collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), has announced Jameel Mohammed as the first recipient of the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
The award, created to recognise exceptional American jewelry designers who demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity within the design industry, provides Mohammed with $50,000 and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.’s design department.
The Award Ceremony and Program Details
The announcement was made during an intimate cocktail reception hosted at Tiffany & Co.’s iconic Fifth Avenue flagship, The Landmark. Tiffany & Co.’s Global Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Stéphanie Oueda-Cruz, presented the award alongside CFDA CEO Steven Kolb and Tiffany & Co. CMO Andrea Davey.
The award program, which ran from October 2024 to January 2025, included ten participants who were selected by a committee. Over the four months, the designers participated in mentorship sessions with Tiffany & Co.’s design team, toured Tiffany’s facilities such as The Landmark and the Jewelry Design and Innovation Workshop (JDIW), and attended lectures on subjects such as jewelry trends, sustainability, gemstones, and brand identity.
The program was part of Tiffany Atrium and CFDA Impact, social impact initiatives aimed at promoting innovation and equity in the design industry.
While accepting the award, Jameel Mohammed expressed his connection to the brand and his excitement for the opportunity: “I have long believed in the power of Tiffany & Co. as an American luxury brand. I am an American luxury designer, and I am really excited to be where I belong.”
Participants and Selection Committee
In addition to Jameel Mohammed, the program’s participants included:
- Angie Marei
- David Perry
- Ian Delucca
- Hi Vu
- Maggi Simpkins
- Malyia McNaughton
- Marvin Linares
- Pamela Zamore
- Symoné Currie
The selection committee featured industry leaders such as Bethann Hardison, Frank Everett, Gabrielle
Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO, commented on the broader implications of the initiative: “It’s really not just an opportunity for the 10 designers, but it’s creating opportunity beyond this room, showing what is possible to a next class of a program like this. This inaugural award is part of Tiffany Atrium and CFDA Impact, our respective equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging programs. It was intentionally designed to support designers that often don’t get represented or opportunities.”
Stéphanie Oueda-Cruz reinforced this sentiment, noting, “The award that we are celebrating is truly unique and first of its kind. What we are doing here tonight goes beyond this room. This is sending a strong message to all American talent that we are looking for them. That we can, together, elevate American design and send a strong message to the world.”
