Jewelry - Fashion and Memorialization at NYC Jewelry Week 2025

Hosted by Esther Fortunoff-Greene at New York City’s iconic Frank E. Campbell funeral chapel, this enlightening event explores the fascinating intersection of jewelry, fashion, and remembrance. Attendees will discover how jewelry has evolved as both a statement of personal style and a powerful symbol of memory, tracing its historical significance from adornment to commemoration in art, culture, and human expression.

Esther Fortunoff-Greene is a leading voice for integrity and ethical standards in the jewelry industry. For more than forty years, she has represented the legendary Fortunoff legacy while redefining what responsible business looks like in the 21st century. Trained from a young age in every facet of the trade, from the repair bench to international sourcing of gemstones, Esther helped build an all-female global buying team, always looking for new and innovative styles.

When the Fortunoff brand rebounded from the 2009 financial crisis, Esther co-founded its online revival and opened a brick-and-mortar boutique that blended digital reach with personalized service, a model now emulated across the jewelry retail industry. Today, through her design studio, EFG Designs, she transforms heirlooms into future classics through personalized consulting and insights born of a lifetime of jewelry expertise.

Esther remains a respected advocate for responsible business in the fine jewelry industry.

Ward Kelvin is an accomplished jewelry designer and creative director with a career spanning fine jewelry, fashion, and luxury branding. Trained at the Rhode Island School of Design, he has held leadership roles with renowned jewelry houses and collaborated with top designers and retailers worldwide. Known for his refined aesthetic and innovative approach, Ward blends artistry with storytelling to create pieces that honor craftsmanship, heritage, and modern design.

Dana is a jewelry dealer specializing in antique jewelry, though her vintage collection called Keyamour spans the Georgian to mid-20th century periods. Since her father was in the US army, she lived all around the world sparking an interest in art and travel that laid a foundation for the love of the varied aesthetics of antique jewelry. Dana started at Christie’s in Los Angeles over 20 years ago and worked with several estate dealers before settling in New York. Her time as the jewelry buyer for Fred Leighton strengthened her love and appreciation of Georgian and Victorian jewelry which is now her signature look for Keyamour.

Jennifer Graziano represents the 4th generation of her family in the funeral industry. She currently oversees the operations of her family’s 4 funeral homes across NY & CT. An attorney, she is of counsel for a CT-based firm handling predominantly trust and estate matters. Jennifer founded the RememBar Collection of fine memorial jewelry in 2019. After a lifetime in the funeral industry, she witnessed a departure from conventional funeral and memorial customs and recognized the consumer’s growing desire for tangible comforts. She created RememBar in response to those trends, enlisting the help of Ward Kelvin, a veteran of the NYC jewelry world. Today, RememBar Collection has grown to include pendants, bracelets and rings. It remains unique in the memorial jewelry space as each piece contains a hollowed out vessel, allowing for a portion of cremated remains, lock of hair or even perfume scent to be securely held inside.

Each November, NYC Jewelry Week proudly presents ‘The Week,’ a 7-day celebration dedicated to the art of jewelry. This annual festival invites a global audience to explore the world of jewelry through a dynamic mix of in-person and virtual experiences, spanning New York City and beyond. Our hybrid program features virtual programs streamed on YouTube alongside immersive on-site activities.

In-person, NYC Jewelry Week brings together leading figures in the jewelry industry to curate extraordinary experiences, including exhibitions, exclusive shopping opportunities, and retail collaborations. Attendees can also participate in insightful panel discussions that explore trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. Each event creates memorable jewelry moments that celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of the industry.

Committed to inclusivity, many of our programs are free and open to the public. NYC Jewelry Week seeks to reshape how people view jewelry by inviting everyone to appreciate the artistry behind the scenes. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of jewelry and experience the beauty and innovation that define our community.

We look forward to welcoming you to NYCJW25!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue, New York, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App