The Identity Cafe at NYC Jewelry Week 2025

Performing Identity explores how jewelry, photography, and video can reveal, obscure, and challenge who we are today. This exhibition invites audiences into an open, welcoming space with interactive experiences, community dialogues, and talks.

Meet the artist at The Identity Cafe for a cup of tea and conversations that ask "what stories does your jewelry tell?" and "has your jewelry ever made you feel powerful?"

Jeannette Knigge (Netherlands, 1973) is a visual artist and goldsmith whose practice explores the body, identity, and the transformative power of adornment. After completing her goldsmith training in 1996 and graduating from the Art Academy in 2001, she founded KunstGoud, where she combines craftsmanship with artistic inquiry. In 2022, she joined the prestigious MASieraad program in Belgium, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2024 with her collection Performing Identity. This work, blending jewelry, photography, and video, investigates how personal adornment can challenge cultural norms, question beauty standards, and open dialogue about identity. Her pieces invite viewers to reflect on their own sense of self and the ways jewelry can act as mirror, mask, or declaration. Today, Knigge’s work is shown internationally, continuing to evolve through experimentation, conversation, and community engagement.

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

The Jewelry Library at Maison 10, 4 West 29th Street, New York, United States