Company: Lafonn LLC, Cypress, CA
Company Description: Lafonn designs and manufactures the finest simulated diamond and lab-grown gemstone jewelry at a price within reach. Since 2010, we’ve been offering accessible luxury at its best . With retail prices from USD 100, Lafonn products give every woman the opportunity to own a beautiful, well-made piece of jewelry. Lafonn, created by a woman for women everywhere.
Nomination Category: Achievement Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion
 Nomination Title: MOLLY WANG, FOUNDER AND CEO
- Briefly describe the nominated organization: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 190 words used.
Founded by Molly Wang in 2010, Lafonn was born from a singular mission to empower women through style and self-confidence with beautifully-crafted, affordable jewelry.
With retail prices from USD $100, Lafonn’s simulated diamond and lab-grown gemstone collections put luxury within reach, giving every woman the opportunity to own a beautiful, well-made piece of jewelry.
Today, Lafonn has grown into a leading fashion jewelry brand sold at premier retailers including Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, and over 1000 jewelry stores in North America. Lafonn is an industry leader from merchandising to business model. With [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] a dedicated team of over 20 employees, Lafonn prides itself on its diverse and inclusive workforce. The company is also committed to giving back through various charitable collections and initiatives that have benefited Susan G. Komen since 2016 and Art N Paws, a no-kill animal rescue organization, since 2021.
Lafonn’s founder was recognized with a bronze Stevie Award in 2022 for Best Female Entrepreneur – Consumer Products –11 to 2,500 category. As a first generation Chinese-American and single mother, building Lafonn is Molly Wang's American Dream come true.
- Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of last year that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 244 words used.
Lafonn’s commitment to their brand mission includes empowering all women OF ALL ABILITIES AND SIZES through beautifully-crafted, affordable jewelry.
To make Lafonn jewelry more inclusive and accessible for women of all abilities to wear, the brand introduced the “Bracelet Helper”, a mobility aid that enables effortless self-fastening of bracelets and necklaces by securely holding one end, allowing users to easily manage even the smallest clasps independently.
The bracelet helper is for everyone. The tool is particularly helpful for people who have difficulty manipulating small objects or clasps due to arthritis, limited dexterity, or other hand-related issues.
Lafonn began including a complimentary bracelet helper (a $3 value) and an instruction card with every bracelet sold. Since July 2023, over 4,400 bracelet helpers have been provided to Lafonn’s retail partners and website customers.
Additionally, Lafonn extended their jewelry size offerings to ensure women of all sizes can enjoy beautiful jewelry, which was previously limited by standard sizes catering to smaller customers. Lafonn’s most popular bracelets are now available in more inclusive sizes ranging from 6.5” through 8.0”, and most ring styles are available in sizes 5-10.
Lafonn’s DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts for disability inclusivity have been recognized by the jewelry industry’s leading publication, JCK. Journalist Karen Dybis noted that “others in the jewelry industry would be wise to follow Wang’s example.” The bracelet helper and inclusive sizing makes Lafonn more diverse and inclusive for under-served customers and valued retail partners.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 196 words used.
- 20230928_Mail_Lafonn_Bracelet Helper Launch.pdf Lafonn Email Announcemen
- 20231130_Lafonn_Bracelet_Helper_600x600.png Marketing Graphic
- Lafonn-Bracelet-Helper-768x521.jpg Product Demo Photo
- 20231208_Lafonn on JCK - Molly Specal Story copy.jpg Press Clipping 1
- 20240617_Lafonn on JCK Online_Bracelet Helper DEI.jpg Press Clipping 2
- 20240718_RJO INSIDE TRACK - July 2024 - August BR Sizes_2.ppdf Marketing Graphic 2
- Bracelet Helper Edited.mp4 Video Tutorial
- Lafonn_20240717_Bracelet Helper Report.xlsx Shipping Report
- Lafonn_AIR_Disabilities Market Share.pdf American Institutes of Research, discretionary income & market share for persons with disabilities
- Lafonn_Bracelet Helper with Order.png Bracelet Sizes Website Product Page 1
- Lafonn_Bracelet Helper_2.png Product Photo
- Lafonn_Bracelet Sizes.png Website Product Page 2
- Lafonn_Ring Sizes.png Website Product Page 3
- Lafonn_CDC_Disability Statistics Infographic.pdf CDC, Disability Statistics
- Lafonn_CNN_Womens Plus Size Stats.pdf
- Lafonn_US womens inclusive sizing apparel market - statistics & facts _ Statista.pdf Statista, Size Inclusivity & Plus Size Data, US market value
- Lafonn_Fashion Univted_Study reveals most common complaints of plus-size fashion consumers.pdf Fashion United, Plus Size Women’s Lack of Jewelry Sizes
- Lafonn_PressRelease Collection_20210119.pdf Charity Collection 1
- Lafonn_PressRelease_Pink Ribbon Collection Susan G Komen_20230921_FINAL.pdf Charity Collection 2
- Lafonn_PressRelease_StevieAwards2022_112022_Final.pdf Steve Awards 2022 WInner
- Lafonn_StevieAwardsProgram_PRINT.pdf Stevie Awards Program Book Ad 2022
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the nominated achievements since July 1 of 2022, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions, provide them in the appropriate spaces below:
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Lafonn’s founder wanted her retail partners to understand why such aids are important. Wang has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for more than 30 years and often felt frustrated when she needed help putting on her own jewelry.
Up to 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability, and 12.1 percent of U.S. adults have a mobility disability. The number of individuals living with disabilities is expected to increase in the coming years as the general population ages. According to American Institutes of Research, discretionary income for 20-million working-age people with disabilities is about $21 billion.
Including a complimentary bracelet helper with Lafonn bracelet purchases is a thoughtful solution that makes a difference in the daily lives of those with hand-related mobility issues, especially older women who have become less nimble when putting on jewelry.
Within the jewelry industry, few brands offer quality jewelry with a focus on disability or size inclusivity, and none with a retail footprint like Lafonn’s. Plus-size female consumers are a historically underserved population. Sixty-seven percent of U.S. women are considered plus-size, but the largest ring size most retail stores offer is an 8, leaving members of this $12.7 billion US market share empty–handed and disappointed.
Lafonn proudly offers extended ring and bracelet sizes while most brands won’t due to the high cost of research and design, manufacturing, and stocking inventory. Lafonn’s steadily increasing sales of extended ring and bracelet sizes reflect the growing demand for inclusive jewelry.
| Attachments/Videos/Links: |
|---|
|
