Jewellery week a big platform for us: Designers

MUMBAI - A wider reach, a face to their designs and of course good business - the inaugural edition of the India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) provided all this and much more to jewellery designers, who have given the event a resounding thumbs up and say it helped them in widening their horizons.

The designers had only four months to prepare their collections but they put their best foot forward, says Sanjay Kothari of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), which hosted the five-day event that concluded Thursday.

“You won’t believe, we had just four months for this event and the kind of response we received from the designers was excellent. They have been very supportive in coming up with their collections in such a short span of time,” Kothari told IANS.

“What we wanted to showcase to the world is that our designers have the potential, that they are the best and their collections speaks a thousand words about their creativity,” he added.

Fully concurring with this was Rosily Paul, who has been in the business of jewellery designing for nine years and has won 16 awards for her intricate designs. She felt IIJW gave her a platform to showcase the best of her collection to a large audience.

“I have a dedicated clientele but it is always great to have more in your kitty. I showcased my best collections during my show - it was like the best of the best of my brand. I am sure my designs have the appeal to attract more costumers and I am hoping it will do the magic,” Paul explained.

The event had 30 designers participating from all over India.

Apart from well-known designers like Farah Khan Ali, Varun D. Jani and Bina Goenka, brands like Mirari, Gitanjali, Amrapali, Tanishq and Ganjam also participated in it.

Deepak Choksi, owner of CVM Exports, who also showcased his line during the week, said the event had given small-town designers a platform to showcase their creativity.

“We have a four-decade legacy to our brand and an event like this has given us the best platform to showcase our line. It is a great opportunity for us and I feel being in this business for such a long time, I know we are the best in the business and have potential to rise to greater heights,” said Choksi, who is from Junagarh in Gujarat.

“It is just the beginning and we are hoping to showcase in the next edition as well,” he added.

The designers took this platform seriously and participated with their exquisite collections as it gave them an opportunity to reach out to larger audiences.

Farah Ali Khan, who launched her label in 2004 and has around 15 years of experience in the field, launched her India-inspired line during IIJW.

“This is the first time an event of such stature was happening and I wanted to do something special. Also, as my show was on Independence Day, so I decided to dedicated this special line to my country,” Farah told IANS.

Titled Adaayein, Farah’s collection celebrated Indian craftsmanship with intricate work in emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The line also had pieces in polki and diamond mix and Farah said it was a combination that will go well with Indian as well as western outfits.

The range had an interesting mix of necklaces, chokers, bracelets, bangles, earrings and cocktail rings.

Though most of the designers showcased their best of the best collection on the ramp, Ganjam chose to showcase his latest line that will hit the stores soon. His show was inspired by nature and had droplets of water, waterfalls, rose petals and stars for their line of opulent designs and detailed craftsmenship.