FAST FACTS: 8th Edition Exhibitors 550+ Booths 1,100 + Visitors 10,000+ DAY 2 The Saturday 21st February, 2015 BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLITAIRE INTERNATIONAL FOR THE GJEPC Signature Off To A Confident Start Signature 2015, the year s first major jewellery show, witnessed a moderate number of serious buyers from across the country as well as some from overseas on day one. Despite the slow beginning, the mood on the show floor was upbeat following the Reserve Bank of India s recent easing of gold import curbs, which has raised the hopes of exhibitors and visitors alike ahead of the wedding season. More than 550 exhibitors mainly from Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Delhi are showcasing the best designer jewellery and loose stones the country has to offer. The eighth edition of Signature was inaugurated by chief guest Alrosa vice president Andrey Polyakov, who was joined by guests of honour Kirtilal Doshi, an industry stalwart, and Shaina NC, a social worker with ties to the ruling BJP government. Signature over the years has turned into a retail-centric event with the visitors limited to the decision makers. To promote India s jewellery making capabilities and skills internationally, the GJEPC has done road shows in Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt to bring visitors to Signature, which has paid rich dividends. GJEPC has been successful in convincing them to visit Signature this year and we are happy that a sizeable number of international buyers will be attending the show, stated GJEPC chairman Vipul Shah.
ARTISAN AWARDS Artisan Awards: Starry, Starry Night In a fitting, star-studded finale, the Artisan Awards declared the winners against the backdrop of glamour and beauty. The stunning compere Mallaika Arora Khan opened the show with her witty comments, followed by a spell-binding, foottapping performance by the band Bartenders. The dignitaries raised a toast to the real stars of the night the 12 bright jewellery designers. The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards was conceptualised to reward the best in jewellery design. Organised by the GJEPC under the guidance of Milan Choksi, co-convener, exhibition sub-committee (national) in partnership with Vogue India, the awards aim to celebrate the highest levels of artistry, innovation and individuality, elevating jewellery designers to their rightful status as artists. The inaugural edition celebrated I00 years of Indian cinema and was split into four categories based on the four iconic eras Monochromatic Magic (black and white era), Golden Glory (golden era), Colorama (masala films era) and Avant-Garde (global era). The awards received a phenomenal response of 800 entries. The awards went through three rounds of screening to select the best designs. In the first round of screening, the technical team consisting of industry stalwarts Gautam Banerjee, Devendra Layal and Laksh Pahuja shortlisted over 300 sketch entries which were then further filtered to 40 finalists by eminent jury members Solitaire International and Adorn managing editor Shanoo Bijlani, fashion designer Payal Singhal, Vogue India editor Priya Tanna, and NID design head Shimul Vyas Mehta at another round of screening in August. The final round saw fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali, socialite Pinky Reddy and art historian Usha R. Balkrishnan deliberate over the best designs, selecting 12 winners. The awards ceremony on February 20 was the culmination of the Artisan Awards 2014. GJEPC brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor was called on stage to hand over special awards, namely, Emerging Jewellery Designer of the Year Award to designer Suhani Pittie from Hyderabad; the Most Accomplished Retailer in Design Excellence Award to Bangalore-based heritage jeweller Ganjam; and the Most Accomplished Artisan of Our Time Award to world-renowned jewellery designer Viren Bhagat from Mumbai. FIRST RUNNER-UP ASTHA GUPTA, DELHI MONOCHROMATIC MAGIC The Silent era to the Talkies 1913-1930 Mfg. Sponsor: Jewel Goldi (India), Mumbai Alam-Ara WINNER SWATI KADAM, SURAT KPS Sanghvi Jewels Pvt. Ltd., Surat Raja Harishchandra SECOND RUNNER-UP SONI AMIN, JAIPUR Mfg. Sponsor: Bherumal Shamandas, Mumbai Devdas 2
ARTISAN AWARDS WINNER MEGHNA BAG, THANE Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt Ltd., Mumbai An Evening in Paris GOLDEN GLORY The Golden Era of Indian Cinema 1940s-1960s FIRST RUNNER-UP NATASHA ADNANI, MUMBAI Mfg. Sponsor: Fusions, Mumbai An Evening in Paris SECOND RUNNER-UP KOSHA SHAH, MUMBAI Shilpi Jewellers, Mumbai Love in Tokyo FIRST RUNNER-UP QUEETA RAWAT, DELHI COLOURAMA The Masala Movies Era 1970s-1990s Titan Company Ltd, New Delhi Sholay WINNER SUBHANKAR BHOWMICK, MUMBAI Mfg. Sponsor: Swarnsarita Jewellers Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai Sholay SECOND RUNNER-UP SUNITA SHEKHAWAT, JAIPUR Midas Signature Jewellery Pvt. Ltd., Rajasthan Hum Aapke Hain Kaun THE AVANT-GARDE The Era of Global Reach 2000 Onwards WINNER SHRUTIKA PATANKAR, MUMBAI Fabulous Unrounds, Mumbai Black FIRST RUNNER-UP HIMANI HARISH, NOIDA Mfg. Sponsor: KGK Creation India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai Queen SECOND RUNNER-UP ZOHARA MOORTHY, MUMBAI Queen 4
BRAND WATCH Design Cues Sama Jewellery presents a whole new range of designer jewellery. The Ananya collection displays an interesting interplay of organic and angular motifs. The rough and smooth textures blissfully co-exist in the same template with sensuous and fluid forms articulated in 18-karat yellow gold. The Hestia collection is inspired by the works of Zaha Hadid, a British-Iraqi designer known for her highly experimental and sinuous monumental wonders. The collection unifies simple forms with stylised curves and crisp geometric shapes and is crafted with 9-karat gold. Functionality marries fashion in the Hestia collection which is feather light but voluminous in form. Fashionable Wristwearr Known for its high quality jewellery, Sundaram Chains Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, has added more sub-collections to its famous brand Jura. The new line J18 (Jura in 18-karat gold) takes inspiration from diverse flowers accentuated with motherof-pearl and Swarovski gems. The stylish bracelets that come with a safety lock can easily team up with contemporary and traditional outfits. Top-notch Fare Sawansukha Jewellers of Kolkata presents a collection of stunning designer chokers, necklace sets and earrings garnished with diamonds and gemstones. This jadau necklace transports one back to the Mughal era. The green enamelling around the polki adds colour to the piece. The graceful chandeliers are adorned with rubies in Bangkok-setting with a surround of round diamonds. The mesmerizing choker is studded with marquise-shaped diamonds and a side motif in baguettes to offset the pattern. The gold choker in 22-karat gold follows a traditional template filled with intricate detailing. 6
BRAND WATCH Articulate Blossoms Indigo Jewellery showcases Blossom, a vibrant collection of flowers at Signature 2015. Epitomising floral motifs and asymmetrical patterns the collection is brought to life with a plethora of coloured gems, diamonds and pearls that are set in white and rose gold. Indulge in these modern and contemporary designs that unite nature s elegance and diamond grandeur. Party Staples Myra The Diamond Studio showcases their latest party-wear jewellery collection. Pair the chand baalis with an ethnic outfit or wear the pearl, white and yellow diamond ring to a party. Accentuate your wrists with the ruby and diamond encrusted floral cuff for a special occasion. The yellow pearl ring made in 18-karat yellow gold is studded with pear and marquise shape diamonds and yellow sapphires. Bold yet lightweight, the jewellery collection has something for every occasion. Fine Creations Gold jewellery studded with cubic zirconia (cz) is slowly capturing the consumer s fancy and market share in India. After extensive market research and interaction with top retailers, RBR Gold started manufacturing cz gold jewellery under its brand name in 2014. The hallmarked collections are stunning and perfect for daily and party wear. The jewellery pieces are set with Swarovski cz, the best in the world. Consisting of rings, pendant sets and more, the collections are finely crafted and have found a niche in the market. 8
DESIGN CORNER I Revere Gold & Nature: Anand Shah ANAND SHAH s fascination with gold is legendary. A winner of several top design awards, Shah works his magical skill on gold. Working on gold is a liberating experience for him and he never tires of producing jewellery that eulogises nature. The three-dimensional imagery in his designs is simply awe-inspiring. He speaks to Solitaire about his fresh collections and why he considers Signature as one of the shows that holds a lot of promise. This is your first time at Signature. Can you tell us why the show is important for you? Signature is a smaller show as compared to IIJS and the show has tremendous potential. It allows exhibitors to meet clients one-on-one and spend time talking about their latest collections, discussing concepts and above all, receiving valuable feedback from them about the collections or prototypes that are presented at the show. Could you tell us about your latest collection that will be introduced at the show? I love two things dearly gold and nature. So, these are the elements that find a permanent place in my creations. I have come up with a collection that incorporates flowers, branches, leaves, buds, and birds. Tell us more about the collection, the metal used, the gemstones, techniques and crafts, and the inspiration behind it? Recently, I have been using a lot of Swarovski gems, and imported gem-set peacocks in the necklaces or pendants. The only exception is tourmalines I love the soothing colour of this stone as it matches with most mood and attire choices. I have used various textures like deep engraving (naqashi), hammering and more. How long did it take you to put the collections into place? It takes about two months or more to complete each piece. It is a tedious process. You have started your eponymous brand about a year-and-a-half ago. How has the response been so far? It has been very good. Also, I now have the creative freedom to express myself, and buy stones that catch my eye or urge me to experiment. Are the pieces expensive? And who will it appeal to? Gold prices or its fluctuations generally don t affect my buyers. Since I am a designer, customers expect a high design quotient and they pay for it. Almost all pieces that I make are one-off. Do you export your jewellery? Yes, of course. My main markets are the US, the Gulf region, Far East and almost all the top retailers of India. What are your expectations from the show? I am hoping to meet new and old buyers, and I am quite positive about the response. 10
INTERVIEW OF THE DAY Nirupa Bhatt: Creating Jewellery Demand A Major Challenge NIRUPA BHATT, managing director GIA in India & the Middle East, tells Solitaire about GIA s objectives at Signature, the importance of creating demand for jewellery in a competitive market, and about the ways of empowering women professionals in the industry as president of the Women s Jewelry Association (WJA) India Chapter. Why is Signature important for the GIA and the industry in general? Signature IIJS is an important B2B show. GIA s objective is to stay connected with the industry, build brand awareness, provide visitors with direct access to GIA s services, connect with alumni and laboratory clients, and cultivate prospective students. What are your expectations for the show? Signature IIJS gives us the opportunity to meet with business owners and industry partners from across India, and better understand their business needs. Many attendees are looking for professional training for their staff. GIA education can help prepare new employees and experienced staff for future changes and demands in this competitive market. GIA is recognised worldwide as the foremost authority in gemmology and this show will allow us to directly interact with interested customers in India. How do you see the threat of undisclosed treatments and synthetic diamonds evolving in the years to come? Are there any pre-emptive actions that the industry can take to maintain consumer confidence in diamonds? GIA invests time, effort and resources in research, translating its discoveries into methods used in the lab and into education course materials. In 2014, GIA made available its DiamondCheck device to the Bharat Diamond Bourse and the GJEPC. The instrument accurately identifies natural, untreated diamonds and refers, for further analysis, stones that may have been treated or are synthetic. Apart from undisclosed treatments and synthetics, what are the biggest challenges facing the Indian gem and jewellery industry today? One major challenge for the Indian gem and jewellery industry today is creating demand. With so many lifestyle products available to choose from such as smartphones, tablets, designer clothes and accessories, holidays and new homes retailers need to stand out. The industry should focus on design and merchandising to entice consumers and lead them to a jewellery purchase. Is GIA s Mumbai grading lab able to cope with demand for its services? Are there any plans to expand and introduce new services? We have hired a significant number of staff to meet the industry s demand for GIA s services. We remain in contact with clients across the country to understand their needs and make every effort to meet them. Tell us more about the revival of the Women s Jewelry Association? What are the new initiatives that will sustain this important programme for life? We have recently seen an increase in the number of female entrepreneurs, professionals and consultants entering various levels of the gem and jewellery industry. In terms of initiatives, we plan to coordinate activities such as tours at places of interest, visits to mines, speaking engagements and events, award celebrations and much more. These activities will provide opportunities for professionals to network and build lifelong relationships. Women have come together in the industry to help one another grow and excel in their pursuits. The India chapter of the Women s Jewelry Association (WJA) is working towards bringing women together in the industry. As president of WJA India, I encourage more women to contribute to the growth of the industry by participating in these kinds of events. EXHIBITOR VOICES Hitesh Lohia Partner, Imagem Jewels Since when have you been participating in Signature? We have been participating in Signature since 2011. Why is Signature important for your company? Participating in Signature ensures a certain brand recall value. It is a strategic way to re-connect with existing customers and is an important platform to showcase new developments to the world. Signature provides an opportunity to tap and associate with the industry s decision makers. It creates an easy way for future marketing tours of the company in the targeted zone. Tell us about the new collections you will showcase at Signature 2015. This season at Signature 2015, Imagem brings a coveted jewellery edition inspired by Zardosi, yesteryear s traditional fine art. An intricate process created with dexterity in alluring 18-karat gold, the pieces are encrusted with lustrous gemstones and sparkling diamonds. The collection blends traditional values and modern art. What are your expectations for the show? Signature is expected to bring new orders for the season. We expect to explore and gain access to certain untapped zones of the Indian jewellery market. What are the current jewellery trends? Lightweight diamond studs with pearl bottoms, studs with fancy colour diamonds and use of fancy shape diamonds and illusion-set diamonds in single lines are some of the popular jewellery trends. Which gemstone will rule in 2015? Emeralds with its varied hues and similar looking stones are widely used currently and they command a good demand in all Indo-Western design themes. Over the period the show certainly has garnered popularity and the owners of jewellery business definitely look forward to visit the show. Yet the international audience is far less than expected. Do you wish to see any change/improvement in Signature 2016? No. Viral Kothari, Partner, Kosha Fine Jewels Tell us a little more about your company. Kosha was formed by four passionate jewellers who have a combined industry experience of about 40 years. The word kosha, as per Hindu Vedic philosophy, is one of the five layers of one s atma (soul). The name also represents its partners the Kotharis and Shahs. Kosha specialises in illusion and micro-pavé set jewellery. We deal in a wide range of products such as earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces. What does Signature mean for your company? We are delighted to be given an opportunity to present our exclusive products at this show. Signature will provide us a platform to not only showcase our craftsmanship but also provide us with the opportunity to strengthen existing business networks while developing new ones. What will you showcase at Signature 2015? Our product line will consist mainly of fine jewellery pieces created using micro pave, illusion and channel settings. What are your expectations, as this is your first show? We are proud to be a part of Signature. The show brings together the best talent in the industry under one roof. We look forward to establishing new contacts, gaining more business and learning from the best in the industry. Anything else that you would like to add related to the show. We would like to thank Signature for providing us with this opportunity and also extend our good wishes to our contemporaries participating in this show. We are an immensely growing industry, with a brilliant future and together, we can take our country to great heights by working unanimously. GSI Hosting Free Practical Workshop Gemological Science International (GSI) is hosting a free practical workshop every day at Booth No. AL M 25-27 in Hall 1. The workshop incorporates practical sessions, enabling participants to learn techniques and concepts to strengthen their business prospects in the industry. The workshop covers diamond identification, grading symmetry & polish, clarity grading of loose & mounted diamond, and tips on jewellery grading. 12
REGULARS AT YOUR SERVICE Online Business Matching Programme: The Online Business Matching Programme enables registered visitors to find and interact with exhibitors that match their business profile. It allows visitors to post their business-related enquiries, view the latest collections, send enquiries and schedule appointments. Managed by experienced representatives, the kiosks are located throughout the halls. IDEX Diamond Kiosk: The IDEX Diamond Kiosk lets visitors check the stocks and pricing of all the loose diamond exhibitors at the fair. Elite Club Lounge: The Elite Club Lounge, located at Hall 1 centre square, offers food and beverage services to privileged members, who can enjoy a quiet moment, network with industry colleagues and enjoy light refreshments provided by Costa Coffee. Coffee Shops & Cafeteria: Grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich at any of the outlets located throughout the halls catered by Costa Coffee, Barista Lavazza, Cafe Coffee Day, Pico and Subway Sandwiches. Additionally, the cafeteria located at the open bay near Hall 5 provides a delicious spread of vegetarian food, including meals for members of the Jain community. Shuttle Bus Services: Bus shuttles will be provided to exhibitors from the official hotels Grand Hyatt, Sofitel & Hyatt Regency to the venue at specific timings from Gate No. 2. A shuttle service will also be provided between Goregaon station and the exhibition centre. Business Centre: A full-fledged Business and Communication Centre is set up in Hall 1 for your convenience. Facilities like internet access, meeting & conference rooms, photocopying and fax are available on a chargeable basis. First Aid: Halls 1 & 5 have dedicated first-aid booths with a doctor and nurse ready to tend to any medical emergency. An ambulance will also be present at the venue outside Hall 2. In case of any medical emergency, contact Deepak Sakpal (+91-9820287631) or Reshma (+91-9820021743). Smoking Lounge: Smoking is strictly prohibited in the entire exhibition area. A smoking lounge facility has been provided at the connecting tunnel. Signature Mobile App Scan the QR code with your smartphone or tablet to receive up-to-the-minute information about the show s details, highlights, interactive floor plan, exhibitor directory and more. Editorial, Design and Production www.spentamultimedia.com Disclaimer: Material in this publication may not be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the written consent of Spenta Multimedia or the GJEPC.