The three-tone 18-karat gold iconic handmade necklace

The three-tone 18-karat gold iconic
handmade necklace composed of threedimensional small, medium, large butterflies
enhanced by a handmade satin, shiny and
engraved finish. By Maria de Toni
Trade FAIR
Begonia ring in gold and diamonds.
By Annamaria Cammilli
TheBoutique
Show
—
The New
VICENZAORO
Starting with the January 2015 edition of VICENZAORO, the prestigious Italian
trade fair has a new look, a new structure, and new positioning.
By Cynthia Unninayar
Ring in gold and
diamonds. By Casato
Diamond and
gold bracelet. By
Bapalal Keshavlal
A
Diamond,
onyx, and gold
Falcon ring. By
Roberto Coin
new name, a new layout,
and new timing marked the
opening of VICENZAORO
January 2015. After extensive
research into the changing scene in
terms of global jewellery production and
marketing, the strategic new directions
envisioned in 2011 by the fair’s organiser,
Fiera di Vicenza, have come to fruition.
With its new name, VICENZAORO
The Boutique Show, under this year's
theme ‘The Future. Now,’ the format
has been changed to better meet the
needs of individual buyers and to help
them navigate the exhibition. A series
of communities made up of similar
businesses was created with each
one recognisable in terms of image,
values, positioning, product type, and
distribution. A new display layout offering
Pillars in front of the entrance to The Boutique Show.
64 solitaire INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2015
new and interactive multimedia was also
created to enhance the experience of
buyers interacting with exhibitors.
“VICENZAORO The Boutique Show is
a completely new concept on the highend gold and jewellery trade show scene,”
explains Matteo Marzotto, president of
Fiera di Vicenza. “It involves an exclusive
format that supports us in meeting the
challenges of strong competition on a
worldwide scale. It also addresses the
major transformations occurring both in
sales and production systems and at the
consumer level.”
This new project arose out of the fair
management’s long-standing desire to be
of service to the industry. “We are listening
to what the industry tells us, and devising
the most effective means of moving the
market forward on both domestic and
Trade FAIR
international levels,” continues Marzotto.
“Thanks to this revolution, Fiera di
Vicenza is able to present itself as the new
tradeshow benchmark, with a strongly
inventive flair and top-level content. In so
doing, we have regained our position as an
acknowledged and authoritative leader in
the international jewellery trade.”
Held from January 23-28, and
showcasing some 1,500 exhibitors from
30 nations, the show consists of six main
“districts.” Icon (pavilions 5, 6, and 7),
Creation (pavilions 2 and 4), and Look
(pavilion 1) are home to finished jewellery.
Essence (pavilions 2 and 3) features
diamonds, coloured gemstones, and
other precious components. Expression
(pavilion 2) includes packaging, visual
merchandising, and marketing materials,
while Evolution pavilion showcases
precious metals and their processing
technologies, and includes the T-Gold
section.
The goal of these divisions is to help
buyers more easily identify their target
companies and maximize time spent
dealing with specific and relevant products
or information. The districts are connected
by “trails,” which are plotted individually
by buyers using multi-media tools,
according to their individual requirements.
“This makes the trade show experience
more manageable, efficient, effective and
successful,” adds Marzotto, “and is done
without compromising on the identity of
every single brand.”
The reaction to this new layout? The
response was overwhelmingly positive
from visitors and exhibitors alike.
“Customers can easily find us,” says Romy
Mehta of Bapalal Keshavlal, “and the new
feel of the show is very luxurious.”
“The new layout makes it easier for us
to navigate and to find what we are looking
for,” says Serge Azuelos, of Azuelos Jewelry.
“The show exceeded our initial
expectations,” notes Neeraj Nevatia of
Sunjewels. “Because its layout was new, it led
some people to explore newer companies
as they familiarised themselves with the
arrangement of stands. Hence, we had a fair
bit of unexpected visitors come by.”
Ring and pendant
in gold finishes. By
The Fifth Season
Seen at the Show
In terms of jewellery design directions
and materials, there was something for
everyone, from bronze and silver to gold
and platinum, with or without diamonds,
coloured gems, and enamel. Pieces inspired
by Nature were prevalent as were large
coloured gemstone rings. Lacy looks have
been a staple since the global economic
crisis and increased metals’ prices.
Among the many examples of beautiful
jewellery was Roberto Coin’s Falcon ring
in rose and black gold with white, brown,
and black diamonds, and onyx. “This
animal is considered the reincarnation of
divinities tied to the sky and sun, while
everyday Nature elects it as the perfect and
spectacular creature of the Earth,” describes
Coin, about this limited edition piece. Also
in tune with Nature, Annamaria Cammilli
presented a variety of floral designs in twotone gold and diamonds.
On a different note, The Fifth Season
presented its openwork pieces in various
gold finishes, while Casato offered light and
airy diamond and gold rings. Jewellery for
men could be seen at a number of stands.
A new masculine collection—“8848”—by
Baraka, “aims for the roof of the world” by
celebrating the conquest of Mount Everest
in 1953. The name comes from the height
of Mount Everest—8848 metres.
Hundreds of diamonds
and sapphires were
used in this piece paying
homage to Mondrian.
By Sunjewels.
Jewellery watch in
gold and diamonds
evoking Picasso.
By Palmiero
solitaire INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2015 65
Trade FAIR
identity, Mokoso showcased a range of
delicate and trendsetting pieces in gold,
diamonds, and gemstones. A second
launch was Roma 1947, created by
Better Silver. “1947 was an invaluable
year, because it set off the distinctive
Dolce Vita phenomenon,” explains Paolo
Bettinardi, the company’s CEO. “The
name is also a way of paying homage to
my grandparents who travelled to Rome
in 1947 right after the war. We found
an old photo of them with the date and
place on the back: Roma 1947.” An
impressive milestone was also celebrated
at the show. Bapalal Keshavlal celebrated
three-quarters of a century with a new
collection of exquisite diamond jewellery.
(Left) Corrado Facco, managing director,
FDV, joins the ribbon-cutting ceremony at
the Roma 1947 booth.
Portraying the work of artists was done
by several brands. One was the sumptuous
jewellery watch evoking Picasso by
Palmiero in gold and diamonds. Another
was a spectacular piece made of hundreds
of diamonds and sapphires that paid
homage to Mondrian, created by Sunjewels.
A number of new brands were also
launched at The Boutique Show. Among
them is a very creative and prolific brand
called Mokoso Atelier. With a strong brand
Trend Forums
As part of the show’s new high-impact
formula, four Trend Forums offer visitors
a look at consumer profiles, style and
product directions, as well as trend
forecasts for contemporary jewellery.
One of the show’s highlights was the
energetic presentation by Paola De Luca
at the Trendvision Jewellery+Forecasting
seminar on upcoming trends in the
jewellery, watch and diamond sectors.
Multi-coloured
gold and diamond
bracelet in the
Gingko collection.
By Mokoso Atelier
Pendant in vermeil and
diamonds. By Roma 1947
66 solitaire INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2015
Bracelet created with materials and
shapes that evoke the real equipment
used by the mountaineers in their
extraordinary climb of Mount Everest
on May 29, 1953. By Baraka
Social Responsibility
Not too long ago, the idea of implementing
ethical social responsibility standards was
regarded by many as merely an optional
alternative in the jewellery and gemstone
industry. Today, however, verifiable and
systematic ethical business standards
are considered to be a core requirement.
One of the exhibits in the Museo del Gioiello is a tiara from
England made of silver, gold, and diamonds from around 1880.
The entrance to the Museo del Gioiello in the
historic Basilica Palladiana.
The practical implementation of these
standards was the subject of a seminar
at The Boutique Show called ‘Social
Responsibility as the New Reality: Best
Practice Initiatives, Tools and Business
Success.’ Organised by CIBJO, the World
Jewellery Confederation, along with
the Fiera di Vicenza, it was held within
the framework of their association with
the United Nation's Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC), which is
dedicated to developing educational
programmes that promote Corporate
Social Responsibility and sustainability in
the international jewellery and gemstone
sectors.
British jeweller Greg Valerio
highlighted the new ethical realities for
jewellers and suppliers, as well as practical
steps that businesses can take to become
leading “best practice” companies. “Over
the last 10 years, the mining and jewellery
trades have come under increasing ethical
scrutiny from campaign organisations,
governments, and voluntary civil society
movements,” he commented. “Business
as usual for jewellers is now a thing of
the past.”
Legal expert Donald Feaver
discussed the new emerging era of Social
Responsibility and the new breed of
leaders and their tools being used to
promote social responsibility. “Traditional
paper-based ‘certification’ approaches
are fast becoming tools of the old era,”
he explains.
Jewellery Museum
The Fiera di Vicenza has been busy in
related domains as well. In partnership
with the Vicenza Municipality, the
Fiera recently launched the Museo del
Gioiello, dedicated to jewellery. Housed
in the historic 16th century Basilica
Palladiana—a UNESCO World Heritage
Site since 1994—in the heart of the old
town of Vicenza, it is the first museum of
its kind in Italy. Spread over 410 square
metres, it consists of nine exhibition
rooms with different themes, showcasing
some 400 pieces of jewellery from
different periods and different cultures.
68 solitaire INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2015
Trade FAIR
Alba Cappellieri (left), Licia Mattioli (third from left) with Matteo Marzotto, president of FDV.
“The Museum is an extraordinary
project that rewards and capitalizes on
the cultural identity of this area and the
jewellery industry,” explains Marzotto.
“This initiative is entirely consistent with
the mission of the Fiera di Vicenza—to
be an exhibition provider committed to
promoting ‘Well Done in Italy’ around
the world.”
Initiatives
A new and prestigious partnership for
Fiera di Vicenza was revealed today,
during the show, following an agreement
between the trade show organiser and the
Women’s Jewellery Association - Italy, the
local chapter of the leading organisation
for women in the jewellery sector, which
was founded in 1976 in the United States
and has been active in Italy since 2010.
The agreement was signed by
Matteo Marzotto and Licia Mattioli,
outgoing president of Women’s Jewellery
Association - Italy and president of
Federorafi (the Italian goldsmith and
silversmith association).
The collaboration will help WJA
Italy’s members in making useful
contacts to support and develop
their businesses, both nationally and
internationally. In order to promote
WJA Italy’s values and activities, Fiera
di Vicenza will formulate a marketing
plan, including the creation of a dedicated
advertising campaign involving social
media, the web and promotion through
the VO+ magazine. The association will
also be promoted at exhibitors’ stands
during VICENZAORO January.
Alba Cappellieri, professor in Jewellery
Design at the Milan Polytechnic and the
director of the Vicenza Museo del Gioiello
(Jewellery Museum), was announced the
new president of the Women’s Jewelry
Association - Italy.
The Hong Kong Trade Development
Council (HKTDC) and Fiera di Vicenza
today renewed their cooperation agreement
to promote the jewellery trade. The signing
ceremony took place during the show, thus
paving the way for a strong Italian presence
at the upcoming HKTDC Hong Kong
International Jewellery Show 2015.
With the agreement signed last year
with the Dubai World Trade Centre
(DWTC), Fiera di Vicenza is reinforcing its
status in the market as a major international
player, with a presence in the trade’s key
reference markets. The first edition of
VICENZAORO Dubai is just around the
corner. It will take place in Dubai, April 2326, 2015, and visitors to VICENZAORO
January will be provided with several
previews and market insights that reinforce
Dubai’s position as the undisputed
jewellery capital in the Arabian Gulf. n
The Museum is an
extraordinary project
that rewards and
capitalizes on the
cultural identity of this
area and the jewellery
industry,” explains
Marzotto. “This initiative
is entirely consistent
with the mission of the
Fiera di Vicenza—to be
an exhibition provider
committed to promoting
‘Well Done in Italy’
around the world.”
solitaire INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2015 69