Signature Off To A Confident Start

FAST FACTS: 8th Edition | Exhibitors 550+ | Booths 1,100 + | Visitors 10,000+
The
DAY 2
Saturday 21st February, 2015
BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLITAIRE INTERNATIONAL FOR THE GJEPC
Signature Off To A Confident Start
S
ignature 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
I
n 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
GOLDEN GLORY
The Golden Era of Indian Cinema
Mfg. Sponsor: Jewel
Goldi (India), Mumbai
COLOURAMA
The Masala Movies Era
Film Inspiration:
Alam-Ara
1913-1930
WINNER
SWATI KADAM,
SURAT
KPS Sanghvi Jewels
Pvt. Ltd., Surat
Film Inspiration:
Raja Harishchandra
SECOND RUNNER-UP
SONI AMIN,
JAIPUR
Mfg. Sponsor: Bherumal
Shamandas, Mumbai
Film Inspiration:
Devdas
2
THE AVANT-GARDE
The Era of Global Reach
ARTISAN AWARDS
WINNER
FIRST RUNNER-UP
MEGHNA BAG,
THANE
NATASHA ADNANI,
MUMBAI
Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt Ltd.,
Mumbai
MONOCHROMATIC
GOLDEN GLORY
MAGIC
Film Inspiration:
The Silent
to the Talkies
An Evening
inera
Paris
THE AVANT-GARDE
COLOURAMA
Mfg. Sponsor:
Masala Movies Era
Fusions,The
Mumbai
The Golden Era of Indian Cinema
1940s-1960s
The Era of Global Reach
Film Inspiration:
An Evening in Paris
SECOND RUNNER-UP
KOSHA SHAH,
MUMBAI
Shilpi Jewellers, Mumbai
Film Inspiration:
Love in Tokyo
FIRST RUNNER-UP
QUEETA RAWAT,
DELHI
LORY
COLOURAMA
The Masala Movies Era
an Cinema
THE AVANT-GARDE
The Era of Global Reach
1970s-1990s
Titan Company Ltd,
New Delhi
Film Inspiration:
Sholay
WINNER
SECOND RUNNER-UP
SUBHANKAR
BHOWMICK, MUMBAI
SUNITA SHEKHAWAT,
JAIPUR
Mfg. Sponsor:
Swarnsarita Jewellers
Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
Midas Signature Jewellery
Pvt. Ltd., Rajasthan
Film Inspiration:
Sholay
Film Inspiration:
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
GOLDEN GLORY
The Golden Era of Indian Cinema
COLOURAMA
The Masala Movies Era
THE AVANT-GARDE
The Era of Global Reach
2000 Onwards
WINNER
SHRUTIKA PATANKAR,
MUMBAI
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Fabulous Unrounds,
Mumbai
Film Inspiration:
Black
FIRST RUNNER-UP
HIMANI HARISH,
NOIDA
Mfg. Sponsor:
KGK Creation India Pvt. Ltd.,
Mumbai
Film Inspiration: Queen
4
ZOHARA MOORTHY,
MUMBAI
Film Inspiration:
Queen
BRAND WATCH
Design Cues
S
ama 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
K
Wristwear
nown 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
S
awansukha 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
I
ndigo 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
M
yra 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
G
old 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
EXHIBITOR VOICES
Hitesh Lohia
Viral Kothari,
Since when have you been participating in Signature?
We have been participating in Signature since 2011.
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.
Partner, Imagem Jewels
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.
12
Partner, Kosha Fine Jewels
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.
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.
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