IIJW 2013: A Haute Week

India is home to world’s one of most dazzling jewellery industries but till a few years ago, gems and jewellery was a traditional trade sans any glamour or oomph but the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) changed this notion and brought about a phenomenon that made the world take notice of India’s role as a design destination. That phenomenon was India International Jewellery Week (IIJW 2013). The fourth Mumbai edition and fifth over all of the India International Jewellery Week kick started on August 4, 2013, with an aplomb. Held at the Grand Hyatt in Santacruz, Mumbai the show was a well-attended affair. The event was inaugurated by honourable chief guest honorary Rajiv Shukla, Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Planning.

The five-day extravaganza gave a platform to 27 jewellery designers, brands and students of eminent gemological institutes. Each and every participant lived up to the grand stature of the IIJW and presented exquisite collections that enthralled one and all. August 8, 2013 was the last day of the show that showcased best collections of the week along with the grand finale by P.C. Jewellers. A large number of Bollywood celebrities walked the ramp this year to up the glamour quotient of the event by manifolds. Akshay Kumar, SonakshiSinha, Anil Kapoor, SushmitaSen, Amrita Rao, ShabanaAzmi, JavedAkhtar, MahimaChaudhary, JuhiChawla, Evelyn Sharma, AditiRaoHyadri, and many more sashayed the ramp.

“We are proud to announce the fourth edition of India’s most sought after jewellery show which has been an ideal platform for not only the established jewelers and designers, but also encouraged next gen designers to showcase their immense talent, craftsmanship and innovation in the field of jewellery design”, said Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC at the inauguration ceremony.

SonamKapoor, Brand Ambassador, GJEPC said, “I am very proud to be a part of IIJW which has created a benchmark for itself in the field of fashion and style since it first started. Each year the show has evolved and has been introducing exceptional jewellery creations by not only young upcoming designers but has also been consistently showcasing the exquisite design and collections by Indian leading jewellery manufacturers and designers.”

This year, the participants’ showcased the finest in design, innovation and presented the latest trends and styles. The list of the participants included Gehna, BirdhichandGhanshyamdas, Kays Jewels, Golecha’s Jewels, Charu Jewels, KashiJewellers, D.Navinchandra, D. Navinchandra, LaxmiJewellery Exports, Shringar - House of Mangalsutra, ShobhaShringarJewellers, Auro Gold, Jewel Trendz, Saboo Fine Jewels, established designers including NiravModi, Pallavi Foley, MoniAgarwal and DiptiAmisha, and over 22 budding designers from GIA, IGI, NID and IIGJ as well as Dhora by Aavriti Jain and SidharthDaspan.

IIJW 2013 was one glamorous destination with a lot of international buyers and media attending. Furthermore with the scintillating glitterati comprising celeb showstoppers and red carpet attendance, IIJW set the mercury sizzling with their presence bringing the event on an international edge. The event proved to be a huge success and despite the testing times proved its mettle.