Emirati student’s first ever creation wins Jewellery Design Award
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A host of global jewellery designers were awarded with some of the international industry’s most prestigious titles at last night’s sixth Jewellery Design Awards.
Attracting both amateur and professional designers, nine talented individuals were recognised and rewarded for excellence in the field of jewellery design, innovation and creativity at a glittering ceremony at The Address Montgomerie Dubai.
With entries from more than 350 local, regional and international designers, the winners walked away with trophies, certificates and prizes awarded by GIA Middle East, the world’s foremost authority in gemology.
Prototypes of all the winning pieces are displayed in the awards gallery in Hall 4 at Dubai International Jewellery Week, the Middle East’s most influential jewellery event, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until December 6.
‘The Emirati Jewellery Designer of the Year Award’ went to student Hind Yousif Al Bloushi, for her ‘Star of Arabia’ necklace. Commenting on her win, she said: “I have won awards before in paintings and clay but this is the first time for me in the jewellery industry. I am thrilled. This is a massive step for me.
“It has been hard because I am a beginner and jewellery designs needs a lot of patience and detail. Winning this award has changed my life, it has made me believe in myself more and given me the confidence I need for my future.”
In the same category, Japanese amateur designer, Kiyoaki Tashiro, picked up ‘The Innovative Jewellery Design Award’ for his silver and diamond circle necklace ‘My Childhood Memory’ while the ‘Arabic Influenced Jewellery Design Award’ was won by Russia’s Liubov Klivitkina for her blue and purple necklace , titled ‘Equilibrium’.
Tashiro said: “I never expected to win as this was the first time I have ever participated in an international competition. I’m so honoured to receive the award. It really is a turning point in my career.”
French designer, Cannelle Poncin Germain, retained the ‘Asian/Far East Influenced Jewellery Design Award’ for the second year running in this year’s emerging talent category, with her silver and diamond Chrysanthemum piece.
Designers from 23 different countries entered the awards this year, with the six professional judges insisting judging the entries had been harder than ever.
Rizwan Ali Mahmood, Jewellery Specialist and one of the judges from this year’s Jewellery Design Awards said: “I was really impressed with the entries, both in terms of the quantity of participation and the overall standard of design.
“There are respected, talented, hard-working jewellery designers right across the industry and global Awards that recognise the value of individuals’ work have an important role to play in the commercial market.
“It is not easy to produce something new, innovative and beautiful. One thing is very clear: colours are making a comeback in the jewellery industry.”
Recognising the best use of creativity and technological know-how in the Professional category, ‘The CAD/CAM Technology Award’ was awarded to UAE-based designer Anupreet Kaur from Damas for her gold ‘I love Allah’ pendant.
In the Professional Designers category, the ‘Bridal Jewellery Set’ was won for the second year by L’zaurde Jewellery Group in the Egypt office for Sanat Karmakar’s ‘Toss the bouquet’ design. A new addition to last year’s Professional category, the ‘The Futuristic Jewellery Design Award’ was retained this year by Dhanushi Mekhala Aluthwala, for her solar system inspired ‘Planetary Alignment’ pieces which can be worn as a necklace, choker and bracelet, winning The ‘Objet D’Art Award’ category for Joel Arena La Madrid’s ‘Whirlpool of Flames’ piece.
A new addition to this year’s awards, ‘The Festive-Inspired Jewellery Design Award’ – which highlights the creativity for designing jewellery inspired by various festivities – was awarded to India’s Pradeep Maurya for his ‘The Moon of Eid’ pendant Necklace.
The increasingly popular competition has become a trademark of the four-day show, which has attracted thousands of visitors to DWTC.
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, organiser of Dubai International Jewellery Week, said: “This region is full of gifted amateur and professional designers and it is important to provide a platform which showcases their unique talents amongst some of the world’s leading designers.”
The prestigious Dubai International Jewellery week, located in Halls 1-4 of DWTC, will draw to a close on Saturday 6 December at 10pm.