Mumbai: After completion of four successful years, the 5th edition of India International Jewellery Week, popularly known as IIJW, was inaugurated this morning in Mumbai by Mrs. Rashmi Thackeray. Present at the inauguration were Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Mr. Pankaj Parekh, Vice Chairman of GJEPC and other degnitories.
Conceived and conceptualized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, IIJW is Asia’s first jewellery week. Spread over four glittering days, IIJW features renowned designers and jewellery houses of India who showcase the vast set of skills and talent that India has in the design and production of exquisitely crafted jewellery. Leading Indian models sashay down the ramp, adorned with these exclusive and glittering creations at shows choreographed by ace choreographers in a glamorous setting that is frequented by celebrities, high profile clientele, dignitaries and the who’s who of society.
Comprising of eight shows per day over the period of four days, each designer showcases exquisite jewellery creations for 20 minutes on the ramp followed by media interaction with designers & celebrities, networking with buyers, etc.
Each show is attended by more than 300 special guests. Spotlight on Designing Talent Over the years, leading Indian retail houses/ designers have chosen the IIJW platform to showcase their proficiency in jewellery designing. This year too, retail giants like Gitanjali, Ganjam, Emerald and Saboo and renowned designers like Farah Khan, Vijay Golecha, Sumit Sawhney and Dipti Amisha are few of the leading names who will be part of this trend-setting show.
IIJW not only provides a platform to established designers, it also serves as an impressive debut stage for upcoming talent. With institutes like IIGJ, NID & IGI presenting the skills of their students, along with independent new designers, IIJW showcases the enormous potential of the budding talent in this country.
Glamorous Extravaganza:
If the diamonds, rubies and emeralds glitter on the stage, Bollywood stars of the silver screen and TV artists also dazzle on the catwalk. In past years, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Konkana Sen Sharma, Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu, Soha Ali Khan, Lara Dutta, Kangana Ranaut and Kalki Koechin have set the ramp ablaze.
SONAM KAPOOR, the IIJW brand ambassador, startled the audience adorned with the exclusive piece by House of Boucheron. While Sonam Kapoor continued with her charm in 2012 and 2013, Madhuri Dixit, Sushmita Sen, Yami Gautam, Chirangdha Singh and Juhi Chawla stunned the audience with their grace at this unique platform.
Extending the popular concept, last year IIJW was launched at New Delhi. The objective of the IIJW New Delhi is to provide retailers, manufacturers and designers from Northern India with their own exclusive platform to showcase their collections. It also aims to bring the show closer to the elite Delhi society. This is based on the popularity and patronage that the show has been receiving from participants and audience of the region.
