As one stepped into Hall 6, a breathtaking sight greeted the visitor. Fanned out in front, accordion-like was a long row of open stalls, sparkling – not just with the jewellery on display, but with a palpable fizz of excitement.

This was the special Design Gallery for Designers and Women Entrepreneurs accommodated back to back. This year the GJEPC had introduced the new concept of providing space at concessional rates to budding designers and women entrepreneurs who had found it difficult in past years to participate in the IIJS, given the size of their company (small) and the expenditure involved (large) in taking general category stalls and participating in the fair. The GJEPC was assisted by the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) led by Nirupa Bhatt, GIA’s Managing Director for India & the Middle East in putting the gallery together.

 “I am so happy that we designers have been given this opportunity at last,” exclaimed Kapila Bhutta, of Joolriefusion, her eyes shining with excitement. “And I am also thrilled with the response.” 

Her sentiments were echoed more or less in a similar tone by all designers as one made one’s way down the row of stalls. While one saw and discussed the various designs, it is not possible to go into the collections or even highlights of each of the participants in this section.

Suffice it to say that it was most refreshing to see the absolute plethora of talent on display. Here, there was not a tired churning out of the same old, same old. Each designer had something unique to offer. Lines, material, textures, settings, colours, concepts, there was a profusion of all this and more.

The designers included both men and women; as well as new entrants and stalwarts. So if one renewed acquaintance with Rosily (Paul) Vadakkel whom one had seen as a young design graduate winning her first award (and who went on to win several more), more than two decades back; one also saw young designers like Aastha Kochar who were just starting out on their journey. Aastha’s jewellery was also chosen for an award which was to be given to her at the HKTDC fair, which has now been postponed. 

In the women entrepreneurs’ side, there is an assortment of jewellers too. From one working with cubic zirconia and silver, another making jewellery with only Swarovski stones, to those using diamonds and precious stones. It was elevating to see that all kinds of entrepreneurs had found a place.

Monica Kapur, who deals in precious jewellery, and was the winner of the Women Entrepreneur of the Year at GJEPC’s India Gem and Jewellery Awards (IGJA) two years ago, also stated emphatically: “We have won so many design competitions, but never got the chance to project ourselves. We have been asking the Council to provide us a platform for some time, and now it has finally happened.”

Clearly, it was an idea whose time had come. It is an initiative bound to foster design talent and going by the response one witnessed as well as was told of, the jewellery industry has also given it a thumbs up.