Design Connect 2019, the first of its kind initiative by the Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) and Women’s Jewellery Association – India (WJA India), was inaugurated last month. The aim was to create a platform to help connect manufacturers and retailers with jewellery designers. The ‘career fair’ is a much-needed step for the future growth of the industry.
Design Connect 2019, organised by the GJSCI and WJA India, attracted more than 35 jewellery manufacturers and retailers, who got a chance to meet over 100 jewellery designers to explore freelance and job opportunities.
Held at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai, on June 26th, the event began with an interesting seminar titled ‘Designers – Path to Success’, which was moderated by Nirupa Bhatt, president, WJA – India Chapter. The panellists included Poonam Soni, jewellery designer, Vaishali Banerjee, managing director, Platinum Guild India, Aftab Bandukwala, director, V-Design Architectural Solutions, and Colin Shah, vice chairman, GJEPC and managing director, Kama Schachter.
The panellists shared insights on how jewellery designers can seek inspiration, how they need to build an understanding of jewellery manufacturing techniques, how they need to identify trends, build stories and come up with exciting designs to meet consumers’ demands.
Vaishali Banerjee was of the view that designers should understand the occasion for which a piece was being designed keeping in mind the business realities. “Ultimately, the design is meant to tempt consumers which will lead to acquisition,” she noted. The panellists agreed that it was also important to understand the basic manufacturing techniques.
Colin Shah stated that while it was important to have an experienced cadre, it was equally important to have freshers, to whom intensive training must be given in all departments before they start designing. “We, at Kama Schachter, find a few bright sparks every year,” he said, adding that for budding designers it was important to attend the two major shows organised by the GJEPC – IIJS Premier and IIJS Signature –
to get ideas and network with manufacturers. He mentioned that the GJEPC had recently released Aatman — Inspirations 2020 and he urged the designers to have a look at the comprehensive guide on design directions.
Poonam Soni emphasised that designers should know their core strengths and accordingly build a fabulous portfolio to help market themselves. “Manufacturers learn from interns and interns gain a lot of insight from them in order to give life to a particular design. It is a two-way process.”
Aftab Bandukwala said that designing in jewellery is now in an exciting phase. “I wish we could also emulate what the gem and jewellery industry is doing for upcoming designers,” he stated.
In his short address, Anantpadmanaban, chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), pointed out that “it was a great opportunity for all the designers to showcase their talent. It is indeed the right time for corporate and brands to connect with designers. It is a wake-up call for the industry to produce different and unique products. I wish we also have a similar workshop and event for karigars. We need to invite corporates to upskill and upgrade the lives of these skilled artisans. We all have to work towards it or else we will not be able to double our exports.”
Designers Indra Jadwani and Hetal Vakil, IIGJ faculty Sushma Sawant and Swati Sangekar, and GIA instructor Sajiri Barve mentored the designers – both freshers and experienced – and helped them with career counselling and how to prepare portfolios.
Sanjay Kothari, chairman, GJSCI, in his concluding remarks, noted, “I believe in fresh talent and encouraging them. With a platform like Design Connect, talented jewellery designers will now have access to working opportunities with jewellery manufacturers and retailers. Looking at the positive response and the growing need, GJSCI is planning to conduct Design Connect in other cities too. Events of such kind for job seekers would also be organised for other segments of the gem and jewellery industry in the future,” he added. “I would like to thank GJEPC, GJC, IBJA and GIA for inviting their members and students to the event. I’d also like to thank all the participants for making Design Connect a success.”
Bhatt added, “It is a unique platform for both freshers and experienced jewellery designers. They were excited to meet manufacturers and retailers, and seek opportunities to collaborate. This has the potential to present opportunities for the designers, manufacturers and retailers to collectively raise the consumer desirability for purchasing jewellery.”
Recruiting companies at Design Connect were extremely pleased with the quality of the designers and complimented GJSCI and WJA India for the event. “A great initiative and a platform for connecting with young designers,” said Pradnya Mhaske, design and merchandising head, CaratLane.
Even the designers felt that Design Connect provided access to many companies in one place. Shireen’s Creazione’s Soni Amin, a WJA member, said, “It’s great to witness collaboration among manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers interacting with budding as well as established designers.”
A jewellery design fresher, Shital Anand, said, “It’s a unique initiative and we’ve got a great amount of exposure meeting these companies. Even the mentoring sessions were helpful.”
Design Connect is supported by GIA (Gemological Institute of America), Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) and Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).