Business
The 11th Annual Gemfields and Nazraana Retail Jeweller India Awards 2015 Premieres India’s Top 200 Nominated Designs Exhibiting the Creative Brilliance of India’s Elite Jewellers
“These awards were launched at a time when the industry was opening up to the new opportunities of organized retailing. Today, in the context of the transforming consumer landscape, the awards have greater relevance. To keep pace with it, jewellery retailers are reimaging design and making it more versatile and cosmopolitan. These awards bear testimony to the industry’s growing standards of design brilliance catering to the modern consumer’s need for differentiation and uniqueness,” said Soma Bhatta, Editor, The Retail Jeweller.
After two rigorous rounds of selection over 200 world class-precious jewellery designs across 12 categories including 4 vivah and 8 non-vivah jewellery categories have come in from across India. The pieces displayed at the ‘Grand Jury Meet’ have been screened through a rigorous 2-tier selection process that includes initial screening (for adherence to entry guidelines) by IMRB, process auditors for the awards, followed by an online judging by the jury.
The Jury Panel included Neha Dhupia (Actress), Michelle Poonawalla (Director, Poonawalla Group of Engineering Companies), Rouble Nagi (Artist Muralist), Ananya Banerjee (Artist), Vaishali Banerjee (Managing Director, Platinum Guild India), Shazia Khan (Vice President & Strategic Planning Director, JWT), Radha Kapoor (Founder & Executive Director, Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) and Ashit Kukian (President & COO, Radio City 91.1 FM).
Representing a diverse group of people, distinguished professionals, all of whom are experts and leaders in their independent fields, the eclectic mix draws considerable collective wisdom and experience from across genres that have strong synergies with the jewellery industry.
“It’s an honor to be associated with the oldest and the most credible industry awards. Each year, the Awards set new benchmark in the design standards,” says Neha Dhupia, Actress.
“I was overwhelmed with the wide variety of designs, ranges and the quality of the craftsmanship and creativity in India which unfolded before me last year. This year also, it has lived up to my expectations,” says Michelle Poonawalla, Director, Poonawalla Group of Engineering Companies.
“Judging at the Retail Jeweller India Awards was a great opportunity for me to assess beauty, excellence and innovation of some exquisite jewellery pieces,” says Ananya Banerjee, Artist.
“At the Grand Jury Meet, I was extremely impressed with the artistic value and craftsmanship in the shortlisted designs, “says Rouble Nagi, Artist & Muralist.
“The Retail Jeweller India Awards reiterates the importance of achieving design excellence. I was looking forward to some innovative, forward thinking design this year from the participants and I was pleasantly surprised,” says Vaishali Banerjee, Managing Director, Platinum Guild India.
“The touch-and-feel aspect has added precision to our role as jury member,” says Radha Kapoor, Founder & Executive Director, Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI).
“The Awards have proven its versatility again this year by bringing in new trends,” says Shazia Khan, Vice President & Strategic Planning Director, JWT.
“This year Awards have shown that the industry is continuing its progress in terms of innovation,” says Ashit Kukian, President & COO, Radio City 91.1 FM.
On this special occasion, Vikram Merchant, Manager, India Representative Office, Diamond Sales & Marketing, Rio Tinto said, “The Retail Jeweller India Awards has successfully set the benchmark of design excellence in the industry by cultivating the culture of design innovation.”
“Banking on transparent, professional and detailed judging process, the Retail Jeweller India Awards has established itself as the most cherished industry benchmark. We are very proud of our association with this prestigious platform,” says Rupak Sen, Regional Marketing Director – Asia, Gemfields.
“The Retail Jeweller India Awards commands credibility of the highest level in the industry and retailers takes pride in showcasing their creative prowess in design and retail and marketing concepts at this prestigious arena,” says Piyush Patel, Director, Dharmanandan Diamonds.
“Jewellery is embedded in our culture. The challenge is to keep it relevant to a demographic that is largely youth. In the recent past, we have seen the emergence of new metal, technologies and trends. It is only through design we can bind these elements to tell a story. The design idea and story-telling will play a central role in engaging with these young audiences. Platforms such as The Retail Jeweller India Awards both inspire and challenge designers to create meaningful stories,” says Vaishali Banerjee, Managing Director, Platinum Guild India.
The 11th Gemfields and Nazraana Retail Jeweller India Awards 2015 (Jewellery categories):
- Diamond Jewellery of the Year
- Diamond Vivah Jewellery of the Year
- Gold Jewellery of the Year
- Gold Vivah Jewellery of the Year
- Couture Jewellery of the Year
- Colored Gemstone Jewellery of the Year
- Innovative Jewellery of the Year
- Heritage Jewellery of the Year
- Platinum Jewellery of the Year
- Jewellery Designer of the Year
- Best Accessory of the Year
- Colored Gemstone Vivah Jewellery of the Year
Retail & Marketing Categories:
- Print Campaign of the Year
- 360 Marketing campaign of the Year
- TV Campaign of the Year
- Radio Campaign of the Year
- Retail Promotion of the Year
- New Showroom or Retail Transformation of the Year