First offline show a grand success

Owing to the pandemic, buyers were not able to touch and feel jewellery before making buying decisions and as a result, actual buying had become considerably restricted. This show was truly grand in the sense of its location, setting and holiday-like atmosphere and its offline nature allowed buyers to touch jewellery and gave them the real feel of the jewellery, which invariably led to more buying. Thus, exhibitors and buyers both were extremely pleased with their experience at Couture India Holiday Edition.The show was inaugurated on March 19 in the midst of top retailers: IshuDatwani of Anmol; Himanshu Shekhar, Manoharlal Jewellers, Pankaj Khurana, Khurana Jewellery HJewellers, Ashish Pethe, Waman Hari PetheJewellers, Suhas M S, Bhima Jewellery, Mansukh Kothari, VasupatiJewellers, along with organisers Alok Kala and Arpit Kala.

VITAL STATS

Couture India Holiday Edition 2021

Buyers: 211 in three days

Meetings: 1786 meetings were conducted in three days by hosted buyers

A well curated show

Anand Prakash of Abhushan Jewellers, Agra said, “This was the first offline show of this grand scale which brought together choicest of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers from across India and gave them an opportunity to trade in some select jewellery. It was a great experience. With the wedding season coming up, this show was indeed timely and gave us an excellent glimpse of what is on offer and thereby we can stock up on these really mind-boggling designs. The show was really well curated. I would like to see a Delhi Edition of this show as well.”

Speaking about their experience, exhibitors at the show -- Suken and Hema Shah of Sparsh Jewellers said, “Coming here was a fantastic experience a lot of buyers came forth and they all came with their families, as the destination was indeed attractive – everyone was enjoying the show and doing business. we are very happy with turnout. They should have one exhibition at Goa every year. We had presented Nature-based designs and we tried to bring the best in contemporary designs as well.”

This year’s show was truly different. Colour stones will be in great demand this year – “I was happy to see the choicest of jadau, polki and diamond sets. It was truly exciting to see the attractive coloured jewellery. We could actually pick up the pieces and womenfolk to try them on before making buying decisions,” recalls Vikram Talwar, Talwarsons Jewellers, Chandigarh.

Excellent planning and implementation

While planning Couture IndiaHoliday Edition 2021, the organisers gave highest importance to selecting limited exhibitors and retailers, all of whom had been pre-approved. They had to do this because of the pandemic and in order to ensure business-to-business deals being transacted. “We retained our core concept of the show but moved the show to a safer city Goa, where exhibitors and visitors could enjoy and do business,” explains Arpit Kala organizer of the show. Buyers and exhibitors resided at the same venue where the exhibition was being held, this ensured maximum convenience and perfect business cum holiday environment. 

Show was indeed grand

Couture show has always been great. “This time it was even more grand – we saw some very good and unique designs. The antique jewellery collection was superb and we really saw some exquisite designs. We could feel the jewellery before buying. I was very happy to be there,” said Anil Kataria, DP Jewellers, Indore.

Couture Show always brings in a different experience every year. Says Dheeraj Menda of Studio Rêves, Mumbai, “It has a unique format, it has limited number of manufacturers and select retailers from across India – so the focus on trade is always retained. It is not like other shows where thousands of products are displayed, and multiple number of customers are flocking every booth with very few inquiries really materializing. Here the keen focus ensures short and sweet format, well-meaning and really interested clients almost all of whom want to do business with you.”

The hallmark of Couture Shows has always been insightful curating and getting select, jewellers together, and offering some outstanding jewellery. Couture has made a name for being arguably one of best curated shows across the world.
 
Couture has always been a special show

According to Vikas Mehta of Achal Jewels, “Couture has always been a special show,  because we have selected suppliers and buyers and trade is quite focused the show is setup in a luxurious setting. Buyers could touch and feel the jewellery and that made a huge impact, as over the past year we only had virtual shows and buyers could not touch and feel the goods which prevented them from buying what they really wanted. The climate here was good and overall our experience has been very good.” 

All in all, the show concluded -- opening the floodgates of gems and jewellery trade once again, this time regardless of the pandemic and amidst some truly exquisite range of products traded in a safe and hygienic manner.