Set in scenic Goa, Couture India Show 2022 galvanized the gems and jewellery industry into action. Held at the Taj Convention Centre at Goa’s scenic Donna Paula, this is the India’s premiere, and solitary, highjewellery, by-invitation-only Boutique Show. Launched on March 14, Couture India Show hosted the crème de la crème jewellery brands, sensational designers and high-end jewellery connoisseurs showcasing their exceptional for select buyers to culminate with a grand finale on March 16. Fifty-four handpicked, high-end couture jewellery houses of repute from across the nation presenting their art across an array of five special displays screening the artsy and traditionally handmade open Polki and Jadau jewellery, designer couture jewellery and high-end designer or couture diamond jewellery by the finest craftsmen in the industry.

Evening pleasures were another story altogether. The first party sponsored by Achal Jewels and JB & Brothers at the Sunset Lawns, Cedade Goa was themed ‘Colours in the Woods’ and every one present had to wear the colour of their favourite gemstone. Live music followed by an unending unplugged session went on till the wee hours of morning. Couture India Show’s second evening regalia was at the Taj, Rooftop, sponsored by Achal Jewels and JJS. Themed ‘Night Under the Stars’ the evening had two bands perform live and guests dressed up in shades of white rocked the night away.

INAUGURAL HIGH
At the dazzling inauguration ceremony industry dignitaries including Anand Shah, Propreitor at Anand Shah, GR Anand Ananthapadmanabhan, Co-Managing Director, GRT Group, Princeson Jose, Chairman and Managing Director at Prince Gold and Diamonds, Alok Kala, Publisher, Indian Jeweller, and Arpit Kala, Co-publisher, Indian Jeweller together lit the inaugural lamp followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony. Arpit Kala, the organizer of the show, said, “I am very happy to welcome our guests to Couture India Show 2022. The event is being held at a critical time – the gems and jewellery industry is going through a phase of uncertainty, with the prices of gold and diamonds going up sharply. While this poses a challenge, it also re-affirms the faith of people in these precious commodities, particularly gold, as coveted assets. I am positive that the event will prove to be a very good opportunity for buyers to re-stock their supplies and do some active networking.”

Ananthapadmanabhan, Co-Managing Director, GRT Jewellers attended the event and confessed, “This is my first time at the Couture Show. Somehow we have always avoided this, however, somehow, in my all humility, we thought that this is too small or two focused, I don’t want you to get that wrong, but we always thought this is not the place for us. But I am pleasantly surprised and very happy that we came here. I would like to describe this event in three powerful words: ‘Design’, ‘Wow’ and ‘Learning.’ This is what we want to improve upon, with God’s grace who does not want big customers. So here is something we all have to learn and looking forward to attending many more Couture shows.”

The jewellery market is volatile and material rates are both acting like the share market! Also, just because design alone cannot afford to be the only USP, one needs to include one’s PR, sales, CSR, Customer relationship and other factors into account, “kyuki bhaav se nahi, bhavnaon se product bikta hai.” ROHIT KOTHARI MD, Achal Jewels

We have been part of the Couture India Show since it was launched. We have seen many years of exclusive business opportunities in the right ambience and thus we are back every year. We will give a full 10 out of 10 for the show. We have found your service impeccable and everything about the show is a big, ‘WOW.’ The best part of the show is that it has a fantastic networking platform where we interact directly with the client.ANIL PATEL Partner and Founder, Enshine, Surat

Vatsal Shah Owner at JB & Brothers said that the show was a brilliant experience. “Couture India Show 2022 is different in its quality. The quality of the show is a major distinguishing factor and that’s what gives Couture India the upper hand above other shows. We appreciate the team’s efforts towards making this show buyer focussed. We have found the buyer to be much focused and with specific needs unlike other events where there is a lot of waste of time and energy. I can see the Couture India team has worked hard towards creating an experience par excellence as always. The show has been among the best in the industry with the presence of some of the biggest names in the trade. That was indeed a good opportunity created for us to showcase our products. To actually see a response about this event, you must look at the smiling and content faces at my booth. We are seriously having fun and happily satisfied with this event.”

Shweta Tatiwala, Creative Head at Tatiwala’s Gehna from Jaipur was among the first-timers at the event. An evidently happy and excited Shweta said, “This is my first visit to the Couture India Show and I am finding it totally relaxed and organized. Entertainment events have been planned to occupy the evenings. The concept of mixing business with fun is such a wonderful concept. As I travel and have experienced other shows, I personally have found Couture India as one of the most premium shows of India where buyers and sellers, collaborate with each other at an intimacy level that is uncommon. Here you will not find random quantity rather you will find focussed quality. Buyers can pick and choose exactly what their clients are looking for. This is a wonderful show with elite exhibitors and customers under one roof, and the ideal location with the right ambience to conduct business conveniently.” Naman Kala, Director at Kalaji Jewellery says “Couture India Show is always curated in a very different way than any other shows! That is what makes it different and appealing and that is what we love about the show! It has very limited premium sellers, so every seller or exhibitor gets an opportunity to showcase their USP to the right retailer. There are very limited retailers here, but everyone is a quality buyer, and every buyer who is entering our booth is going to make a purchase, and you know that, so you are not wasting your time. Every year we see the retailers getting better and better and the show gets better and bigger and that is what we love about the show.

There are no complaints from the show. Rohit Kothari, MD of Achal Jewels said the jewellery market and material rates are both acting like the share market! Also, just because design alone cannot afford to be the only USP, one needs to include one’s public relationship, ones sales teams, the customer services one offers into account, “kyuki bhaav se nahi, bhavnaon se product bikta hai.” Divyesh Mehta, proprietor at Laxmi Jewellery states that he has found excellent buyers at Couture India Show. “I am impressed with the excellent quality of handpicked highend jewellery buyers. The buyers, as I  collections. They have the wedding season as their target and they are here to shop mostly for high-end jewellery for occasions like nuptials and marriages. Even if the customer is small they have only the wedding season as the target for purchase. That is the specific focus of buyers at the show. This event is a no compromise show.” Anil Patel, owner, Surat-based Enshine, reveals that they have been part of the event since its inception. “We have been part of the Couture India Show since it was launched. We have seen many years of exclusive business opportunities in the right ambience and thus we are back every year. We will give a full 10 out of 10 for the show. We have found your service impeccable and everything about the show is a big, ‘WOW.’ The best part of the show is that it has a fantastic networking platform where we interact directly with the client.

Diamonds are a woman’s best friend. Since we are solely and intimately involved with solitaire and diamonds, we can tell you that a diamond can speak volumes where you are caught for words! Solitaires are hot selling throughout the year and especially during courtship season. Engagement rings for both girls and boys are in great demand. Youth love to show off their solitaires. Earlier couples preferred a simple round shape, but now everyone wants something unique, different and uncommon. That’s why youngsters are asking for newer designs, newer shapes and innovation. That is my point of view.’

Suken Shah, Proprietor of House of Sparsh says that Couture India is the best platform that I have ever come across for business purposes. “We sit, we see, we scrutinize, and without any hesitation we select. The best part is that the buyer and exhibitor understand each other and their queries. The buyers are genuine and if they want to buy, they will sit to contemplate and definitely buy, and if they already have the same stock, they will not waste time of either party. They are focused about their needs, which is very good. There are certain big exhibitions like IIJS or Signature, where one cannot reach every corner of the show. At this event on the other hand, we are able to reach out to every offer and are able to make conscious and well informed decisions, not in a hurry but in a relaxed manner. This is the best show for the industry, for genuine exhibitors and serious buyers.” Vijay Mukim owner of Colourful Gems informed that this was their first time at the event. ‘‘Couture India Show is good show and we have participated for the first time. The best part of the show is that the buyers are serious and no one is here to simply pass time. They want to see the stock and understand the available options to conduct better business. So the show is good.’’

We have found excellent buyers at Couture India Show. I am impressed with an excellent quality of handpicked high-end jewellery buyers. The buyers, as I notice, are only shopping for wedding collections. They have the wedding season as their target and they are here to shop mostly for high-end jewellery for occasions like nuptials and marriages. Even if the customer is small they have only the wedding season as the target for purchase. That is the specific focus of buyers at the show. This event is a no compromise show.

SALES & DESIGN TRENDS
There was a marked trend at the show in selection of design that drove sales. Indian jewellers and designers are fond of melon beads in navy blue colour, tanzanites, amethyists, citrines, morganites, in fact all the colours are favoured by many a young designer said Mukim, ‘‘these beads and stones are used in polki or handmade diamond designer wear that is high-end. Gold jewellery designers avoid using coloured beads as the jewellery would become expensive and unaffordable. Coloured stones compliment diamonds; the colours of these beads enhance the beauty of polki jewellery and handmade diamond jewellery.’’ Coloured gemstones are best crafted in Jaipur and if the stones are semi-precious the stock comes from Africa he informed. “There are stones which come from Brazil and Burma too. In shapes melon-shaped emeralds are trending. Other than that, pink tourmaline and light colours are preferred by the artist’s eye. Then there is the turquoise, which comes from Mexico and America, that is loved and in great demand from design houses. Light green coloured Russian emeralds are the highest selling stone. They look very beautiful in Indian design, especially in Kundan, Meena and Polki and after Neeta Ambani wore them for her daughter’s wedding there is a great wave of demand since then.”

Kundanlal Verma, Owner of Karni Jewellers said, ‘‘Every buyer wants something extraordinary and we are known to make things out of the normal trend, something that is memorable and that is the best offering we have for the buyer here at Couture India Show.’’ Ankit Lodha, Director at Jewels of Jaipur informed that people are looking at bridal and something new. ‘‘Our USP is colour, so we play with a lot of colours, red, green blue are the three major colours we play with. Right now we are using a lot of onion coloured rubies, pinkish and reddish kind of rubies that have a bit of an onion touch.’’ Nitin Lotia, owner of Neeti spoke of 18k jewellery being a top priority with buyers. He said, ‘‘we are known for high-end couturefeel jewellery and the demand in that segment is colour and uniqueness. We have collections in precious colour stones that match trends worldwide.” Nidhesh

Lotia of Neeti explained further, “We use subtle colours and bright colours in combinations with certain hues to match designer outfits for weddings. Our wedding collection has features that are unique, donning motifs of birds and similar elements adding a touch of glamour to the look and feel of the design. We use tourmalines, Russian emeralds, tanzanites and similar pastel colours that have been in the market since a long time. These are absolutely going in the market since a long time right now. The designs we created are such that every piece is different from another.’’ Tatiwala was clear about her consumer and said, ‘‘Girls today have a distinct identity and her jewellery speaks for her personality. She may not want to repeat or even wear the same jewellery frequently, while there may be times when it may not even be possible to repeat the same jewellery. Young women simply want jewellery that can be teamed-up with any dress they don. They don’t want to buy or invest in jewellery. That’s why we have started making open polki jewellery in 14k in pastel beads adding an element of subtlety in design.

We have chokers, smart bracelets and heavy studs which team up with all types of attires. Emeralds in sage green colour teamed up with light blue colour go beautifully with all types of Indian and western apparel. It looks great with plazzos, lehengas, kaftans, you name it! It looks elegant and not a strain on the budget too.’’ Diamonds are a woman’s best friend said Vatsal Shah, proprietor of JB & Brothers. Commenting on design trends, Shah noted, ‘‘since we are solely and intimately involved with solitaire and diamonds, we can tell you that a diamond can speak volumes where you are caught for words! Solitaires are hot selling throughout the year and especially during courtship season. Engagement rings for both girls and boys are available and in great demand. Youth love to show off their solitaires. Earlier couples preferred a simple round shape, but now everyone wants something unique, different and uncommon. That’s why youngsters are asking for newer designs, newer shapes and innovation. That is my point of view.’’

THE FINAL RECKONING
Suken Shah, Proprietor of House of  Sparsh felt that the show was an intimate experience. ‘‘Couture India is a family show. Everybody knows each other. It is almost like a family wedding and that is the best part. This year the registered buyers were just about 135; the buyers last year were more because Signature was held just now.’’ Ananthapadmanabhan quips, “on a personal level, GRT is very happy. This is definitely a well-curated, superbly organized event. The hosting team has done an excellent job, excellent follow-up, excellent service; everything was well done from Chennai to Goa, Couture India Team has done a good job. We are happy with the selection of goods and we met vendors and dealers who we were honoured to work with. The selection has been nice.” Commenting on the event’s reach and timeliness Ananthapadmanabhan said, “To be more focused, since Couture is talking about influential jewellers and vendors, it might help if the vendors got some feedback a couple of months or a fortnight or even a week before the event. We would like to know and to see high-end diamonds or solitaires, whatever is going to be available, so that one can also prepare for the upcoming show, and so that I can give feedback to my vendors. After all each customer is different. I think you have done an excellent job. There is always scope for improvement. Being here, I can say ‘India has come a long way, there is always scope for improvement. I personally believe in three words ‘Kaizen, everyday improvement.’’