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A Window to the Future – The “Young and Wild” at Inhorgenta Europe

November 2006


Every industry profits from the energy and innovative ideas of its next generation. The international timepiece and jewelry business is no exception. Consequently, Inhorgenta Europe, the most significant trade fair for jewelry and timepieces in the EU, is betting on its very promising and talented next generation of designers. It is ensuring with targeted, strategic promotion of young and talented jewelry artists from throughout the world that they get initial trade fair experience on an international platform. In Hall C2, a synonym worldwide for innovative designer jewelry, around 300 exhibitors from Europe, Asia and America present their wares to a discerning trade public every year. This creative platform is the outlet for extraordinary ideas, innovative concepts and consequently one of the most stimuli for the complete industry, not the least thanks to the call for entries to compete for the Inhorgenta innovation prize for outstanding and pioneering jewelry design, one of the most sought-after and highly recognized of its kind. This is reason enough to ask jewelry designers from throughout the world, in which project they are currently working and how their participation at Inhorgenta Europe has affected the further course of their businesses.


inhorgenta


1. Márcio Nonato Coutinho, Teófilo Otoni (MG), Brazil:
“I sell my gems worldwide, and Europe is the most important market for me beside the USA, far from my native country. I have been to numerous trade fairs in Europe, but I first noticed at Inhorgenta Europe in Munich that I was at just the right place! I met with lively and enthusiastic interest from European customers with my 2006 collection, which is mainly composed in a ‘psychedelic’ style. Encouraged by this success, I am now planning to travel with a large group of Brazilian colleagues and customers to Munich next year.”

2. Gill Galloway-Whitehead, Inhorgenta Europe Innovation Prizewinner 2002, Birmingham, Great Britain:
“I have developed a method for my jewelry pieces, with which I can link many very delicate and fragile wires made of fine gold and silver and combine fabrics making them stronger. I am currently preparing an exhibition, which will start in the Aaron-Faber Gallery in New York – a contact, by the way, which is thanks to this year’s Inhorgenta Europe. My business has achieved an international level thanks to my presence in Munich. Of course, I will be at Inhorgenta Europe again next year, because it is excellent for my artistic and business profile and growth.”

3. Mette T. Jensen, Inhorgenta Europe Innovation Prizewinner 2005, Charlottenlund, Denmark:
“Among other things, I am currently working on larger jewelry pieces made of wood, which profit from the lightness of this material. This jewelry can be worn, but also has its own raison d’être. I want to stimulate those looking at it to marvel, laugh or dream. I have exhibited at Inhorgenta Europe since 2005, and it really paid off each time. I meet a top-rate international public there and even learn about interesting trends and design myself. The exciting thing about the trade fair is that I have totally unexpected experiences and meetings with people.”

4. Rembrandt Jordan, Winner of the Inhorgenta Special Prize for Silver, Antwerpen, Belgium:
“I was at Inhorgenta Europe for the first time this year, because silversmith work had its own forum for the first time. Inhorgenta Europe has a good reputation in Belgium, and Germany is an especially interesting market for silver jewelry. The prize I received in February was a very welcome and helpful stimulus for me to open my own gallery in Antwerp in May. In addition to many valuable international contacts to industry insiders, I was very surprised to meet a lot of colleagues and gallery owners from Belgium and even Antwerp, whom I did not even know beforehand!”

5. Maciek Starzecki, Head of “Deco Echo”, Cracow, Poland:
“Our jewelry retailing business tries to sign contracts with the most talented and interesting jewelry designers from throughout all of Poland. We exhibited collections from approximately 20 artists at Inhorgenta Europe this year, and they generated a lot of interest. A few of our designers also entered the contest for the innovation prize. The long trip to Munich is really worth it. The German jewelry market is very interesting and significant, and the demands made on design are at the highest level. We found it especially interesting that we were able to establish contacts with interested buyers from many countries, in which we were not previously present, thanks to the international character of the trade fair. We are already going to exhibit at the fair for the fourth time in February 2007.”

6. Nicole Walger, Inhorgenta Europe Innovation Prizewinner 2003, Stuttgart, Germany:
“I have been at Inhorgenta Europe every year since I was awarded the prize, and I will be there next year too. You have to see the long-term benefits above all, and there is no question of that at Inhorgenta Europe. It is a very good industry platform. I especially appreciate that it is a professional trade fair. As a result, there are a lot of valuable, professional ‘business-to-business’ talks. Not the least, the Inhorgenta Europe innovation prize made my move to self-employment much easier.”


Source: Europa Star October-November 2006 Magazine Issue