International Jewellery and Watch Show introduces new Emirati design award
The International Jewellery and Watch Show (JWS) will mark its 21st edition this 14 – 18 March 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This year JWS will be co-located with the Luxury Gift Show and, for the first time, will feature the EBDA’A Emirati Jewellery Design Award. Tempo spoke with one of the judges, leading Emirati jewellery artist Azza Al Qubaisi, about the EBDA’A AWARD 2013.
The EBDA’A AWARD 2013 is an exciting initiative by JWS to encourage new talent in the jewellery design industry. What is the vision of the award?
The EBDA’A AWARD 2013 is the first step to further promote the capability of the Emirati jewellery market in the region. Our ultimate vision is to support the development of Emirati jewellery designers by showcasing the work of winning designers every year at JWS and offering potential buyers the chance to view the exclusive work of talented new designers.
Why is the award important?
It will build the foundation for the local jewellery industry, helping to promote Emirati designs in the region and cater for visitors to the country who seek unique local designs that capture the UAE story, feelings and heritage. It is also a great opportunity for emerging designers and artists, especially jewellery design students, to showcase their creations to a panel of judges and receive feedback on their work.
Why did you become involved in the EBDA’A AWARD 2013?
Jewellery is my life, my passion and my business, and I want to share this with a new generation of Emiratis who are as inspired by their culture as I am. It is very important to have a creative outlet for talented designers and I am confident that we will unearth some amazing new design concepts through the EBDA’A AWARD 2013.
What are the categories of the award?
We have a category for daywear and casual jewellery, which is open to UAE nationals and residents. There is also an evening wear category for UAE nationals only as well as a category for contemporary interpretation of traditional jewellery which is also only open for UAE nationals. People visiting JWS will be able to view the winning designs.
What do you love about the International Jewellery and Watch Show?
The fact that it’s about jewellery, of course! But seriously, it is very pleasing that so many exhibitors from the GGC region, more than a third of them from the UAE, are coming to Abu Dhabi for the International Jewellery and Watch Show. This shows the strength of the jewellery design industry in the Middle East, and we can expect many of the items to reflect the local culture, using locally sourced metals and stones including pearls which are so much part of our regional heritage.
ABOUT JWS
More than 130 exhibitors from over 20 countries will display the latest jewellery and watch designs made from gold, silver, diamonds and other precious metals and stones. New for 2013 is the Luxury Gift Show, which specializes in extravagant and innovative designer products, objects and concepts for personal use, special occasions and the home. Opening hours are 4.00pm – 10.00pm.
For more information about JWS 2013, visit www.jws.ae
By Ian Mason
