AuDITIONS India 2007-08, the competition to create gold couture jewellery, presented by World Gold Council and AngloGold Ashanti, in association with Tanishq and Rand Refinery, has neared its culmination with the unveiling of the 20 short-listed designers and their sketched entries.
Hailed as the Oscars of Gold jewellery design, the Indian chapter of the competition received an overwhelming response with over 600 entrants from 17 states vying for the coveted title. The 20 finalists were decided by an eminent judging panel on the basis of design impact, innovation in style, practicality of manufacturing and being true to this year’s theme of ‘Trendsetting Gold’. A panel consisting of eminent personalities like Raghavendra Rathore, Dr. Usha Bala Krishnan, Jatin Bhatt (NIFT), Shobha Asar, Divika Gidwani (HRD) and Kumar Ganjam (Ganjam Jewellers) narrowed down the search to the final numbers.
AuDITIONS is the world’s largest gold jewellery design competition and is also held in Brazil, South Africa, China and the Middle East. It was conceived in South Africa and has been well received globally due to its extended support to upcoming designers. This has fuelled both innovation in design and creativity in jewellery and is an exciting endeavor in India.
Three award-winning pieces from South Africa, the home of AuDITIONS, were brought to India highlighting the global platform of this competition. These jewellery pieces were showcased by models Fleur Xavier, Tapur Chatterjee and Nethra Ragunathan. The models were dressed and styled by Raghavendra Rathore.
Ajay Mitra, Managing Director, Indian Subcontinent, World Gold Council, said, “We
are very excited with the response to AuDITIONS India as it has appealed not only to professional designers but students, karigars and goldsmiths from all over the country. The selected pieces are the 20 best designs in India, adding weight to the fact that AuDITIONS India is receiving the recognition it deserves. These trendy designs will have a positive impact on gold’s reception among the youth, who we are confident will be attracted to this new face of gold jewellery.”
Mark Pool, Marketing Manager of AngloGold Ashanti and Creative Director of AuDITIONS, commented, “The theme ‘Trendsetting Gold’ aims for a gold couture collection that excites consumers and inspires the jewellery trade. I am confident that this collection will present a fresh face in Gold – one befitting today’s modern Indian woman.”
Raghavendra Rathore, the ‘Concept Carrier’ for AuDITIONS said, “I have always believed that gold has the power to make a bold fashion statement. ’Trendsetting Gold’ has achieved this by providing a platform to create innovative designs that complement the appearance of the modern woman.”
Alpa Parida, Head of Marketing & Merchandising, Tanishq said, “AuDITIONS 2007-08 has received an amazing response from the participants. These designs are innovative and Tanishq is looking forward to see the final manufactured pieces, as we are confident that it will appeal to the consumers. All the pieces will be showcased at all Tanishq outlets across the country.”
These designs will now be fabricated by Tanishq and after a further judging round, the final 3 winners will be announced. The winner will take away a grand prize of 500 grams of gold, while the first runner-up will win 250 grams of gold, with the second runner-up receiving 100 grams of gold. The balance of 17 short-listed finalists will be given 20 grams gold coins. Since AuDITIONS is a global phenomenon, the participants and the winners will get worldwide recognition.
Source: India Infoline Ltd
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