More international exhibitors as INHORGENTA MUNICH opens
MUNICH, February 14, 2014 – International exhibitor numbers were up this year as INHORGENTA MUNICH opened its doors in a challenging climate for jewellery and watch sales in Germany.
Klaus Dittrich, Chairman of Messe Munchen, told a news conference at the start of the trade fair that the share of international exhibitors was 48.2 percent, up from 47 percent last year.
Taking part this year are 577 exhibitors from 40 countries (last year, 38 countries.)
INHORGENTA MUNICH is positioned as a barometer of trends for affordable luxury, Dittrich said.
“Its most important distinguishing feature is its broad range of brands and products which can be assigned to the segment of affordable luxury, meaning jewellery and timepieces in the mid-price and higher-price segment,” he said.
The backdrop for sales of jewellery and watches in Germany is challenging, with total sales estimated to be down 5.5 percent year-on-year to 4.73 billion euros in 2013, according to industry data presented at the news conference.
New exhibitors at INHORGENTA MUNICH in 2014 included Endless Jewelry, headed up by Jesper Nielsen, who built up the Pandora business in Germany.
Endless is a brand that is initially based around collectible charms on leather bracelets.
Since launching in Germany last year, Endless has seen massive growth and is now set to do the same around the world.
Another new exhibitor was UK designer Andrew Geoghegan, the British Jewellers’ Association (BJA) “Designer of the Year”, who showcased his exceptional “Phoenix” cocktail ring in green tourmaline, tanzanite and diamonds in 18-carat gold.
“The Phoenix emphasizes the three-dimensional aspect of the ring with a tapered approach on the setting,” Geoghegan said.
“This piece gives the wearer a perfect opportunity to express themselves in terms of form and colour.”
Trends expert Irmie Schuch-Schamburek outlined some key trends in jewellery design for 2014, noting that a key trend in fashion for bold colours and big decorative patterns was now being seen in the latest jewellery and watches.
“These colours put you in a very good mood,” she said, as she showed slides of highly colourful jewellery and watches from brands such as ERNSTES DESIGN, Ice Watch and Michael Kors.
She also referred to the popularity of jewellery and watch designs in rose gold in 2014.
On February 15, UK trends expert Maia Adams from Adorn Insight will examine how trends come about and what influence they have on the consumer.
INHORGENTA MUNICH runs until February 17, 2014.
