Strong attendance as VICENZAORO kicks off trade fair season
by David Brough
VICENZA, Italy, January 24, 2018 – Turnout was high at the January edition of VICENZAORO, the first major international trade show of 2018, with digital culture dictating jewellery design trends for the new year.
Rising production and consumption of gold jewellery signalled a favourable outlook for the sector, said Lorenzo Cagnoni, President of organiser Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), in an opening address on January 19.
“VICENZAORO January opens in a highly positive context, both in terms of confirmations coming in of a recovery in demand for gold and of the significant results that our group is proving to obtain at this and at the other 60 shows in our company’s portfolio,” he said.
The VICENZAORO show, which ran until January 24, is a conduit for exports of Italian gold and silver jewellery to leading markets such as the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Halls were packed as retailers from around the world came to stock the latest designs in their jewellery shops.
VICENZAORO January had more than 4,500 exhibitors, 35 percent of which were from outside Italy, and estimated visitors at more than 96,000 from 130 countries.
The January edition was completely sold out to exhibitors by December.
Digital culture is dictating jewellery design trends for 2018-19, influenced by gender neutrality, Millennials’ insistence upon high ethical standards, the desire to combine technology with emotion, and growing purchases by men, analysts, jewellers and editors said.“I haven’t attended VICENZAORO since 2015, so this was a welcome return to the show following greater attention to the ambiance, layout and brands featured,” said Kathryn Bishop, jewellery writer and Co-Founder of the Women’s Jewellery Network.
“Among the trends that stood out this year was the playful application of colour beyond gemstones, be it through nano-ceramic plating as seen at Noor Fares, enamelling or even hand-painted creations, exemplified by Bea Bongiasca and Amlé respectively.”
She added, “Among fashion jewellery, the notion of identity reigned, highlighting the trends depicted in Paola de Luca’s TRENDVISION presentation at the show.
“For example, signet rings were referenced in collections by numerous unisex brands, while the tongue-in-cheek cameos by I Bello featured emojis and swear words as bold expressions. Elsewhere, accessibility was informing fine jewellery.
“At Nanis, new additions to the Dancing in the Rain collection focused heavily on multi-wear designs and transformational jewels.”
Another trend was driven by consumers embracing “emotional technology” — state-of-the-art designs with a feeling of emotional engagement and warmth.
The next edition of VICENZAORO will take place in Vicenza from September 22-26, 2018.
