Poonam Soni | Mines to Market

Organised by Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) and Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) - India Chapter, ‘Design Connect 2019’, a platform for jewellery designers to help connect and collaborate with manufacturers and retailers was well received. The event, held in Mumbai on June 26, had 35 jewellery manufacturers and retailers participating and conducting interview rounds with 100+ jewellery designers. Moderating a panel discussion Ms Nirupa Bhatt, President, WJA – India Chapter took the topic “Designers – Path to Success” to an appreciable ending with panelists Ms Poonam Soni, Designer, Ms Vaishali Banerjee, Managing Director – Platinum Guild India, Mr Aftab Bandukwala, Director, V-Design Architectural Solutions, and Mr Colin Shah, Vice Chairman, GJEPC and Managing Director, Kama Schachter, who share insights on how jewellery designers can seek inspirations ; understand jewellery manufacturing techniques; identify trends, build stories and so on. In addition, designers Indra Jadwani and Hetal Vakil, IIGJ Faculty Sushma Sawant and Swati Sangekar, and GIA Instructor Sajiri Barve mentored both freshers and experienced who got the opportunity to interact with these mentors and seek guidance. Mr Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, GJSCI commented, “I believe in fresh talent and encouraging them. With a platform like Design Connect, talented jewellery designers will now have access to working opportunities with jewellery manufacturers and retailers. Looking at the response and the need, GJSCI is planning to conduct Design Connect in other cities too. Events of such kind would also be organised for other segments of the gem and jewellery industry for job seekers in the future,” he added. “I would like to thank GJEPC, GJC, IBJA and GIA for inviting their members and students to the event. I’d also like to thank all the participants for making Design Connect a success.” Ms Bhatt added, “It is a unique platform for both freshers and experienced jewellery designers. They were excited to meet manufacturers and retailers, and seek opportunities to collaborate. This has the potential to present opportunities for the designers, manufacturers and retailers to collectively raise the consumer desirability for purchasing jewellery.” Recruiting companies at Design Connect were extremely pleased with the quality of the designers and complimented GJSCI and WJA for putting Design Connect together. The designers too felt that Design Connect provided access to many companies in one place.

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