India gets it`s first jewellery week

New Delhi: After the many fashion weeks that are held round the year, India will now have its first ever jewellery week - the India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) - here Aug 15-19.

"This is a fabulous platform for jewellery designers to come together and showcase their talent. The fashion industry has their events but this is the first time that the jewellery industry will witness something like this," Farah Khan Ali, who will showcase her designs at the event, told IANS. "We want to showcase jewellery as a piece of art and not just an investment." The event is being organised by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India, supported by the ministry of commerce and industry. The five-day extravaganza will showcase collections of 30 designers including Farah Khan Ali, Varun D. Jani, Bina Goenka and Rhea Nasta. Well-knonw jewellery brands like Mirari, Gitanjali, Amrapali, Tanishq and Ganjam will also participate in it. "IIJW is a platform to showcase India`s prowess in jewellery, be it design, innovation, craftsmanship or quality," Vasant Mehta, chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, told reporters here at a press meet. "Having attained our leadership in diamond manufacturing and being the fastest growing jewellery manufacturing destination globally, it`s time to showcase India`s expertise in design and make India the most sought after destination for designer jewellery," Mehta added. IIJW will also showcase the talents of upcoming designers from the National Institute of Design(NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The event will be held at the Hotel Grand Hyatt, Santa Cruz. IANS