- LONDON: Saturday, 18 March 2000
Gold Virtuosi - Excellent response to
gold jewellery "Oscars" for creative innovation
- World Gold Council are pleased to report the overwhelming response
from the entrants for the preliminary judging of Gold Virtuosi, the first
authoritative Global Gold Jewellery Design Award for designers and manufacturers,
sponsored by World Gold Council, the Vicenza Fair and AngloGold.
Over one thousand entrants from 33 countries, submitted designs for the
preliminary judging session held in London at the Goldsmiths' Hall on
the 25th January 2000. The board of judges were very impressed with the
originality of designs, which were inspired by the brief, "to create
the ultimate gold adornment, enhancing the wearers' individual pleasure,
vitality, emotion, and sensuality".
One of the judges, Vivienne Becker, Jewellery Editor of Harpers & Queen
says; "I was stunned by the sheer numbers and variety of designs submitted
for the competition and impressed by the overall ingenuity and professionalism
of the entries". "I was particularly looking for designs that showed a
deep appreciation and understanding of the qualities of gold, for jewels
that would make the most of the metal, show it to its best advantage."
Another judge, Mr Jacopo Etro, International Fashion Designer is quoted
as saying; "What I mostly appreciated is the designers' ability to
create objects which can express their cultural identities and keep alive
their background traditions; in this way they can offer different points
of view and interpretations on the jewellery world. I'm very curious and
anxious to see them once they have been transformed from sketches into
jewels".
Miss Haruko Fakuda, Chief Executive Officer, World Gold Council, speaking
about the designs entered added; "it must have been very difficult
for the judges to choose favourites, as many of the entries stood out
by the sheer force of their energy, courage and spirit of adventure".
"I liked the new ideas for body ornaments, new textures and ways of
working with gold and am looking forward to seeing the made up designs,
which will be judged at the final judging session". The final judging
will be held at the Goldsmiths' Hall on 18th April 2000.
Plans are well advanced to ensure that the winners of the Gold Virtuosi
Awards will enjoy international acclaim starting at the sensational Vicenza
Fair in June 2000. As part of World Gold Council's continuing commitment
to inspire and award creative excellence in gold jewellery design, the
collection of the award winning pieces will be exhibited in major cities
around the world and at important exhibitions and press conferences until
July 2001.
- Ends -
For more information please contact:
Bryan Parker, World Gold Council, 45 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JG,
Tel: 0171 930 5171, Fax: 0171 839 6561
E-mail: bryan.parker@wgclon.gold.org |