DW SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2019

Trade TraDe Fair
Vicenzaoro September
Bellissimo!
An economic crisis, rising gold prices or a general shift in preference of the consumers,
nothing can really bring down the spirit of Vicenzaoro, a show committed to the excellence
of jewellery craftsmanship says Vijetha Rangabashyam
Art and design is intrinsic to Italy.
Creating beautiful things with
painstaking artistry runs in their
DNA. From architecture to food, fashion,
and music, the Italians take pleasure in
arduousness. It is no wonder then that
this country that gave birth to renaissance
among other cultural ideologies, which
stand the test of time, is also known for
its excellence in jewellery. It is home to
jewellery and craftsmanship steeped in
thousands of years of tradition. Arresting
designs in buttery gold from Florence,
Milan and Vicenza, colourful jewellery
with juicy gemstones exclusive to Rome
and radiant jewellery in rustic designs
with corals and turquoise from Capri and
Amalfi Coast – each region is known for
its unique sense of flamboyance, but they
all exude an aura of bonafide Italian je ne
sais quoi that is inimitable.
Vicenza, though quaint, is filled with
city slickers who know their jewellery
in and out. If you drive down from Fiera
di Vicenza fairgrounds to the heart of this
medieval city, you will witness another side
to it– a bustling Piazza dei Signori, where
you might find locals sipping on the neon
orange, very palatable Spritz Veneziano and
animatedly talking, probably about jewellery,
among other things. Home to world
famous brands like Roberto Coin, Fope and
Pesavento, jewellery heritage in Vicenza
dates back to a time older than some of the
beautiful buildings the city houses. Basilica
Palladiana, named after Andrea Palladio,
one of Italy’s famed architects, also a
resident of Vicenza, with its majestic white
marble arches, nestles Museo del Gioiello,
the only museum dedicated to jewellery in
Italy. A cultural attraction, the museum is
funded by the Italian Exhibition Group,
organizers of Vicenzaoro, a jewellery trade
show that has proven to be very important
for Europe, over the years.
This year, the September edition welcomed
over 1300 exhibitors and visitors
from 117 nations. In addition to this,
around 500 buyers were hosted from all
over the world. The mood was rather subdued
for sure, as Europe, is at the centre
of an ongoing economic crisis. The bigger
maisons have definitely flourished in Europe,
in turn they have caused the smaller,
family owned businesses to further downsize,
many have even disappeared. An Indian
exhibitor on a condition of anonymity
told me that the show was once talk of the
town and getting a booth was tough not to
mention costed the earth, today things are
Verdi coral
bracelets
84 september-october 2019 DiamonD WorlD