New UAE Award To Support Local Jewellery Designers Launched For JWS 2103

The 21st edition of the International Jewellery & Watch Show announced for 14 - 18 March 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), co-located with the first-ever Luxury Gift Show

EBDA’A AWARD 2013, the first national jewellery design competition in the UAE, will be part of JWS 2013, with inspirational UAE entrepreneur and jewellery designer Azza Al Qubaisi announced as a judge

Since she was a child, Azza Al Qubaisi has been passionate about jewellery. Growing up, she vividly remembers being fascinated by her father’s colourful gemstone collection, so it was no surprise to anyone that Al Qubaisi took up jewellery design as her chosen profession.

Now, as one of the UAE’s most successful and awarded entrepreneurs, Al Qubaisi is giving back to the craft that has provided so much to her by being a judge for the EBDA’A AWARD 2013, the Emirati Jewellery Design Award, the first national jewellery design competition in the UAE, as part of the International Jewellery & Watch Show (JWS) from 14 – 18 March 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

“I am so thrilled about this new award for budding jewellery designers. Jewellery is my life, my passion and my business, and I want to share this with a new generation of Emiratis who are as inspired by their culture as I am,” said Azza Al Qubaisi.

“It is very important to have a creative outlet for talented designers and I am confident that we will unearth some amazing new design concepts through the EBDA’A AWARD 2013.”

The EBDA’A AWARD 2013 is a new feature of the JWS this year, and Raya Dandal, JWS Show Manager for Reed Exhibitions, explains that the award has three categories, one of which is open to all UAE residents and the other two are only eligible for UAE nationals.

“The EBDA’A AWARD 2013 welcomes both established and emerging designers and artists, and we certainly encourage jewellery design students to enter,” said Raya Dandal.

“We have a category for daywear and casual jewellery which is open to UAE nationals and residents. There is also an evening wear category for UAE nationals only as well as a category for contemporary interpretation of traditional jewellery which is also only open for UAE nationals.”

The EBDA’A AWARD 2013 offers some outstanding prizes to support the development of the Emirati jewellery design sector and promote UAE jewellery products to national and international buyers.
Winners in each category will receive an award specially created by Azza Al Qubaisi for the EBDA’A AWARD 2013 and will be able to showcase their designs during JWS 2013. They will also be offered an IGI course, have a feature article in one of the media partner publications and have the opportunity to display their jewellery designs in next year’s JWS.

In addition, all winning entry pieces will be manufactured into masterpieces for casual wear, and will have the chance to be produced and displayed by a member of the Abu Dhabi Gold Group, the city’s leading association of jewelers.

“Our vision is that the EBDA’A AWARD 2013 Emirati Jewelry Designer Award is the first step to further promote the capability of Emirati jewellery market in the region” said Azza Al Qubaisi

“Our ultimate vision is to support the development of Emirati jewellery designers by showcasing the work of wining designers every year at JWS and giving the chance for visitors to view the exclusive work and designs of six winners.”

“This will build the foundation for developing exhibited designers which, in turn, can lead to creating Emirati design trendsetters in the region, and cater for the visitors to the country who seek unique local designs that capture the UAE story, feelings and heritage,” said Azza Al Qubaisi.

Dandal is equally enthused about the EBDA’A AWARD 2013 Emirati Jewellery Design Award, and is very proud to introduce the first national jewellery design competition in the UAE.

“There is so much talent within the UAE, and we decided, for the 21st edition of JWS, to do something special to encourage innovative and creative jewellery designs”.

“We are very honored to have someone with like Azza Al Qubaisi as a judge and a mentor for the EBDA’A AWARDS 2013. Her list of achievements, including Emirates Woman of the Year & British Council YCE Winner, will be a real inspiration for all of the entrants,” said Raya Dandal.

“Interested entrants should read the eligibility criteria on our website – www.jws.ae – and download and complete the online application form before 18 February 2013.”

Also new for the 21st edition of JWS is the Luxury Gift Show which will be co-located with JWS at ADNEC in March. The Luxury Gift Show will assemble a collection of high-quality gifts and innovative design

products, objects and concepts for personal use, special occasions and within the home. Aimed at discerning buyers, the Luxury Gift Show will expand the offerings of JSW 2013 and provide a full range of fashion and gift items.

This year, 130 exhibitors from 20 countries, including Italy, Brazil, Singapore, China, Japan, Turkey, the UK and the USA, are expected to offer their latest designs at JWS 2013.

“It is very pleasing that over half of the exhibitors are from the GGC region, and more than a third are from the UAE,” said Raya Dandal.

“This shows the strength of the jewellery design industry in the Middle East, and we can expect many of the items to reflect the local culture, using locally sourced metals and stones including pearls which are so much part of our regional heritage.”
Full entry details for the EBDA’A AWARD 2013 Emirati Jewellery Designer Award can be found on the JWS website at www.jsa.ae 

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Feb 5, 2013

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