The innovative ways technology has transformed the business of fashion jewelry in the recent past is remarkable. Instead of relying entirely upon the highly sought after precious stones, the traditional designs or the primitive ways early watchmakers, craftsmen, jewelers worked, the whole jewelry industry is now on the track of favoring a sharp turn towards more experimentation, innovation in techniques and digitalization, to be more specific. If the latest spring couture shows are valid indicators where priority is given to imaginative designs and technical innovations; the deviation is quite prominent. The industry is headed to a poised future, with a projected annual global sale of 150 Billion euro and continues to grow at a handsome rate of 5/6 percent each year.
Overcoming the fears of recession, the global market is up for strong positive run again, if you ignore the slight dampening effect, currently observed, triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak. But the fast-growing dynamics of the changing market, influenced by consumer behavior along the industry itself is encouraging jewelers to opt
for radical, innovative ideas. According to a holistic, multi-level research at a global scale carried out by analyzing, compiling a vast amount of publicly available data, annual reports by various companies over the past few decades, a radical shift in consumption and consumer mentality is observed, which is more inclined to internationalization, consolidation, and hybrid consumption. Even today in the jewelry design market, ten largest groups control just over 12 percent of the global market- Cartier, Tiffany & Co. being the strong ones with several regional, national, and hyper-local brands sharing the rest.
Naturally, the career opportunities presented by some of the leading institutes on jewelry design are opening up new frontiers for design students across the country or globally. The sector is strongly embracing the winds of change in design discourse, radical experimentations, and interdisciplinary collaborations across several disciplines including technology, finance, innovation, medical, surveillance, among others. Apart from the recent success (es) in several fashion-tech startups innovative collaborations are getting increasingly common even in the surveillance industry with wearable technology becoming a trivial, everyday thing as a way of avoiding mass surveillance favoring privacy.
"The fast-growing dynamics of the changing market, influenced by consumer behavior along the industry itself is encouraging jewelers to opt for radical, innovative ideas."
The rise in the 3d printing industry, ornaments produced from recycled plastic or metal, compostable/ sustainable materials have given consumers a choice to opt for more ethically sourced, created jewelry pieces or technologically advanced fusion jewelry/gadgets. Design firms for the likes of Zaha Hadid Design are setting new standards with parametric, wearable designs inspiring the next generation of designers.
Among the traditional players, bringing innovation to the profession, Cartier, Piaget, Chaumet, Tatiana Verstraeten have surprised us with an extraordinary level
of craftsmanship and uniqueness. From 'Jagged clusters of diamonds/pearls', 'cascades of white gold fringe punctuated by diamonds' by Tatiana Verstraeten to flamboyant, colors stones by Chaumet to floating (apparently) composition decorated with Sri Lankan sapphires by Chopard, the latest generation of jewelry designs is pushing the boundaries of intricate, modern designs in multiple directions.
Taking calculated risks to create new designs, better understanding, incorporating newer techniques and subsequent development of innovative designs are key to extending the threshold of design education worldwide today. It is no longer limited to trust fund children, star-kids or students with a comfortable/influential backgrounds (whether political or industrial) only, opening up the doors to regular candidates with limited resources as well.
Rupal Dalal, Executive Director
Rupal Dalal serves as the Executive Director of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, which is an education division of JD Image Promotions. Ms. Rupal Dalal is accorded with the Times Power Icon 2019 for her exemplary contribution in the field of education. Her humanitarian concern is channelized through various CSR Activities like World Elders Day, Spastic society, Indian Cancer Society, JAGO, CWEI, and many more. She has also spearheaded the Indian Cancer Society's annual event "Rise against Cancer" in which jediiians took the initiative to raise awareness of cancer by undertaking multiple activities. She has been awarded "Smt. Sushila Agarwal Memorial Award" for her exemplary services to senior citizens for arranging fashion show every year. She believes that her contribution through education is a means to build the design future for the country.
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