BIJORHCA PARIS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

Bijorhca Paris, the jewellery industry’s leading international trade show, hosted 249 exhibitors and brands from 17 to 20 January in the heart of Pavilion 7.1 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The change of hall had a really positive impact on this first edition for 2020.

This new setting proved a hit with exhibitors and buyers, who welcomed it as more pleasant, elegant and accessible.The layout of the 4 themed universes (Raw Materials, l’Atelier, Fashion and Precious Areas) across a single floor was also unanimously well-received. This improved visitor flow won praise from a number of people, including Charlotte Wannebroucq from the blog Esprit Joaillerie: “This new pavilion reflects the show’s vibrancy and determination to continue reinventing itself.”

While the transport disruption caused by the current unprecedented protests in France led to a 9% dip in visitor numbers at Bijorhca Paris, this was offset by impressive numbers of buyers and decision-makers intent on finding new suppliers and replenishing their stock.

VIS

ITO

RS

■ OVER 10,000 VISITORS

■ OF WHOM 27% INTERNATIONAL (ON A PAR WITH JAN 2019) WITH 95 NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED

TOP 5 VISITOR COUNTRIES (EXCLUDING FRANCE) :

1. BELGIUM2. ITALY3. SPAIN4. GERMANY5. SWITZERLAND

EX

HIB

ITO

RS ■ 249 EXHIBITORS AND

BRANDS OF WHOM 74

NEW EXHIBITORS

■ 54% INTERNATIONAL

REPRESENTING 30

NATIONALITIES

TOP 5 EXHIBITOR COUNTRIES (EXCLUDING FRANCE) :

1. SPAIN2. GERMANY3. ITALY4. GREECE5. NETHERLANDS / INDIA

NEW EXHIBITOR COUNTRIES: CANADA, CHINA, COLOMBIA,

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, HONG KONG AND ISRAEL

Retailers, department stores and concept stores came to discover all the emerging talents and major trends during a packed programme of workshops and live skills demonstrations, also mirrored in the Fashion Trends area designed by Elizabeth Leriche, artistic director at Bijorhca Paris.

Personalised jewellery as popular as ever

Jeweller Thomas Choinkowski exclusively premiered his creations at Bijorhca Paris under the name Thomas Aurifex. This was a first for the self-taught jeweller, who unveiled his Albrekt wedding ring collection, featuring faceted geometric designs capturing the date of the wedding.

“I’ve far exceeded my goals in terms of getting my brand known, and will now carry on telling beautiful stories and developing my creative universe.”

Thomas Choinkowski

Up-and-coming label Nemmès gives customers the opportunity to design their own pieces via its interactive interface. The jewellery is then produced in its French workshops.

Opinion Chronographe offers a unique watchmaking experience, producing watches tailored made to reflect individual tastes and personality.

When jewellery becomes a work of art

The Chall’Angel competition focusing on neo jewellery – minimalist pieces that transform the wearer’s body into a jewel to be admired in its own right – ushered Nina Nanas, Okan Studio and Monad Design into the spotlight. All three brands won rave reviews with their originality and contemporary flair.

“Bijorhca Paris was an opportunity to network and share as much information as possible with buyers and exhibitors alike. A gold mine for an emerging label!”

Nina Nanas

Jeweller Laurence Oppermann was guest of honour at More than Materials. Imagined by designer Francis van de Walle, the exhibition showcased breath-taking oversized art pieces.

“I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to present my artistic approach and contemporary jewellery at Bijorhca Paris. It’s increasingly important today to promote French craftsmanship!”

Laurence Oppermann

The resurgence of retro jewellery in 2020

Another emerging trend at this edition was neo bourgeois jewellery, also known as ‘granny jewellery’, by L’Inaccessible Étoile, By Garance and others. A key part of this trend is the return of medals, antique coins, mother-of-pearl and cameos: a vintage look brought up-to-date with layering.

Event ambassadors Jade Leboeuf (@jade_leboeuf) and Pia Moubayed (@pia_mbd) were dazzled by the brands at Bijorhca Paris, as were industry experts Marie Chabrol (Le Gemmologue), Bérangère Treussard (Like a B), Charlotte Wannebroucq (Esprit Joaillerie), Victoria Brown (The Jewellery Spot) and Claire Fillet (Rubis sur Canapé).

“I really enjoyed the mix of exhibitors at this edition and loved the Fashion Trends set design. The show just gets better and better!”

Marie Chabrol

A ‘phygital’ event

Just like jewellery designers, Bijorhca Paris relies on influencer marketing and social media to promote the event and introduce end customers to new brands. As Thomas Baillod, the founder of Watch Trade Academy put it during a panel discussion: “Retail is undergoing major changes due to the unstoppable rise of digital, and we must harness this as key to growth.”

This is why Bijorhca Paris celebrates new technologies through its ‘Digital Innovations’ hub, alongside traditional artisan craftmanship.

Artisan jewellers in the ‘Demonstrations & Skills’ hub worked on a major challenge: to create 2 brooches from start to finish in just 4 days based on the theme of protecting our oceans (in a nod to the Bijorhca Jewellery Awards). Bringing their skills to the event were: Estelle Lagarde for gouache, Juliette Arda (Institut des Arts de la Bijouterie) for damascened steel, Thomas Brac de la Perrière for engraving, Tony Bellone (Atelier Bellonor) for setting and Jean-Paul Raffaitin (Ateliers Bermudes) for polishing.

Creativity was also celebrated through the Bijorhca Jewellery Awards competition: Pauline Verlhac received an award for her brooch ‘The Seventh Continent’. Concerned about protecting our oceans and the environment as a whole, Pauline opted for titanium over gold and calibrated stones.

“I was so surprised and proud to win the competition! I’d like to thank the panel members for understanding the message behind my brooch. Beyond just protecting our oceans, we must also look after our planet. This was what inspired me when designing my piece.Because of my training at AFEDAP in Paris, I was able to create a piece imbued with meaning, beyond its figurative aesthetics. I can’t wait to see my brooch come to life at Ateliers Bermudes!”

Pauline Verlhac

This was a concern shared by Charlotte Daehen from Courbet, Hélène Grassin from Paulette à Bicyclette and Dorothée Contour from JEM (Jewellery Ethically Minded) who spoke on the topic of ‘Eco-conscious, ethical and sustainable jewellery’ during a panel discussion.

“Thank you all for your participation and unfailing support, demonstrating your passion for and special affinity with Bijorhca Paris and what it represents.Against the challenging backdrop of these past few weeks, we are pleased with this latest edition, which championed change and innovation.So many of you welcomed the way we brought together brands and designers on a single unified level, allowing unfettered access to the products and services on offer and reflecting the desire of the sector’s key players to come together.The focus on current topics and skills, opportunities for friendly networking and interacting with influencers contributed to this success, and we’re getting ready to support the sector again by starting on work for the 150th edition of Bijorhca Paris. We can’t wait to see you in September!”

Marine Devos, Show Director

BIJORHCA PARIS INVITES YOU TO ITS 150TH EDITION FROM 4 TO 7 SEPTEMBER 2020!

BIJORHCA PARIS AT A GLANCE: BIJORHCA PARIS is France’s leading international trade show dedicated to the jewellery industry and all its sectors. Founded in 1936, it’s now the leading show for all market players. Twice a year – in January and September – it brings together around 12,000 buyers and more than 300 brands in the heart of Paris.

BIJORHCA PARIS - 17 – 20 JANUARY 2020250 BRANDS SHOWCASEDOVER 10,000 VISITORS

About REED EXPOSITIONS FRANCE - www.reedexpo.frPresent in 20 industry sectors, with 52 leading events – including Batimat, EquipHotel, IFTM-Top Resa, Expoprotection,Pollutec, SITL, Maison & Objet*, Fiac and Paris Photo – and 51 websites, Reed Expositions delivers contacts, content and communities with the power to transform our customers’ business. Over 24,400 companies and 1.58 million buyers, from France and the international market, are customers at our events. Reed Expositions is a member of the Reed Exhibitions group, the world’s leading events organiser and French market leader with more than 60 events and 2 subsidiaries: Reed Expositions France and Reed Midem.

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