18 February 2017
Raynald C Rivera
The outlook for the local jewellery industry is glittering with the growing presence of a new generation of Qatari jewellery designers.

“I think that the local jewellery industry is flourishing especially because there is a new generation interested in this field. We can only expect the industry to prosper,” Fajr Al Attiya told The Peninsula.

Al Attiya belongs to the new breed of local jewellery designers who is starting to make a name in the industry launching her own brand called Trifoglio.

Introducing her brand to the market dominated by well-known international brands has been a challenge, she said.

“Every startup tries to create a mark in the market in which a multitude of foreign brands already exist. This is a big challenge to new brands which they must take into account,” she added.

Nouf Al Meer, another young jewellery designer, was of the same view on the excitement created by an increasing interest among Qatari talents in the field of jewellery making.

“I think that nowadays more and more people are pursuing this career in Qatar. I'm hopeful that this will have an amazing impact on the local jewellery industry as it will expand,” said Al Meer.

It came as a pleasant surprise for jewellery designer Ghada Albuainain to find out the rising presence of Qataris who share the same passion as hers, which could be a push to the local industry.

“I was surprised to know that there were these many great Qatari jewellery designers out there. This made me realise that we will inspire more creative minds to pursue designing, jewellery design in particular,” said Albuainain.

Attiya, Al Meer and Albuainain were speaking on the sidelines of the upcoming 14th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition which, for the first time, will feature the Young Qatari Designers section aimed at giving a boost to emerging local brands. These young designers are among the those whose collections will be displayed alongside famous brands as they feature in the inaugural edition of the initiative - a major highlight of the show.

The annual luxury exhibition, which will open on Monday and run for six days at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, has this year attracted 40 exhibitors from 10 countries showcasing more than 500 brands.

DJWE is the longest-running and one of the most anticipated exhibitions in Qatar’s annual calendar of events and reinforces the country’s position as a premium business events destination.

© The Peninsula 2017