644 students from 46 international jewellery design schools across 10 markets submitted entries
Modern designs represent the rich pearling heritage of Arabia
Dubai, March 30, 2009: The Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE), a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), today announced the ten student finalists of Pearl Essence, the world's first-ever global pearl design initiative encompassing all different types of pearls. Submitted by jewellery design students from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Lebanon, South Africa, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Turkey, the finalist outlines were evaluated for commercial design, wearability, usage of unconventional designs with non traditional material usage and theme-based creativity with pearls as the main design feature.
The international pearl jewellery design programme is specifically focused on pearl-based jewellery designs, influenced by the rich pearling heritage of Arabia and represented in a modern and contemporary fashion. The short-listed ten student designs will be fabricated into finished jewellery by DMCC-nominated manufacturers and pearl sponsors.
Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC said: "The aim of this international pearl jewellery design programme is to highlight Dubai as a centre for the global pearl trade whilst also increasing the visibility of pearls in the fashion industry. The student-tier of 'Pearl Essence' has witnessed extensive international participation from professional jewellery design schools thereby providing a geography-neutral and innovative programme for the international pearl community."
The DPE received a total of 644 student entries encompassing 46 international jewellery design schools across 10 markets. Entries were judged by an international jury, chaired by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC and comprising of trade experts, industry journalists and professional jewellery designers including: Gaiti Rabbani, Executive Director, Precious Gems (Pearls, Diamonds and Coloured Stones), DMCC and Pearl Essence Project Director; Tawfique Abdullah, Chairman, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group; Stephen Webster, Designer and Director, Stephen Webster Ltd; Jorg Gellner, Managing Director, Gellner GmbH & Co; Julia Goh, Managing Editor, Solitaire Magazine; and Melissa Wong, Editor, Jewellery News Asia.
Gaiti Rabbani, Executive Director, Precious Gems (Pearls, Diamonds and Coloured Stones), DMCC said: "We have received excellent response from promising international design students which reinforces the need for an innovative design programme to further develop interest in pearls. The Pearl Essence Student tier creates unique opportunities for networking between young talent and established professionals, with a view to career enhancement. The student's designs were both creative and interesting as they each interpreted the design theme differently."
Fledgling designers will go onto win several prizes in the next round of selection that will determine the final three winners, including a month-long internship with Stephen Webster in London, a week's visit to the pearling operations and pearl farms of Paspaley Pearling Co. in Western Australia, and a pearl course at the Gemmological Institute of America's (GIA's) New York campus. In addition, all ten student finalists received online pearl courses sponsored by GIA.
Further to the ten winning designs, spanning a cross-section of countries, there is an additional Jury's choice award that will be manufactured by Jorg Gellner*. Highlighting the significance of the programme, the remaining designs will be produced by leading pearl manufacturers including ARY Jewelers, Damas, Dhamani, Hof & Co, Liali Jewellery, Mahallati Jewellery, Mikura Pearls, Pinctada, Taiba and Universal Pearls (Umi Pearls). Pearls for the pieces will be provided by the pearl sponsors - Paspaley Pearling Co., Robert Wan Tahiti and Euro Pearls. Christie's has lent its support as Auctioneer and Brinks as Traveling Exhibition Partner for later milestones of the programme.
Pearl Essence is a two-tier programme incorporating both leading professional designers and students of jewellery design. The invitation-only professional designer tier constitutes finished pearl jewellery submitted by the top professional pearl jewellery brands of the moment while the student design tier is an open competition for final year students from schools that offer a minimum two-year full time jewellery design course.
DPE's two-year Pearl Essence programme will culminate in a gala event in Dubai, which will include an exhibition showcasing the jewellery created by designer brands as well as students and an awards ceremony to select and honour three winning students. In addition, the final pearl jewellery collection will form part of a six-month travelling exhibition.
* PEARL ESSENCE _ Winning Designs | |||
Student Name | Institute | Country | Pearl Category |
Belinda Koopman | Enmore Design Centre Tafe NSW | Australia | Combination |
Joanne Piper | Design Centre Enmore | Australia | Combination |
Yuki Shizuno | Hiko Mizund College Of Jewellery | Japan | South Sea |
Feng Feng | Raffles Design Institute Singapore | Singapore | South Sea |
Reinhardt Van Zyl | Tshwane University Of Technology | South Africa | Fresh Water |
Dao Ying | School Of Art And Design Tsinghua University | China | Fresh Water |
Asako Oshima | Japan Jewelry Craft School | Japan | Akoya |
Yang Xing | Vacation School In China Academy Of Art | China | Akoya |
Ho Cheuk Fung | Hong Kong Institute Of Vocational Education | Hong Kong | Tahitian |
Hong Wangke | Vocational School In China Academy Of Art | China | Tahitian |
* PEARL ESSENCE - Jury's Choice Award Winner | |||
Student Name | Institute | Country | Pearl Category |
Catherine Buman | Enmore Design Centre Sydney Institute of Tafe | Australia | Akoya |
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The Dubai Pearl Exchange (DPE) is a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a Dubai Government initiative. An exclusive trading platform for the pearls industry, the DPE facilitates the pearl trade through a "one-stop shop" structured, service-oriented platform for members only with objective of reinstating Dubai as the world's largest pearl centre. Membership fosters increased business opportunities with international and regional players in the natural and cultured pearls industry through various value added initiatives.
Visit www.dpe.ae
© Press Release 2009
