JNA Jewellery Design Competition 2018/19 Unveils Elite Judging Panel Driving Global Innovation

The highly anticipated JNA Jewellery Design Competition 2018/19 has proudly announced its distinguished panel of judges, a stellar assembly of luminaries drawn from the diverse worlds of design, high jewellery, and the arts. This prestigious competition stands as a beacon for creativity and innovation within the global jewellery industry, and its success hinges on the expertise and integrity of those tasked with evaluating the next generation of masterpieces.

Organised by JNA of UBM Asia, a leading voice in the jewellery trade, the competition receives invaluable support from its esteemed sponsors: Crossfor Co Ltd, the pioneers of the revolutionary “Dancing Stone” technology; Platinum Guild International (PGI), the authoritative body for platinum jewellery; and the Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong (TPAHK), dedicated to promoting the exquisite beauty of Tahitian pearls. This powerful collaboration underscores the competition’s commitment to pushing boundaries across various material categories and design concepts.

Fostering Creativity: The Vision Behind the JNA Jewellery Design Competition

The JNA Jewellery Design Competition was established with a clear and ambitious mission: to identify, nurture, and celebrate exceptional talent in jewellery design worldwide. It serves as a vital platform for emerging and established designers alike to showcase their creativity, challenge conventional norms, and contribute to the evolution of contemporary jewellery aesthetics. By focusing on specific categories—Tahitian Pearl, Dancing Stone, and Platinum—the competition encourages designers to explore the unique properties and potential of these materials, leading to breathtaking and often groundbreaking creations.

The organisers, JNA of UBM Asia, have a long-standing reputation for championing excellence and innovation in the jewellery industry. Their expertise in media and events ensures the competition reaches a global audience, providing unparalleled exposure for participants. The generous sponsorship from Crossfor Co Ltd, PGI, and TPAHK not only provides the necessary resources for a world-class event but also highlights their dedication to fostering a vibrant and innovative design community. Their involvement ensures that the competition remains at the forefront of material innovation and market relevance, setting new benchmarks for jewellery design.

A Meticulous and Transparent Judging Process

The integrity and credibility of any design competition rest squarely on its judging process. For its inaugural edition, the JNA Jewellery Design Competition has implemented a rigorous, fair, and transparent two-part evaluation system. The independent judging panel, meticulously chosen for their extensive knowledge, diverse expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence, will meticulously assess each entry.

Submissions will be critically judged on several key parameters: adherence to the competition’s overarching theme, the originality of the design concept, sheer creativity and artistic merit, aesthetic appeal and visual impact, and importantly, market potential and commercial viability. This holistic approach ensures that winning designs are not only beautiful and innovative but also possess the inherent qualities to resonate with consumers and influence future jewellery trends. The panel’s collective experience guarantees that every piece is evaluated with the highest standards, ensuring that only the most deserving talents are recognised and celebrated.

Meet the Distinguished Panel of Judges: Guiding the Future of Jewellery Design

The strength of the JNA Jewellery Design Competition lies in the caliber of its judging panel. Comprising internationally renowned designers, artists, industry veterans, and market specialists, this esteemed group brings a wealth of experience, diverse perspectives, and unparalleled expertise to the evaluation process. Their collective wisdom will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of jewellery design.

Chairman: Fei Liu – The Visionary Designer

Serving as the esteemed Chairman of the judging panel is Fei Liu, the visionary founder and designer of Fei Liu Fine Jewellery. A graduate of the internationally renowned Birmingham School of Jewellery, Liu honed his craft working with a prominent Italian jeweller before launching his eponymous brand in 2006. His unique design philosophy seamlessly blends Eastern sensibilities with Western influences, resulting in exquisite pieces that captivate a global audience. Liu’s innovative approach and commercial acumen have earned him significant accolades, including the coveted UKJA Designer of the Year award in 2016 and China’s Harper Bazaar Designer of the Year in 2012. With his jewellery sold in over 155 boutiques across the UK, Germany, China, and beyond, Fei Liu’s leadership as chairman ensures a profound understanding of both artistic merit and market appeal in the judging process.

Judge: Bradley Theodore – An Artistic Powerhouse

Bringing a vibrant, avant-garde artistic perspective to the panel is New York City-based visual artist Bradley Theodore. Born in Turks & Caicos, Theodore initially garnered widespread recognition for adorning the city’s streets with striking, chromatic murals. His signature skeletal style, depicting contemporary pop culture and fashion royalty, quickly made him a celebrated figure in the art world. This multi-disciplinary artist’s extensive body of work includes distinctive, colourful portraits of iconic figures such as Queen Elizabeth, George Washington, Anna Wintour, and Karl Lagerfeld. Theodore’s unique artistic journey and perspective were captured in the independent film, “Becoming: Bradley Theodore,” which premiered to critical acclaim at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Having held numerous solo exhibitions globally and collaborated with several iconic brands, Bradley Theodore’s presence on the panel guarantees an appreciation for bold creativity and artistic originality.

Judge: Robert Tateossian – The King of Cufflinks

From a distinguished career in city finance to establishing a global luxury brand, Robert Tateossian founded his eponymous Tateossian London brand in 1990. His mission was to offer men and women a distinctive and sophisticated avenue to express their individual personality and style through exquisite accessories. Widely acclaimed as the ‘King of Cufflinks,’ a title earned through his incredibly successful and innovative range of cufflinks, Tateossian’s designs are deeply inspired by his cosmopolitan upbringing, a profound love for luxury, and extensive global travels. His pieces are renowned for their uncompromising quality and innovative mechanisms, delivering distinctive yet eminently wearable jewellery. The Tateossian brand has been a three-time recipient of the prestigious UK British Export Award for Accessories, a testament to its international success and pioneering spirit. Robert’s keen appreciation for intricate mechanisms, refined aesthetics, and the unconventional brings an invaluable blend of design expertise and commercial understanding to the judging panel.

Judge: Christie Dang – A Voice of the Industry

Recognised for her unwavering dedication, professionalism, and profound passion for the jewellery and gemstone industry, Christie Dang is a pivotal figure on the judging panel. Having been with UBM Asia’s Jewellery Media Group (formerly Jewellery Publishing Group) since 1997, Christie has dedicated over two decades to shaping the narrative of the industry. Her extensive global travels have seen her reporting on the most critical developments in the gemstone and jewellery trade, from navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by burgeoning markets like mainland China to detailing the latest technological innovations and design trends impacting the global jewellery landscape. For more than 20 years, she expertly led CJNA, one of the most influential jewellery publications in the Greater China region. Her exceptional leadership and insight led to her promotion in August 2017 to publisher and editor-in-chief of the entire JNA group of publications. Christie Dang’s deep understanding of market dynamics, industry trends, and journalistic integrity makes her an indispensable voice in evaluating the competition entries.

Specialized Category Judges: Unrivaled Expertise for Targeted Innovation

To ensure unparalleled expertise in each of the competition’s distinct categories, a panel of specialist judges, each a renowned authority in their field, has been appointed. This targeted approach ensures that entries are evaluated not only on their overall design merit but also on their innovative use and understanding of the specific materials.

Tahitian Pearl Category Judge: Ida Wong – The Pearl Advocate

Ida Wong serves as the dedicated Tahitian Pearl Category Judge, leveraging her role as General Manager of the Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong (TPAHK). With over 15 years of extensive experience in marketing and jewellery promotion, Ida has been a tireless advocate for Tahitian pearls. She has actively spearheaded numerous initiatives, including strategic sponsorships and impactful marketing campaigns, significantly contributing to heightened awareness and appreciation of these magnificent gems among designers, wholesalers, retailers, and discerning consumers. Ida Wong’s vast and intimate knowledge of Tahitian pearls, encompassing their quality, provenance, and design potential, has made her a highly sought-after judge, adviser, and committee member for prestigious international jewellery design competitions. Her discerning eye ensures that Tahitian pearl entries are judged by the highest standards of beauty and innovation.

Dancing Stone Category Judge: Hidetaka Dobashi – The Innovation Maestro

Leading the evaluation for the groundbreaking Dancing Stone category is Hidetaka Dobashi, a distinguished gemmologist and a true maestro of innovation. His entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Dobashi Jewelry Trading in 1980, followed by Shibado Co Ltd in 1987. In 1999, he established Crossfor Co Ltd, a company that would soon revolutionize the jewellery world. Just two years later, Dobashi secured the patent for the ‘Crossfor Cut,’ a unique and intricate technique designed to significantly enhance diamond brilliance through an elaborate 46 facets. Building on this success, Crossfor Co Ltd again broke new ground in jewellery manufacturing in 2011 with the global launch of the patented “Dancing Stone” technology – a mesmerising mechanism that sets a centre stone in perpetual, vibrant motion. Dobashi’s relentless passion for innovation, sharp business acumen, and inspired leadership have consistently propelled Crossfor Co Ltd to unprecedented heights, culminating in the company’s listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (JASDAQ) in 2017. His profound understanding of cutting-edge jewellery technology and design mechanics makes him the ideal judge for this dynamic category.

Platinum Category Judge: Suzanne Wong – Championing Platinum Excellence

Overseeing the Platinum category is Suzanne Wong, the Senior Product Manager of Platinum Guild International (PGI). With an impressive career spanning over 25 years in the jewellery industry, Suzanne has amassed invaluable experience working with renowned jewellery brands and leading retailers, particularly within the dynamic Chinese market. She is a recognised expert in jewellery design, research and development (R&D), and strategic market positioning. Suzanne Wong adeptly harnesses her extensive product development expertise, further enriched by her GIA Gemologist, Diamonds, and Colored Stones diplomas, to champion the development of innovative and captivating jewellery designs specifically crafted in platinum. Her deep insight into the unique properties, design potential, and market demands of platinum ensures that entries in this category are assessed with unparalleled authority and a forward-thinking perspective.

Shaping the Future: The Impact of the JNA Jewellery Design Competition

The JNA Jewellery Design Competition 2018/19 stands as a pivotal event in the global jewellery calendar. The unveiling of such an eminent and diverse judging panel underscores the competition’s commitment to excellence and its ambition to unearth truly groundbreaking talent. With a meticulous judging process and the collective wisdom of these industry titans, the competition is poised to not only recognise outstanding individual designers but also to inspire a new wave of innovation and creativity across the entire jewellery sector. The fusion of artistic vision, technical mastery, and market understanding represented by this panel will undoubtedly elevate the standards of jewellery design and help shape the trends of tomorrow, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic future for the industry.

News Source: jewellerynet.com