“A new Sri Lankan style” at Jewellery Design Awards
View(s):The nine finalists at this year’s Sri Lanka Jewellery Design Awards are vying for the title of Jewellery Designer of the Year for 2015 in four different categories. The competition which is growing in prestige is organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association. It was held this year under the theme of “A new Sri Lankan style” for local participants and “Exotic Sri Lankan Blue Sapphires” for international participants.
Veda Arachchige Achini Indika
Thamira Sajeewa Thotagamuwa
The local finalists are: Thamira Sajeewa Thotagamuwa, Priyanthie Dammika Kariyawasam, Chathurika Madushani Jayasinghe, Chamini Sajeeva Dasanayake, Achini Indika and Lakisha Weerakoon. Chairman of the organising committee Sellakumar Kandasamy said, “The awards honour outstanding work and applaud the most innovative jewellery designs. With Sri Lanka set to host the 25th anniversary edition of FACETS, the award certainly encapsulates what Sri Lanka has to offer in the form of these gorgeous statement pieces.”
This year’s awards saw 27 local and 21 international applications yielding a final shortlist of nine. The selected local semi-finalists went through a mentoring programme with the Academy of Design (AOD) during which they met with lecturers at the Academy who advised them on the finer points of jewellery design.
The judging panel comprised of eminent industry experts from the fields of art, architecture and design. For the first time, the awards also opened up the opportunity for foreign jewellery designers where they were required to use the Blue Sapphire as a primary gemstone.
Of 26 designs received, three finalists were chosen; Kevin Susanto Ngo from Singapore, Zhang Yee Jing from Malaysia and Dhillon Harleen Kaur from India. With creativity and design being at the heart of the 2015 Awards, the Export Development Board which plays a prominent role in promoting, developing and recognising industry talent said that innovation is the cornerstone of the sector.
Lakisha Weerakoon
“When it comes to precious gemstones, the value addition of it would be in jewellery. For a long time, Sri Lankan jewellery designers have been catering to the international retailers and market but the design segment locally is largely underdeveloped,” said Chairman & Chief Executive of the EDB Bandula Egodage. “It is here that the EDB would like to maximize resources and opportunities to provide artisans an opportunity to gain international exposure whilst uplifting the local gem and jewelry sector.”
He also added the EDB has provided the opportunity for local jewellery manufacturers to showcase their products at the SME Pavilion since 1991. Last year, students of the University of Moratuwa were given the opportunity to present their creations. This year the Sri Lanka College of Technology will be given a free space at the designer corner at the EDB pavilion.
This year’s awards are sponsored by A.M.A. Careem Jewellers, Colombo Jewellery Stores, Devi Jewellers, Lalitha Jewellery Mart Pvt. Ltd, Ravi Jewellers, Sifani Jewellers, Unique Jewellers, and Wellawatta Nithyakalyani Jewellers.