The Jewellery Boutique Show, opens the 70th anniversary of the gold and jewellery event in Vicenza. From today until Tuesday 23rd January, Italian Exhibition Group's international show will host over 1,300 exhibiting brands from 37 countries occupying the entire Vicenza Expo Centre. Not only Made in Italy since 40% of the halls are occupied by international exhibitors and about 600 buyers from 72 countries are being hosted, thanks to the support of ITA - Italian Trade Agency’s network of offices around the world, for the event that opens the international gold and jewellery trade show calendar. Vicenzaoro is a place for global networking, trend previews and is an event that combines innovation, information and training for the entire gold and jewellery supply chain. Vicenzaoro January opened its doors together with T.Gold, the international gold and jewellery technology and machinery exhibition. Last but not least, VO Vintage, the marketplace dedicated to fine vintage watches and jewellery (open to the public in the Expo Centre foyer until Monday 22nd).

IEG president Maurizio Renzo Ermeti: The investment of approximately 60 million euros, entirely self-financed, which starts with the demolition of the “snail” to make way for a new 22,000 square metre hall, will completely change the layout of our events. It is the first step towards the next 70 years.

The opening ceremony, at which radio presenter, Matteo Caccia, retraced the 70 years of Vicenza’s gold shows in an ideal recital, was attended by Maurizio Renzo Ermeti, President of Italian Exhibition Group, Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region, Giacomo Possamai, Mayor of Vicenza, Matteo Zoppas, President of ITA, Andrea Nardin, President of the Province of Vicenza, Claudia Piaserico, President of Federorafi. The Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, also gave a message by video.

THE ITALIAN GOLD-JEWELLERY SECTOR: NEW CHALLENGES IN A CONSTANTLY CHANGING SCENARIO

For 2023, the percentage of companies operating in the gold and jewellery sector that declared a growth in turnover rose to 44% (from 39% in the June edition). While for 2024, operators' expectations show greater caution, especially smaller companies; on the other hand, 50% of medium-large companies expect their turnovers to increase.

While the ISTAT production index showed a gradual slowdown during 2023, causing the figure for the first 10 months to record a slight decrease (-1.4%), it was nevertheless more contained compared to the fashion system (-6.6%). In 2022, Italy confirmed its position as the sector’s leading European exporter with €8.2 billion, and fifth in the world with a share of 10.1%, a clear improvement compared to the 8.3% in 2019. This is the picture that emerged from the fifth edition of the economic survey entitled “The Italian gold sector: new challenges in a constantly changing scenario”, conducted by Intesa Sanpaolo for Club degli Orafi and presented on the opening day of Vicenzaoro January.

JEWELLERY TRENDS ACCORDING TO TRENDVISION

Trendvision, Italian Exhibition Group’s independent observatory, directed by Paola De Luca, has identified five trends characterising the collections presented at Vicenzaoro January 2024. “Urban Essentials” celebrates the essential and mixes industrial materials, such as titanium or ceramics, with refined, minimalist details inspired by urban, gender-neutral architecture. Style options include transformable pieces, earrings with removable parts and layered bracelets. The neutral colour palette of black, white, gun-metal grey and deep metallic tones allows for customised combinations. “Craftcore” represents reconnection with the past and “family treasure”, from cameos to repechage coins blended into the design. “Naturadelic" embodies the bold fusion of the natural world with psychedelic aesthetics: nature fused with vibrant colours, organic shapes and innovative materials. The absolute freedom to interpret personal style is a question of “Storystyling”: the art of combining and layering jewellery in unconventional ways to tell distinct stories and reflect the personality of the wearer. Chains lend themselves well to creative ways of layering jewellery. Lastly, “Patternology”, with contrasting colour palettes, stylised graphics and patterns featuring simple yet sophisticated geometric shapes that echo vintage appeal, such as the timeless Art Deco or retro-futuristic vibes of the 1970s.

TOP BRANDS AT VICENZAORO JANUARY

For the high-end range in Vicenzaoro showcases, luxury brands from the Italian gold districts, together with the best of European production with numerous companies from Germany, France and Spain. Damiani, Roberto Coin, Crivelli, FOPE, which combines patented technology to make gold chains flexible with clasps hidden among diamonds. For the first time at Vicenzaoro, Vhernier's sculpture jewellery. And Annamaria Cammilli, Roberto De Meglio, Palmiero, Chantecler, Gismondi 1754. For the internationals: from Germany, Schreiner Fine Jewellery, Hans Krieger, Giloy, Breuning, Niessing, Jörg Heinz and Heinz Mayer, with Dámaso Martinez, Carrera y Carrera and Facet from Spain and creations by the French companies, Akillis and Djula, the Australian Autore and Fabergé.