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Jewellery
met fashion -- with some very dramatic results - in the winning works
from AngloGold Ashanti's Riches of Africa 2004 gold jewellery design
competition. The 25-piece collection in 18K gold featured many amazing
creations.
"Fire" was the theme, as
the Riches of Africa attracted an incredible 459 entries who submitted
a record 1189 designs - more than 5 times the number of pieces entered
for the first competition held 6 years ago.
From a fire-breathing dragon to a
phoenix rising from the ashes - from volcanoes and stars - to Catherine
Wheels and runaways fires, the 24 winners drew upon diverse inspirational
sources to come up with an imaginative set of designs. The winners
come from across South Africa, with 14 being students of jewellery design.
The winning designs in this extraordinary
competitio) were chosen by a panel that included an international leads
in jewellery marketing, Jan Springer, from the World Gold Council; jewellery
designers Isa Gesseau, Gilbert Torres aii Johan Louw - who was the overall
winner of the 2003 competition, fashion designer Gavin Rajah, and the
fashion editorof Elle magazine, Shaldon Kopman.
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1
Riches of africa-gold bangle, designed by Veronique Blignaut-inspired by
the Chiness fire dragon.
2 Riches of africa -a two-tone yellow & rose gold bange, designed
by llze oberholzer-inspired by the warmth of a camp fire.
3 Riches of Africa-tri-colour bangle, designed by Emile Strauss Pitout-inspired
by the colours of heat, friction, movement&balance in nature.
4 Riches of Africa-hair pin, made from rose&yellow gold, designed
by Lynnae Lyons-inspired by the way a fire mesmerizes you.
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Gavin
Rajah said, "What captured my attention as; fashion designer was
the fact that the collection is contemporary, and on par with international
trends. This is importanti we aim to seek global attention and recognition
for our ere-ative industries in South Africa."
Entrants to the competition
were required to submit ree designs - for pieces of jewellery in 18K gold
- yellow, ose and white gold were all permitted, and up to a maximum it
of 400 grams — to the preliminary judging session. ere, the 25 designs
were chosen, and AngloGold Ashanti rovided their creators with the gold
required for the manu-acture of their works. Once the pieces had been
manufac-ured, they were then assessed according to 6 criteria - interrelation
of the theme - originality - aesthetic impact - feasi-ility and functionality-visual
impact, and quality of manufac- ture.
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1 Riches
oof Africa-yellow gold backpiece, designed by Natanya Ven Niekerk-inspired
by golden flame caressing the flesh as it wraps around the body.
2 Riches of Africa-headpiece made from cherry wood beads&yellow
gold teardrops, designed by Lungile Maseko-inspired by the shapes
of molten wax from a burning candle
3 Riches of Africa overall winner-gold headpiece, designed
by Adele Pretorius-inspired by shooting stars burning though the atmosphere.
4 Riches of Africa-yellow gold chest piece, designed by Mangaliso
Buzani-inspired by a starry night, with stars burning in the heavens.
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Sbaldon
Kopman, the fashion editor of Elle magazine, luth Africa, said, "The
overall manufacturing was of a high andard. In particular, I focused on
the visual impact and imfort. I am pleased with the progress that we South
Afri-ins have shown in the past decade - we are hot."
The overall winner of the competition
is 24-year-old lele Pretorius, a final-year student at the Durban Institute
of Technology. Adele drew inspiration from shooting stars and comets for
her headpiece. She has plans to start her own jewellery label when her
studies are over.
Second place went to Alet-Marie van
Zyl, 25, a professional jewellery designer/manufacturer from Johannesburg.
Her mask represented the power of gold. She was also third in last year's
competition.
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Lungile
Maseko, 23, who is a jewellery design training officer in Pretoria, was
placed third. He fashioned his headpiece to create the effect of melting
wax from a burning candle.
AngloGold Ashanti established the
Riches of Africa competition to encourage innovative gold jewellery design,
and the event is used as a platform for promoting gold jewellery of South
Africa designs and manufacture to national and international audiences,
www.anglogoldashanti.com.
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Swarovksi has presented its look into the five
dominant fashion trends for the Fall/ Winter 2005/2006 season.
The new trends have been developed from research undertaken
by Swarovski's own trend specialists, international experts,
and cooperation with top fashion houses.
Five trends have
been identified by Swarovski for the Fall/Winter 2005/2006
season - Silent Codes - Winter Passion - Delicate Twists -
Exquisite Cuts - Culture Flashes.
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Silent
Codes, says Swarovski fulfills the desire to integrate individual,
stark elements into our daily lives, and make them ourown.
Light colors are favoured, such as white, peach, topaz, peridot
and opal. Clearly defined, but discreet styles are represented
in Silent Codes.
Winter Passion
represents a return to the comfort zone of mother earth, says
Swarovski. Rooted in the honesty and warmth of long held traditions,
it will provide much needed shelter from the elements. Dark,
intense colors, such as amethysts and emerald offer the promise
of protection from the storm. Designers draw on traditional
craft techniques.
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The
Delicate Twist trend illustrates the Santastic and fragile
world we all live in, says Swarovski. Styles will be
fragile and delicate, representing a romantic turn --
intricate, discreet and fine. Colors will reflect the
deep forest-green, purple and brown.
The
Exquisite Cuts trend is an expression of classic sensuality
with cutting edge, says Swarovksi. Exquiste Cuts provides
economy of form and is cool-with an expression of modern
confidence and simple seductiveness. The style offers
an alluring, sophisticated style, similar to the golden
age of Hollywood.Crystal is a natural embodiment of
this style, its modernity and couture feel contriving
to create elaborate feminine fashions.
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Culture
Flashes bring a glamorous exaggeration of the
past and future, says Swarovksi. Natural stones
will mix with crystal.
Crystal
represents yellow, pink, turquoise and violet
of neon lights, while also representing the classical
luxury of gold and black.
Crystal
as a stylistic device will be exaggerating, energetic,
but always harmonious, producing an effect that
is futuristic and extreme.
www. swarovski.com
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Riches
of Africa firing the emotions
