by Monica Oproiu
This year’s edition of the Inhorgenta Munich trade fair took place from February 20th to 23rd under the motto of “Changing Times, Changing Trends”. The theme perfectly captured the ambivalent climate and current developments in the jewellery and lifestyle industries.
The format of the show entailed six different districts: A1) Timepieces and Lifestyle, reflecting the multifaceted world of watches and lifestyle but with a broader spectrum this year for lifestyle jewellery; A2) Technology; B1) Selection, representing the luxury industry with sophisticated collections and stylish atmosphere; B2) Jewellery, with classical design and truly international ambience uniting exhibitors from Italy, Poland, France and Scandinavia to Nepal; C1)Carat, dedicated to gems and pearls; and, C2) Contemporary Design and Vision, illustrating the innovative side of “Made in Germany” through the Inspiration Lab.
Highlights
The fair was graced by the presence of Sabine Fischer, recently crowned the Beauty of Munich, wearing exquisite pieces at the kick-off press conference. The glamorous mood was further enhanced during the “Magic Moments” Fashion show, which displayed the highlights of the fair.
Men’s jewellery was also emphasized, especially on matters of functionality and design through the launch of new collections, as well as hi-tech trends, featuring exciting seminars dedicated to the future of the watch industry and the incredible advance of smartwatches.
Confronted with the question of “wearables”, the jewellery industry is faced with two choices: to return to the past or to look into the future. For the moment, the tendency is to do both.
Trend expert Irmie Schüch Schamburek argued that the two main trends for 2015 could be called „Structure DNA” and „Past Forward”. The former is centered on new manufacturing methods, smart functions and statement pieces with geometrical, decorative, minimalistic and avant-garde looks.
As the name suggests, the latter trend entails a return to „the good old days”, or even further into the past to antique or baroque art. The idea is to create opulent or exotic jewellery, often featuring XXL color gems or crystals, which remind us of the imperial crowns and scepters of bygone eras.
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- Crivelli
The omnipresent fascination for pearls was acknowledged through the second International Pearl Forum, debating topics as diverse as the current state of the market, success stories of pearl farming in Fiji, the all-time best pearl designs and new design trends in pearl jewellery. Among the highlights, Jorg Heinz’s innovative clasp for pearl strands was praised as the herald of versatility in an era marked by daring concepts.
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- Jorg Heinz
At the same time, Gellner’s new collection of men jewellery by Markus Schenkenberg illustrated the Rock approach to classic Tahiti pearls.
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- Gellner
As far as trends and colours are concerned, several themes can be highlighted:
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- Bernd Wolf
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- Sasonko (left) and Daniel Vior (right)
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- Ernstes Design
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- Coeur de Lion
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- Gellner
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- Carl Schaefer
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- Vladimir Mikhailov (left) and Leo Wittwer (right)
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- Wild&Petsch
The show ended on a positive note, despite the stagnating situation in the industry. 94 percent of the visitors participating to a survey by the market research institute Gelszus Messe-Marktforschung rated Inhorgenta Munich as excellent, very good or good. All in all, exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the frequency of international trade visitors and good sales during the fair.
There were 1,055 exhibitors from 40 countries - among which 233 were new exhibitors - and over 26,000 visitors from more than 75 countries (Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic and Hungary were particularly well represented). The next Inhorgenta will take place at the exhibition grounds of Messe Munchen on February 12-15, 2016, when we will see what the future really holds in store.
