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Innovative designs and international ideas converged on the platform of PLATAFRICA 2017, a jewellery design and manufacturing competition presented by Anglo American Platinum in association with The Platinum Guild International (PGI) India and Metal Concentrators. Top aspiring jewellery designers from South Africa got a chance to work on a brief titled ‘Bold minimalism’ keeping in mind the preferences of Indian millennials.
The prestigious competition is open to student, apprentice and professional jewellers in South Africa to promote innovation and technical expertise in the design of platinum jewellery. Vaishali Banerjee, MD of Platinum Guild International, congratulated the winners and began the meet. “This initiative is an opportunity to bring in new ideas and enrich platinum designing in India,” she said.
The judging panel for PLATARICA 2017 was composed of Kirtikumar Devjee of Kirti Jewellers; Pallavi Sharma of Platinum Guild International, India; Charlotte Crosse: Metal Concentrators; and Thomas Kapo: Akapo Jewels. The panel was drawn from the jewellery trade, academia and design industry and the jewellery pieces were scored on five criteria – theme, design, originality, wear-ability and workmanship.
The winning designs at PlatAfrica 2017 had a modern and contemporary style, with a strong influence of the Indian culture. Each piece used the finest attributes of the metal Platinum to bring out the beauty in the design. The winning pieces eloquently captured the essence of the bold minimalism theme which is “less is more”. In the professional category, Ulandie Jonas stood first for her necklace named ‘The Family Bond’ and Nihal Shah stood second for his bracelet, ‘The Indian Amulet’. In the student’s category, Anke Van der Linden came first for her ring ‘Undulation’ while Frazer Schenck stood second for his pendant titled ‘Forgotten triumphs’.
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Sharing her views on the competition, Kleantha Pillay, Head of Market Development, Precious Metals, Anglo American Platinum Limited, said, “PlatAfrica is in its 19thyear and is South Africa’s premier platinum jewellery competition. This year, we again saw some exceptional design pieces that highlighted the unique properties of platinum. With PGI’s encouragement and support, the winners got the opportunity to attend design workshops in Mumbai, developing their talent and broadening their horizons to think about designs for the global markets. We truly value this partnership with PGI which is now in its 2nd year.” Anglo American Platinum Limited is a member of the Anglo American plc Group and is the world’s leading primary producer of platinum group metals.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]THE FAMILY BOND BY ULANDIE JONAS[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3321″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]
The curvilinear patterns of henna in mehendi ceremony of Indian weddings inspired Jonas to create the neckpiece titled ‘The Family Bond’. Connecting the individual designs, the piece is made of polished and black platinum, representing the union of old and new traditions. Jonas also used pearls signifying purity and love to recreate the ambience of Indian marriages where everyone celebrates. The neckpiece could be worn flat and also curves with the body.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INDIAN AMULET BY NIHAL SHAH[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3322″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Entering as a professional competitor in the category for the first time, Shah infused his dedication towards Hindu God Ganesha, catered to the emerging trend of watches and bracelets for men, and created the ‘Indian amulet’. The element in the centre is a contemporary take on Lord Ganesha, considered highly auspicious for new beginnings and also symbolises the elephant, an integral part of South African culture. The Rudraksha beads between the metal pieces offer protection to the wearer from negative energies. The beads named after Lord Shiva also creates a striking father-son union in the platinum piece. Additionally, the red base metal adds an antique feel, and signifies sensuality and purity of the Indian community.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]UNDULATION BY ANKE VAN DER LINDEN[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3323″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Inspired from the spiral earrings by Agata Krzyzanowska and the architecture of the roof of watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet’s headquarters in Switzerland, Van Der Linden created the three- dimensional, double-coiled ring titled ‘Undulation’. Bringing modern trends to the fore, she designed the sculptural statement ring by piercing multiple slits into a long, thin sheet of metal and manipulating it to create a coiled three-dimensional form that adds volume without adding weight. To add extra dimension and emphasis, a smaller coil in an opposing direction was placed inside the larger coil. Combining these multi-dimensional coils is an elegant cross-over band. The statement ring when viewed from different angles creates an ‘optical illusion’.”
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FORGOTTEN TRIUMPHS BY FRASER SCHENCK
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A follower of modern architecture, Schenck drew inspiration of the neckpiece Forgotten Triumphs from The Hall of Nation building, designed by Indian architect Raj Rewal, which was constructed in 1972 as a part of an exhibition complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. He pieced together triangular shapes of platinum and concrete alternately to create an exquisite piece that revelled in its understated elegance. He used concrete to symbolise the concrete features of The Hall of Nation.
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