Women jewellers steal the spotlight

Every edition of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) has witnessed the growing participation of women as both entrepreneurs as well as buyers. The 15th edition of the prestigious event concluded yesterday.Zarmik Chakardemian (left), Channtal and Mirielle Demirjian  “Most of the participating companies have recognised the presence of women who perform as designers and concept-makers, and also as entrepreneurs,” said a senior participant who has been a regular presence since the very first edition of the exhibition in 2004.There were more than a dozen women directly leading their companies’ sales teams at the exhibition at Alfardan Jewellery pavilion alone.  Among them was Hong Kong-based Lakshmi Papu Butani, wife of Papu Butani, who has been doing business in Qatar for more than four decades now.Lakshmi, who was a professor of microbiology at one of the universities in Hong Kong, is at the forefront of her company’s (Butani Jewellery) operations, assisting Papu and their twin sons Manoj and Mahesh. “I started actively associating with the business more than 25 years ago and now I know what exactly are the tastes, interests  and requirements of the buyers in Qatar,” she recalled.Zarmik Chakardemian of Beirut’s Yeprem Jewellery and her sons John and Loutfic are now household names among the Doha clientele. While bringing the Armenian artistry, skill and enterprise to Qatar, Chakardemians showcased a large number of unique diamond-studded ornaments at their booth at the Alfardan Jewellery pavilion. “We are thankful to the support and patronage extended to us by the customers in Qatar. Though their tastes and requirements are fast changing, it has been an interesting experience doing business in this country,’ said Zarmik. Loutfic’s wife Channtal, who has also joined the business, was active at the show.The activities of more-than-a-century-old Hong Kong-headquartered Entice Jewellery  have been gaining attention for the last 4-5 years at the show.  Keeping in mind the interests of their growing women clientele in Doha, Sanjay Kothari, who heads the jewellery’s operations, had deployed Harleen Kaur, a young woman for the expo.The company’s manager (sales) Sushoban Chaudhary felt the presence of women at the booth would go down well with Qatari women customers. Kaur said she considers herself extremely lucky to have participated and attended to the requirements of customers of  a growing but competitive market as Doha. Kamo Arazi from New York, who accompanied her husband Albir Arazi at the show, was pleased with the response that their boutique has received in Doha. Besides several expensive ornaments,  the booth also had on offer high-end diamond-studded pens the prices of which were in the range of $100,000-$150,000.  Albir, who is the president of his nearly 30-year-old company, said unlike other booths he received a number of male customers at their counter. Kamo, who is the managing director of their firm, said Qatar has been a fast growing market for not only jewels but also for luxury premium accessories.  Seena Zaveri, who made her debut in Qatar this year with her cousins under the banner of K P International, (Mumbai) said she is extremely happy with the response their company has received from the country’s customers. “We are certain to return to Doha for next year as the customers as well as the pavilion owners have been extremely supportive,” said Seena, who plans to bring more of emeralds and sapphires to Qatar in future.  “Even though they are inclined to traditional Arab designs, it has come to my attention that they are equally receptive to changes,” she said.While recalling that their company had a fairly good experience at the show when they made their Doha debut  last year,  Purnima  Sheth of Mumbai’s Rose Jewellery said it has been because of such remarkable patronage that she returned to the expo this year. “Now, I’m more familiar to the buyers here and have studied their requirements better than before.”Goldesign booth at the Alfardan pavilion attracted a large number of visitors throughout the expo as they showcased a number of unique collections. The only outlet from South America to participate in the expo, the Brazilian company managed by Marcelo Albuquereue and his wife Ana Marcelo showcased several pieces made of aquamarine stones.  Ana, a designer, has been actively involved in the company’s businesses.  Young  designer Anar Bhansali of New York, who is accompanying her father (and veteran designer) Sameer Bhansali, was of great praise for her company’s patrons in Qatar. “This year, we had some good deals and youngsters showed more interest in the kinds of pieces that our company offered at the exhibition.  This would prompt us to participate again in a happening place like Doha,” said the young entrepreneur.Pannu Bhansali of Jodhpur has been  successful in drawing the attention of Doha clientele for the last several years  since she started taking part in the exhibition. “Our company has so many exquisite collections which have gone down well with our ever supportive customers here.”  One of her emerald necklaces, which costs more than QR1.2mn, had some serious inquiries in the local market.Many of her own jewellery featured in some of the recent Bollywood hits. “Some of which were showcased in Qatar this time.”There are also other women entrepreneurs like Katia Olivucci of Italy and Pooja Zhaveri of India who too expressed happiness at the favourable response at this year’s show.  Olivucci’s company Ferraris Gioielli had showcased a number of bridal collections in her booth while Pooja’s Arzona booth was well-received by local customers.