|
|
Exclusive Diamond Evening to Celebrate Antwerp & Shanghai
Sep 28, 2014 8:30 AM
By AWDC
|
|
|
Press Release: In the context of the 30th anniversary of the strong ties between the Belgian city of Antwerp and Shanghai, Antwerp’s two major export products, diamonds and designer wear, are joining forces. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and BVBA 32, the financial force behind fashion designers Ann Demeulemeester, Haider Ackermann and Jean-Paul Lespagnard, will be organizing an exclusive diamond evening with fashion show in Shanghai on October 14.
Chinese consumers account for almost a third of global sales in luxury goods. Diamonds and designer clothes in particular, two commodities Antwerp is known for, are favored by the Chinese.
"China is the fastest growing market for diamonds," said Margaux Donckier, the spokeswoman for the AWDC. "The U.S. market has been on top for years, but is now rapidly being overtaken by China. The diamond market in China has a value of approximately $75 billion, a 25 percent increase compared with five years ago. The value of the Chinese diamond market is even expected to exceed $100 billion by 2015. As a result, China will be on the same level as the U.S. in the field of jewelry by 2020.”
The growing popularity of diamonds is due to young Chinese couples, who increasingly find that a diamond engagement ring is the only way to officially declare their eternal love for each other.
"For years now, China’s market for luxury goods has been growing tremendously. Next to the classic luxury brands, designer fashion is increasingly finding its way to China,” said Anne Chapelle, the CEO of BVBA3. "In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable growth of our brands. In cooperation with our local retail partner we have been able to open up a number of flagship stores and shop-in-shops as well."
Cooperation Agreements
Given the potential of the Chinese market, this mission is of economic importance to the AWDC. A number of memorandums of understanding with the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) will be renewed on the spot. That means AWDC and SDE will collaborate even more intensely. Both cities will actively promote each other as a center for diamond trade. The high quality of Belgian diamonds and the "Cut in Antwerp" quality label will be put forward even more. The "Antwerp's Most Brilliant" quality label, reserved for Antwerp jewelers who meet all quality standards, will be actively promoted to Chinese who travel to Europe.
To promote this mission, the AWDC is organizing an exclusive event that brings diamond traders and fashion lovers together. The event will be followed by a gala dinner that will be officially opened by the mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever.
During the evening, guests will get to see a unique fashion show by three Antwerp designers of international fame (Ann Demeulemeester, Haider Ackermann and Jean-Paul Lespagnard). The models will be wearing diamonds supplied by Antwerp diamond companies.
"The three designers will each show their unique view on fashion," according to Chapelle. "The promising young Jean-Paul Lespagnard will present his eclectic collection accessorized with contrasting diamond jewelry. Haider Ackermann will be showing a selection from his oeuvre, intended to match the timeless image of the diamond jewelry that was designed especially for this event. Finally, Ann Demeulemeester has had her own successful jewelry collection since 2006. All diamonds shown during the event are authentic, some of them designed exclusively for the occasion."
This exclusive evening is sponsored by Silk Road Diamonds.
About AWDC
Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) is the coordinating body and the official representative of the Antwerp diamond sector. AWDC promotes the entire diamond industry at home and abroad and is internationally recognized as the host, spokesperson and intermediary for the entire Belgian diamond community. Eighty-four percent of all rough diamonds and 50 percent of all polished diamonds pass through Antwerp. Diamonds represent 5 percent of the total Belgian exports and 15 percent of all Belgian exports outside the EU, making diamonds the most important export product outside the EU.
Rapaport News is not responsible for, and does not endorse, the content of any third-party press release. This is not a Rapaport Press Release. It has been provided as additional information for our clients.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tags:
AWDC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|