South African Jewellery Week (SAJW) is an organization that puts the spotlight and upliftment on the contemporary South African Jewellery sector. Something that has not been done before in Africa.
Bespoke pieces for unique individuals
SAJW offers young jewellery creatives the opportunity and platform to excite audiences and showcase their skills alongside seasoned and recognized jewellery designers. The work is distinctive, adaptable and pertinent to the South African market. By identifying designs that are unique to the South African culture and identity, SAJW aims to lead the contemporary Jewellery market. Furthermore, SAJW will be a hub for up and coming creatives and provide opportunities for designers to interact and hone their craft.
South African Jewellery Week
SAJW offers bespoke pieces to a specific sector of the jewellery market. Individuals and organisations who seek a more contemporary style and design. These pieces are then showcased at the SAJW pop up events at the end of every year. The pop up events are merely a preview for the main event. “We have a panel of highly skilled judges who select pieces based on their wearability, design and craftsmanship.
The judges are Geraldine Fenn, Lincoln Mokoena, Sthandiwe Kgoroge and Joani Groenewald. They are judging the SAJW competition only, which is still open”, shares Khanya Mthethwa, CO-Founder of South African Jewellery Week.
SAJW x NYCJW
This year, SAJW has collaborated with the New York City Jewellery Week (NYCJW) to showcase some of South Africa’s best contemporary jewellery. The event featured pieces from designers such as Lesego Lekgoe of Sekgosi. Dust Designs, Noxolo Mseleku of Elegante by Noxolo. Joani Groenewald, Changing Facets jewellery, Mmeshi Nkadimeng, Co-Founder and Director of SA Jewellery Week. As well as Thato Radebe, multi-award-winning jewellery designer and lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.
The event took place from 16 November to Sunday 22 November 2020. It was pre-recorded and will be made available to view online on the New York City Jewellery Week website.
“For the NYCJW collaboration we selected the professional jewellers who had already submitted their entry forms before lockdown and extending the closing date”, says Khanya.
This years’ event featured a panel discussion with industry experts, conversations around men and jewellery. It took a look into Imperial Russian Jewellery and dialogues about collaborations and various workshops.
The event showcased the best in contemporary colourful jewellery with unique and interesting pieces made from various stones, jewels and metal. Watch the full event here
