Sayeh Alizade Ahrabi, a student at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE was the main winner at the JAA’s inaugural exhibition of “emerging designers and jewellers aged under 30”.
Ahrabi said her winning piece, titled Grandma House, was inspired by “a Persian wind catcher and traditional Persian architectural elements”.
“These are the design traditions of my home country,” she said.
Ahrabi’s design was one of 18 on display at the JAA International Jewellery Fair in Sydney in the JAA’s ‘On Show’ exhibition.
JAA CEO Ian Hadassin said the exhibition offered apprentices and students an opportunity to showcase innovation, fresh thinking and creativity to over 1000 retailers, wholesalers and suppliers over three days at the industry’s largest trade show.
“It was the inaugural running of such an exhibition at the Fair and we were very pleased with the results”, he said.
“We had 18 young designers showcasing their design and craftsmanship talents, and as we develop the format and increase awareness of the exhibition we hope that number will grow,” he said.
According to Hadassin, “judging of the pieces was conducted via a ‘People’s Choice’ competition during which Ahrabi’s winning piece received an overwhelming amount of votes.
“It was a great honour to receive so many votes from people within the industry,” said Ahrabi.
“It was an opportunity and experience that I’m sure will help me establish my career as an Australian jewellery designer.”
The two runner-ups in the People’s Choice awards were Trent Cullum (Ritchies Jewellers) for Ukiyo No Kaigara (Earthborn Seashell) and Laura Pivovaroff (Class A Manufacturing Jewellers) for Almeta.