Twenty Emirati Designers Debut at Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show
A historic milestone for the Emirati Goldsmiths platform as twenty women designers showcase innovative collections blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design at Sharjah's prestigious exhibition.
The Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show in Sharjah has become a showcase for emerging Emirati creative talent, with twenty women designers making their inaugural appearance under the prestigious Emirati Goldsmiths platform. Running from 30th September to 4th October and organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the exhibition celebrates the region’s jewellery and watchmaking excellence.
The Emirati Goldsmiths initiative represents a strategic commitment to nurturing national talent and supporting young entrepreneurs in the creative industries. The platform provides emerging designers with crucial market exposure and professional networking opportunities with leading manufacturers and international industry experts. This year’s participation marks a significant expansion, bringing together twenty debut designers whose work reflects the versatility and ingenuity of the UAE’s contemporary jewellery sector.
The collections on display encompass a sophisticated range of materials and inspirations. Designers have created pieces featuring gold, diamonds, pearls and gemstones, many drawing artistic direction from the UAE’s rich cultural heritage. This thoughtful integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetic sensibilities demonstrates the ability of national talent to create distinctive jewellery concepts that resonate with contemporary consumers whilst honouring the region’s design legacy.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, emphasised that the chamber’s backing for the Emirati Goldsmiths platform reflects recognition of the creative industries as vital to the knowledge economy and economic diversification. The initiative facilitates the transition of local innovation from regional success to international markets, strengthening the UAE’s position in global jewellery and gemstone industries.
Mona Al Suwaidi, Director of the Executive Office of the SCCI Chairman and head of the Emirati Goldsmiths platform, highlighted the chamber’s unwavering commitment to fostering the next generation of women entrepreneurs in jewellery design and craftsmanship. The platform creates meaningful professional engagement opportunities between emerging designers and established industry figures.
The exhibition also features the ‘Sharjah Pearls’ pavilion, returning for a second consecutive year as part of a strategic partnership between SCCI and Suwaidi Pearls. This specialised showcase celebrates the intersection of traditional maritime heritage and contemporary innovation, reviving the legacy of pearl diving and preserving the oral history and craftsmanship of previous generations.
Among standout presentations, Eman Al Shawab, founder of Leap of Faith Fine Jewellery, unveiled an 18-karat gold collection emphasising the inherent beauty of raw gemstones with minimal processing. Her approach ingeniously combines geological education with unconventional design concepts. Eman Al Marzouqi, founder of Emma Couture, demonstrated a three-year design philosophy grounded in Emirati identity, employing the Damask rose as a distinctive visual signature. Afra Saeed Al Suwaidi introduced Setami Jewellery, inspired by traditional Emirati goldsmithing patterns and the distinctive motifs of Al Diqqa Al Qadeema.
Source: WAM