Mehul Choksi, chairman, Gitanjali group and Celina Jaitley, brand ambassador, at the fashon show where the tie-up with Krrish was announced

Offence is the best form of defence. Following this adage, the Gitanjali group, in the face of increasing competition, has launched an aggressive marketing plan to enlarge its network in both national and international markets. Its branding activity in India is also seeing a surge.

The group intends to open five exclusive outlets and 30 stores in the country. Also on the anvil are plans to set up JVs with partner stores in the UK, US and China. It already has outlets in Japan and West Asia. The expansion plan, spread over three years, is being backed by a budget of US$ 8 million.

It is further strengthening its position in the subcontinent by creating jewellery for a Bollywood movie, Krrish. The movie is a sequel to the popular Koi Mil Gaya and is due for release next year. The collection, in sync with the movie's storyline, is described as futuristic.

D'damas
In a related development, D'damas, a joint-venture between the Gitanjali and Damas groups, has associated itself with the Indian Film Academy Awards popularly known as IIFA. The high-profile awards held in Amsterdam received intense media attention in India. A fashion show and a celebrity cricket match were also held on the sidelines of the event.

Raj Collection

Jaali collection

I t's that time of the year again when award-winning, fine couture jewellery manufacturer, Sama Jewellery is set to launch its annual collections. The fall-winter 2005-2006 collections are in line with Sama's style of creating distinct, contemporary and avant-garde jewellery.

The six signature lines Raj, Jaali, Metamorphe, Luxe, Gypsy and Taveez unite the simplicity of classical styles and the exuberance of modern chic.

Collection Raj draws on the fascinating lifestyle of the modern maharajas, circa 1875-1947. Their jewellery blends the traditional with styles of the best European jewellery.

From roughly the same period comes Jaali. The style is motivated by the play of light and shadow found in Mughal architecture. The collection is defined by its unusual cutwork.

Luxe and Taveez both reflect the charm and glamour of the past. Luxe is retro glamour and takes inspiration from art deco and Chinese carvings. It is characterised by fancy-cut diamonds. Taveez exudes an old world feel, inspired as the collection is by talisman patterns from different regions. The collection is a fusion of Indo-western motifs.

Gypsy echoes the unique bohemian style of the Romany gypsies of east Europe. And Metamorphe brings vividly to life the change that comes with evolution. It is inspired by natural forms, shapes and patterns.

Imagem is back with five new collections which it expects will make a splash in jewellery and fashion circles.

The five new lines are called Arabesque, Too Funky, Ravisha, Stone-In-Stone and Jewel Mesh. Arabesque is all golden thread and silver needles and is encased in diamond-crusted gold frames, strung with pearls, beads or fine strands of gold. Too Funky is for women who are flamboyant, yet with a deep sense of feminity. Ravisha represents a whole range of smaller, everyday-wear jewellery. Stone-In-Stone is a unique collection of innovative designs that expresses character. Jewel Mesh is a mesh necklace encased in diamond crusted gold frames strung with sequins and beads or fine strands of gold.

Govind Kakadia accepting an award

In an impressive sweep, Kiah bagged awards in five categories, out of a total of twelve, at The Retail Jeweller Awards 2005. The award ceremony, the first of its kind dedicated to the Indian domestic jewellery industry, was held to honour excellence in jewellery retailing amongst national brands.

Kiah carried off the most number of awards, which included the Best Retail Launch, Best Outdoor Campaign, Best Retail Radio Campaign, Best Retail Print Campaign, Best Diamond Vivaha Jewellery.

Accepting the awards, Govind Kakadia, chairman, Sheetal Group, said, "It has been a long journey for me from the formation of Sheetal Manufacturing Co many years ago to becoming the world's largest volume manufacturer of polished diamonds and, today, to the launch of Kiah. I feel elated and honoured to receive these awards."

Anjali Bhagwat with Gautam Gulati

Anjali Vedpathak-Bhagwat was declared Kiah Woman of the Month for July at a felicitation ceremony held recently in Mumbai. Gautam Gulati, brand director, Kiah, felicitated her with a diamond pendant and said, "Anjali has indeed proved to be an inspiration for the young, especially girls, by taking up a career in sports."

Anjali Vedpathak-Bhagwat is synonymous with rifle-shooting in India. She started her career providentially when she substituted for a friend at a national competition where she won a silver medal. Today, she is known as the "Arjuna of India," after the ace archer in the Indian epic Mahabharata. An elated Anjali said, "Being chosen as the 'Kiah Woman of the Month' is a matter of pride and honour, especially since the brand celebrates womanhood so strongly."