Bijorhca event: expect change in January, transformation in September says new chief

By

Marion Deslandes

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Dec 9, 2016

Aude Leperre has recently taken charge of the Bijorhca fine and fashion jewellery trade show in Paris, and is keen to liven up the event. Leperre, 36, succeeded last September to Richard Martin and Sylvie Gaudy, both in charge of the show for nearly 15 years and the first challenge is to add new boldness and a more welcoming atmosphere to the show.

A major overhaul of the show's format is in the offing for September 2017, but the forthcoming edition, scheduled from January, 20-23 will offer a glimpse of the first changes introduced by the new management.

"This show needs to evolve. We want to add to it a touch of fashion and freshness, and to make its atmosphere more congenial, something which is rarely felt," said Aude Leperre, who has called on the show's new Creative Director Stella Cadente to take care of the set design. Cadente will introduce a new section dedicated to select brands and also showcase her jewellery, apparel and photography work in a special exhibition.

The show's central avenue will feature areas for networking and entertainment, and a post-show evening event will be held for the first time on the night of Sunday January 22, open to exhibitors, buyers, press and bloggers. Bijorhca won't neglect tech innovation either, with a new section dedicated to 3D printing experts.

Leperre has not revealed further details of how she wants to refashion Bijorhca, but has flagged those bigger changes for September 2017, aimed at "giving the event a whole new energy, with a completely redesigned format, the creation of a programme for buyers and new advertising." 

The forthcoming January edition will host 450 exhibitors as it did last year, split across two levels at Paris's Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. Among them there will be about 100 new entries, such as Sidonie Prudence, Clio Blue and Stefania Bandinu. As usual the show will feature three sections: fashion and designer jewellery, fine jewellery and a section dedicated to industry suppliers.