Daily News

Foto: Imago/Future Image

| Franziska Knuppe: "I hope to receive many great applications"

Top Model and Jury Member Franziska Knuppe Reveals her Jewelry Secret

The presentation of the INHORGENTA AWARD will take place within the framework of a festive gala at the Munich Postpalast on February 19, 2017. The accolade is granted as an acknowledgement for special products and services of the jewelry and watchmaking industry. The award is conferred in six categories. Franziska Knuppe is one of the seven jury members who will select the respective winners. In the following interview, the top model talks about gems bringing back memories to her, her role as a jury member and pop starlet Lady Gaga.

Ms Knuppe, you will be a jury member for the INHORGENTA AWARD of Messe München on February 19, 2017. You lived in the city on the banks of the river Isar from 1993 to 1996, when you pursued training as a hotel manageress at the Park Hilton hotel. What memories do you have of this period?

It was shortly after my high school diploma. The fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany did not date back very far yet. And I moved from Potsdam to Munich. This was a huge step. (smiles) As an East German – or, as the Bavarians say, a “Prussian” – I sometimes felt like an alien. Nevertheless, I managed to settle in and even worked in a Bavarian alehouse during this period.

This sounds audacious. Do you still have connections to Munich?

Funnily enough, I am in contact again with two girls with whom I completed my training at that time. Facebook makes it possible. Meanwhile, one of them no longer lives in Munich but in Vietnam. Every now and then, I am in Munich for professional reasons. And sometimes, during taxi rides, memories come back. For example, memories of my first dwelling in a girls’ home managed by nuns. My second flat was located near Stachus square. When I am in Munich, it always strikes me that this city scarcely changes.

In contrast to INHORGENTA MUNICH which is constantly developing new formats. At the forthcoming trade show, you and your colleagues on the jury panel will confer the INHORGENTA AWARD. Would you say that you are a severe juror?

Let’s put it like this: I am able to recognize differences in quality pretty rapidly. That is to say, I can see whether the finishing quality of a product is good or rather poor and what the underlying idea of the manufacturer was. After all, I am dealing with jewelry and watches almost daily. And, most importantly, I think I am able to assess how much passion has flown into a product or brand. And that is what I will consider in my ratings. If this can be called severe – yes, then I am severe. Even so, I am not, and exactly for this reason I am waiting for many exciting applications.

You will meet fashion designer Michael Michalsky on the jury. Do you know each other well?

Yes, we have known each other for a very long time. I was a guest when he presented his first collection in Berlin. I vividly recall this event, which is mainly due to Lady Gaga. Michael had invited her as a musical interlude. At that time, she was still unknown. One year later – after her first album – she had become world-famous, however. Michael really has a flair for such things.

What kind of jewelry do you wear preferably?

This entirely depends on my outfit. When I take part in an event where I am photographed, as for example at the Bambi Award, I prefer wearing earrings. After all, the majority of the photographers focus on the face, and therefore earrings actually look best. Otherwise, I rather stick to the principle "less is more" in all that relates to jewelry. I do not like to be draped like a Christmas tree. Rather, I prefer to wear one genuinely beautiful piece of jewelry than three at once. By genuinely beautiful I mean jewelry and watches which do not go out of fashion after only two or three years. I have had my watch for quite some time now, but I have three wristbands for it. In this way, I can wear this timeless watch on any occasion and with any outfit.

Do you have gems evoking special memories for you?

I have two inherited pieces: earrings of my mother and a wristwatch of my grandma. But I leave them in the safe. Wearing them, I would be much too afraid to loose them. Since I am travelling a lot, I do not have my wedding ring with me either, for example – after all, it could forget it when I have to put it off for one of my model jobs. That's what I would like to avoid. Therefore, I mostly do not wear jewelry at all when I am on business travel. All the more because I am dressed on site anyway. One of my favorite gems is a very delicate necklace with a heart pendant consisting of a myriad of small sparkling diamonds.

All information on the INHORGENTA AWARD: www.inhorgenta-award.com

For further information on INHORGENTA MUNICH please visit us at www.inhorgenta.com and on Facebook: www.facebook.com

Photos for free download are available here, videos can be found at: www.inhorgenta.com/services and at the Messe München Media Center.

Networking with Vision | "Many inspiring reasons why one should pay a visit to INHORGENTA MUNICH": The INHORGENTA TRENDFACTORY in New York met with great interest on the part of potential exhibitors, dealers and the press. Plans are to meet again in Munich.

On the occasion of INHORGENTA MUNICH's first networking event abroad, American designers and brands, jewelers and representatives of the press had been invited to the German House of the German Consulate General at the United Nations Plaza. At midsummer temperatures, around 30 invited participants had accepted the invitation. Not only could they enjoy a breathtaking view over the East River and Manhattan, but also a diversified lecture program followed by a get-together.

Thus, Stefanie Mändlein presented the German market as well as INHORGENTA MUNICH as international order and communication platform for jewelry and watches to the audience. Max Andrew Link, Digital Expert and founder and CEO of the start-up company Eluxr spoke about digital strategies in the jewelry and watch industry. He underlined that trade is nowadays primarily growing in the online and mobile segments and no longer in the brick-and-mortar channel. In his opinion, the key to success lies in successfully interlinking offline and online purchasing experiences. Communication via Instant Messenger, in particular, was gaining in importance. Watch expert Sabine Zwettler (GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, watch magazine) introduced the audience to the great variety of German watch brands, their history and their characteristics. The subsequent get-together was used for intensive talks and discussions. "The TRENDFACTORY has shown many inspiring reasons why one should pay a visit to INHORGENTA MUNICH", concluded Susie Biddle from the "National Jeweler" trade journal.

From the viewpoint of Exhibition Director Stefanie Mändlein, the long journey to New York has been worthwhile. "At any rate, it will not have been the last time that we have organized such an event in the USA. We have been able to establish a great number of contacts with potential exhibitors and visitors here, many of whom have only just heard about INHORGENTA MUNICH for the first time", she says. "Their feedback was very positive, the German and European market is highly interesting for many of them."

These contacts are supposed to be intensified in the weeks and months to come in order to be able to prepare a platform for American designers and brands at INHORGENTA MUNICH, which will facilitate their market entry in Europe. Therefore, US pavilions are at the planning stage for both the designer Hall C2 and Hall B1 "Fine Jewelry".

Alexandra Patino, Senior Vice President for Design of the New York jewelry brand Ippolita, also showed enthusiasm after the TRENDFACTORY: "INHORGENTA MUNICH fosters and supports young designers and European schools, which is very important for the industry's future. At the same time, it informs the general public about new technologies and trends in the industry and consumer behavior. Therefore, INHORGENTA MUNICH is the trade show for ideas and innovations in every field."

INHORGENTA MUNICH goes New York! | One of the world’s probably most exiting cities will be the first stop abroad of the INHORGENTA TRENDFACTORY: the networking series of INHORGENTA MUNICH will give a guest appearance in New York for the first time ever on 12 June. Learn more about the backgrounds and objectives of the "leap" across the Atlantic.

One of the world’s probably most exiting cities will be the first stop abroad of the INHORGENTA TRENDFACTORY: the networking series of INHORGENTA MUNICH will give a guest appearance in New York for the first time ever on 12 June.

"The German market is very interesting for American brands and designers; at the same time German and European brands are highly sought after by American dealers – and where could the two meet better than at and with INHORGENTA MUNICH?” comments Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA MUNICH, on the motives for the "leap" across the Atlantic.

Therefore, the INHORGENTA TRENDFACTORY will provide some 50 invited guests – including brands, designers, jewelers and representatives of the press – with a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas on current topics and market potentials, whilst getting them into the mood for a visit to the trade show in Munich. The event will take place at the German House of the German Consulate General at the United Nations Plaza.

There, Stefanie Mändlein will present the German market for jewelry and watches as well as INHORGENTA MUNICH as the international order and communication platform for the industry. Andrew Max Link, digital expert and CEO of the ELUXR start-up and partner of ARTYSO, as well as Sabine Zwettler, the well-known German watch journalist (GZ Goldmiede Zeitung [goldsmith's magazine], Uhren-Magazin [watch magazine]), could be won over to hold motivational lectures. Andrew Max Link will talk about the "Digital strategy in the jewelry industry" which he helps shape by means of ELUXR – a solution for an easy, digital distribution of jewelry and watches. Sabine Zwettler will present watches "Made in Germany" under the title "Highest precision and noble design". Subsequent to the lectures, there will be ample opportunities for personal exchange and networking.

"For many of the participants, this will be the first contact with INHORGENTA MUNICH – but certainly not last one", says Stefanie Mändlein. "I am eagerly looking forward to this event and I am deeply curious about the feedback we will receive from the American market."

Objectives for INHORGENTA MUNICH 2018 Defined | Even more international, even more watches, even closer to the market: the INHORGENTA MUNICH Advisory Board discussed the objectives for 2018.

Even more international, even more watches, even closer to the market: the INHORGENTA MUNICH Advisory Board discussed the objectives for 2018.

After the trade show is before the trade show: it is a tradition that the INHORGENTA MUNICH Advisory Board, which consists of well-known industry representatives and exhibitors, meets up in early May in order to assess the past edition of INHORGENTA MUNICH jointly with the INHORGENTA Team. As in previous years, new objectives and concepts for the year to come were discussed in a constructive atmosphere.

The INHORGENTA Team could point to very positive figures at the start of the meeting: in contrast to the general trend in the industry, the 2017 edition witnessed a five-percent increase in both the exhibitor and the visitor figures, respectively.

"Values have further improved in all respects. We can all be very satisfied with the result", states Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München. "However, it is also clear that this positive result will not induce us to rest on our laurels but to develop new ideas for 2018 so as to boost the satisfaction of all those involved", continues the company boss.

For 2018, three fields of action have been identified jointly with the Advisory Board: Hall A1 ‘Timepieces’ is to become even more attractive for all concerned by getting additional lighthouse brands interested in a participation in INHORGENTA MUNICH. Moreover, the INHORGENTA AWARD is extended to include one additional category for timepieces. Further potential also resides in intensified internationalization. Therefore, the definition of an annually changing focus country from where to canvass exhibitors and visitors was discussed. In addition, a new working group consisting of industry experts was constituted for the 2018 Seminar Program. These will pool their concentrated know-how and collect ideas for the development of a contemporary and top-class offer.

"The discussions and suggestions of the Advisory Board are very valuable to us as trade show organizers", Exhibition Director Stefanie Mändlein summarizes the meeting. "They are an important building block on our road to align INHORGENTA MUNICH even more closely to the needs of the market jointly and in dialogue with our partners."

Excellent Jewelry Design from Czechia | Jewelry designer Lucie Houdková from Prague won the INHORGENTA Special Award 2017 at the "Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER” in Poland.

Lucie Houdková, jewelry designer from Prague and winner of the INORGENTA AWARD 2017 at the "Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER"

Jewelry designer Lucie Houdková from Prague won the INHORGENTA Special Award 2017 at the "Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER” in Poland.

It is the submarine world that inspired Lucie Houdková to create her brooch "Deep/Black/White": voluminous, yet light, it can be given a new shape in no time at all, which makes it resemble opening and closing foam corals in the sea. With the brooch – made of foil-coated paper, stainless steel and silver – she convinced the jury of the "Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER" in Poland and won the INHORGENTA AWARD 2017. Her prize: she will exhibit her creations at INHORGENTA MUNICH 2018. "I am very much looking forward to presenting my pieces to a large audience", says the 32-year-old designer from Prague, who has primarily been present at art exhibitions so far.

"I was nominated for prizes several times, but the INHORGENTA Special Award is the first prize that I have really won", she says. Jewelry from paper and the flora and fauna from the world oceans are recurrent elements in her oeuvre.

"I came into contact with the submarine world for the first time when I was an exchange student in Ireland", Lucie Houdková continues. "Since then, I come back to this theme occasionally – whenever I have new ideas and feel the need to realize them."

Her portfolio, however, does by far not only consist of jewelry from paper but also from pieces made of silver or gold.

"Deep/Black/White" by Lucie Houdková

Inspired by the flora and fauna of the oceans: brooch "Deep/Black/White" by Lucie Houdková

"There are daily things that enchant me – and seek expression in jewelry", she describes the way from the idea to the design. "The material also plays a big role: I am experimenting a lot with different materials, almost in a scientific manner. My pieces progressively gain shape in this process."

Born in Brno in southern Czechia, Lucie Houdková completed her training at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. She attributes her preference for architectonic forms, movement and minimalism to her teachers V.K. Novak and Eva Eisler and mentions Salvador Dalí, Ernst Haeckel and H.R. Giger as her favorite artists.

All visitors of INHORGENTA MUNICH 2018 can convince themselves of the expressiveness and quality of her designs. Lucie Houdková will exhibit her creations in Hall C2 "Contemporary Design & Vision".

www.luciehoudkova.com

1 2 3 4 5 6