HRD Antwerp announces the winners of the 18th HRD Design Awards at Vicenzaoro

In the fully packed Teatro Palladio at Vicenzaoro, the reinvented design competition came to its conclusion with the announcement of the 3 category winners, the two runners-up and the overall competition winner. That nal honor falls upon the young and new talent Wang Xuerui from China. CEO Ellen Joncheere also launched a new initiative to support young designers worldwide: the young Designers Community.

The jury, under the professional guidance of CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri, selected 3 winners that made a design within the selected theme: peace. Storytelling, technical skills and the ability to translate this into the design were the decisive factors that led to the choices of the jury. More than 1500 participants entered about 1600 designs, which is a big jump from the 800 contestants we had at the last edition.

The global winner of the competition is the Chinese Wang Xuerui. Wang Xuerui’s piece called “Mutualistic” is a stunning work that symbolizes peace at the core of its design. Her story is what inspires other talented people around the world and why we organise this competition.

Ellen Joncheere – CEO HRD Antwerp:” I’m very excited that this competition creates the opportunity for so many talented
designers to make their dream come true and make an idea that they have but can’t aord as a designer, come to life. In
general, we were surprised by the high level of the designs that we received and it’s proven that with the right platform you eliminate all obstacles and make room for new potential designers.”

Final Winners:
Global winner 18th edition HRD Design Awards: Wang Xuerui - China
Category winner accessories: Wang Xuerui - China
1st runner-up: Jun Yuying Zhang - China
2nd runner-up: Yi-Wen Chen - Taiwan
Category winner gemstones: Amelia Rachim - Italy
1st runner-up: Maho Nozawa - Japan
2nd runner-up: Chao Yu - China
Category winner diamonds: Indika Wjayarathna - Sri Lanka
1st runner-up: Benoit Schrijnemakers - Belgium
2nd runner-up: Lily Leung - China

The winners were selected by a jury of 18 members under the guidance of Mr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO. Following industry leaders took up the responsability of judging these 1.600 designs: Laetitia Crahay, Roberto Coin, Bernadette Pinet-Cuoq, Florence Joos, Eva Olde Monnikhof, Lydia Courteille, Myreine A. Massih, Audrey Huet, Valeria Percossi Papi, Lucia Silvestri, Giorgio Damiani, Rafaat Nasaar, Lorenzo De Medici, Shalin zaveri, Enzo Liverino, Pamela Hastry, Einas Mohammed and Fred Mouawad.

HRD Antwerp launches new Young Designers Community
HRD Antwerp launches a brand new designer community that supports and nurtures creators by providing them with the right network and resources they need to succeed. A collaborative environment, bringing fairs, industry stakeholders, field experts, and designers together, to drive progress. To provide the needed educational tools to help young designers grow their business.

Ellen Joncheere – CEO HRD Antwerp:” The new generation is the future of our industry. It’s essential that, if we want to keep attracting new and young talent, that we provide them with the necessary tools and surround them with the expertise and network they need to grow their talents. I see at as my responsibility to connect Antwerp with the best designers worldwide and the Young designers community is a perfect platform to support that mission. ”
For example, our newly created digital jewellery design course, using Procreate as an affordable and eco-friendly tool to create and sell collections. On top of that we start by offering fexible online courses that fit it into their busy schedules. To support our Young designers community, we built a new website and platform to share our knowledge globally and to provide designers with the necessary tools and expertise."