The Futurist, a creative intelligence agency led by luxury analyst Paola De Luca, will power for the first time the high-profile “Design Inspirations” seminar coinciding with the IIJS Signature jewellery trade fair in Mumbai on February 16.

De Luca has collaborated with India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council since 2006, but this is the first time that she will curate the GJEPC-sponsored Design Inspirations event.

“We will be bringing together some very inspired and visionary figures from across the luxury arena to give thought-provoking and disruptive insight into the future of design, fashion, jewellery and luxury,” De Luca said.

The theme of the seminar will be “CRACKS”, inspired by the Fault Lines as Luxury evolves in new directions across global society. The “CRACKS” theme will be presented in four segments: Socio-cultural Shifts, Sustainable Being, Heritage & Values, and Design Futures.

Apart from De Luca, speakers will include Ash Allibhai, director of UK-based ASBO fashion magazine; Thomas Lazzarini, private client personal shopper at digital retailer Farfetch; and Fleur Damman and Noelle Viguurs Van Gelder, co-owners of Netherlands-based Van Gelder Jewellery, as well as a host of well-respected local industry leaders.

De Luca and celebrated UK jewellery designer Stephen Webster will be VIP guests at the GJEPC-backed “Artisan Awards”, which will take place in Mumbai on February 12, a showcase for exceptional Indian jewellery design talent.

The Futurist has just launched a new website and plans multiple projects in India, working with K-webmaker for creative and strategic services across luxury, and GemAtlas for educational courses online.

The Futurist is a research and creative intelligence firm, which delivers strategic projects, reports, research and analysis; editorial and educational projects; and marketing content for the jewellery and luxury sectors. The Futurist’s team of international independent professionals develop bespoke projects for a high-profile clientele.

Paola De Luca has over 20 years’ experience as a leading luxury and jewellery industry creative director and strategist, well-known for her public speaking at trade events and for spearheading editorial projects, such as her latest book published by Rizzoli: “Farah Khan: A Bejewelled Life.”