70 Years is Just the Beginning – A Report from Vicenzaoro January 2024

My dear jewellery lovers, I have a riddle for you: what is 70 years old and still growing? Vicenzaoro! It’s been over a week since I returned from the New Year edition of the Italian jewellery fair, and I am still soaring. The unique energy and familial atmosphere of the event were further heightened by a significant occasion to celebrate. This year marks seven decades since the first gathering of the goldsmith industry in beautiful Vicenza.

The story of Vicenzaoro was beautifully narrated by the fair’s director, Marco Carniello, during a press briefing. Did a tear of emotion twinkle in your eye? Perhaps. But let’s take it step by step. It turns out that the first fair in Vicenza was held back in 1948, but it wasn’t themed. The anniversary we celebrated from January 19th to 24th, harks back to events from 1954. That year, the town first hosted an event entirely dedicated to gold jewellery. Initially, the fair took place in a park in the heart of the old city. The post-war decade was a time of revival and a hunger for growth. Vicenza’s goldsmith traditions were seen as a business potential that could contribute to the region’s renaissance.

Golden History

In the early 70s, the fair moved from the historic center to an industrial district, to the place where the jewellery industry now converges – not only from Italy but from all over the world. Today, six out of ten VO participants are international guests. Back to history. 1985 is another important milestone in the “CV” of the fairs in the golden city. That’s when the Vicenzaoro brand was born. “The fair began to be treated as a product. It was given a specific profile and tone of voice,” explains Marco Carniello. In 2015, Hall 7 – the largest exhibition space – was opened, and the fair presentations gained a very thoughtful layout, meeting the perspective and needs of buyers.

I am grateful for this sparkling history lesson. Marco’s story made us realize what lies behind the motto of this January’s VO edition: The Heritage for Tomorrow. Rich tradition is a capital that the #GoldenTeam is proud of and draws from, but the ethos of the fair has always been the ambition of consciously shaping the future and engaging in the development of the goldsmith market – local, European, international. A brilliant expression of this idea was inviting hundreds of students to #VOJ24. “This is our next mission – we want to show them what the world of jewellery is. The industry needs the engagement of young generations – in factories, marketing teams, sales departments,” explained Carniello. “Vicenzaoro is much more than a fair – we are a platform supporting business and education.”

Italian Hospitality

The commitment and passion that emanated from Marco’s speech set the tone for the entire atmosphere of the January edition of VO. The brilliance of the most beautiful jewellery mixed with warm laughter and the buzz of conversations. The gold community grows each year – and this time, another attendance record was set – the number of participants was up by another 3% compared to the New Year event in 2023. This success is not surprising – once you experience the magic of Vicenzaoro, you won’t miss any subsequent editions. VO is a unique combination of ultra-professional organization and a substantive program with an informal atmosphere reminiscent of a big family reunion. I couldn’t stop smiling as people stopped me at the stands, inviting me to admire stunning collections, chat about jewellery, fashion, and life. This positive energy means I don’t feel tired or pain from miles walked in heels. You can’t talk sense into an elegant magpie – I won’t swap my princess shoes for comfy New Balances, oh no! During VO, I run around with a camera like crazy, trying on hundreds of carats of jewellery per hour, changing outfits (I changed four times in one day in the press room, hihi) – I love this fair madness. I appreciate Italian hospitality with every visit to Vicenza, but this time the #GoldenTeam outdid themselves by inviting media representatives to a luxury hotel with a SPA (Duval, Preeta, Pooja – thank you for our evening laughs and relaxation in the hot pool!).

A New Beginning

The 70th birthday is a new chapter for Vicenzaoro. Marco Carniello and his team shared incredible news in January – preparations will soon begin for the construction of a new building, the Vicenza Expo Centre, spanning 22,000 square meters – to say WOW is an understatement. This space will be filled with the brilliance of the most beautiful jewellery by September 2026. I am proud to be part of such an ambitious, incredible community and to witness the development of a project shaping the condition of the jewellery industry with my own magpie eyes. Happy birthday, Vicenzaoro, tanti auguri!