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DUT Wins Third Place at PlatAfrica 2011 Awards

DUT Wins Third Place at PlatAfrica 2011 Awards

A team of Jewellery Design students from Durban University of Technology have been awarded third place in the PlatAfrica 2011 design competition. This year’s competition themed Platinum Romance, was sponsored by Anglo Platinum Limited in conjunction Metal Concentrators and Johnson Matthey. The prestigious awards ceremony was held at Arena Royale in Fourways, Johannesburg at the weekend.

This year’s theme focused on marriage, a lifetime’s promise which can be best delivered by the most enduring and pure of precious metals, platinum. It is not only remarkably rare but also exceptionally durable. These unique qualities continue to make platinum jewellery the perfect choice for bridal jewellery across the globe.

The annual competition was open to universities, private design studios and individual jewellery designers across South Africa. The Department of Jewellery Design has participated in the annual competition since 2006 and in 2009 it was included as part of the third-year Work Integrated Learning curriculum. In 2009 third-year students worked in groups with designers, Vernon White and Vijay Shah. White’s group went on to win first place in the Group category and Shah took the first prize in the Designer category.

Having won the Anglo Platinum Professional Design category for two consecutive years, Shah opted to work with DUT students this year. Students also worked closely with design professional, Tommy Dannhauser to put together a unique range of jewellery to be worn by the members of the bridal party.

The third place group’s theme, For Richer, for Poorer, envisaged a union of a man from a middle class family and woman from an upper class family and used chrysanthemum flowers as a starting point for their design conception. Shah’s versatile hair ornament design, titled Diva was complemented by the designs by Jongani Mzukwa, Sphelele Mbhatha, Collin Ngiba and Lungelo Dlamini. The group was awarded a cash prize of R8000. BTech student, Songezo Baleni received a Merit Award for his wedding ring design in submission for the Individual Student category.

Jewellery Design Lecturer, Samantha Vincent said: “We are extremely proud of our student’s performance. They have exhibited great skill and exceptional talent in their design and craftsmanship. Students worked on this competition for five weeks from conception to finished product.”

Shah said: “After winning the professional category twice, I discovered I had a greater hunger to learn and share my knowledge. I have a long standing relationship with the Department of Jewellery Design and I opted to mentor students and the outcome has been quite remarkable. It began with brainstorming of ideas for different design concepts. Together we created five unique pieces as part of our range, For Richer or Poorer. My professional input assisted students with their design concepts and technical construction of their pieces.”

Shah holds degree in Fine art from the University of Durban-Westville and 20 years of experience as an established designer. Over the years he has spent hours perfecting his work, creating masterpieces for local celebrities and members of the general public.

He said: “I am passionate about my work and design is my specialty. Over the years I have created an eclectic range of jewellery, many with South African influence. My work is based on the local context, I believe in giving back to society and local development. My inspiration however is drawn from many elements and influences.”

Shah enjoys creating unique individual pieces, for people who have an appreciation for art, craftsmanship and design. He said: “Jewellery design is an evolving industry that has introduced many different techniques over the years. There is always room for improvement in the trade. I have enjoyed working with the students and they possess great talent and the skills to further develop and establish themselves. The key to being a successful designer is to treat each client as a celebrity, create items that are unique, versatile and reflective of their own personal style and identity. Opportunities are endless. You can be successful and enjoy what you do.”

PlatAfrica 2011
Durban University of Technology –Third Year Winning Designs

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