From The Straits Times    |

Aspiring jewellery designers, listen up. Your love and talent for designing these precious gems may just win you the grand prize of $8,000 and a trip to the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show 2014.

To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Malaysia jeweller La Putri is holding a competition to discover and nurture young jewellers in the art of designing fine jewellery. Young designers are to send in their design sketches to La Putri by August 16, 2013 to enter the jewellery contest.

The brief: to create a statement piece or a set of jewellery for actress-model Andrea Fonseka, the face of the La Putri Outstanding Jewellery Designer Competition 2013.

La Putri competition searches for outstanding jewellery designers
Miss Malaysia Universe 2004 winner and actress-model Andrea Fonseka. PHOTO: LA PUTRI

“A good statement piece transforms the entire look and feel of an ensemble – from casual chic to rock chick, from bohemian daywear to formal,” shares Fonseka, who will also be on the judging panel of the competition.

“Because I travel so much, it is much easier to bring with me jewellery to match the occasion, as opposed to an entire wardrobe of different styles,” adds the actress-model. “I like keeping things classic, with an ‘edge’. That said, being comfortable is the most essential part of my style.”

Even if you’re not entering the La Putri competition, this is definitely a contest to check out, if you do love jewellery with precious stones.

All participating designers are required to feature 12 pieces of one to two carat rubies in their jewellery creations for this competition, so expect to see plenty of sparkle; we’re pretty psyched to see the winning piece!

To help the judges understand the “story” behind each piece, designers will also have to submit 500-word introductory write-up on their love for jewellery, as well as explanations on the inspiration behind their creations and a description of how their jewellery designs are meant to be worn.

Contest submissions for the La Putri Outstanding Jewellery Designer Competition 2013 close on August 16, 2013.

Entries are to be sent to info@laputri.com or La Putri boutique, #02-15 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897 by August 16, 2013. Download the entry form and read the contest terms and conditions on http://www.laputri.com.

Follow La Putri on Facebook for more competition updates.