The hashtag of choice for Metal + Smith, a nontraditional jewelry showcase designed to hype the work of emerging jewelry designers, is #notatradeshow.
What makes Metal & Smith’s events not traditional jewelry trade shows? They’re invitation only. “Our approach is to invite select members of the retail, styling, and editorial community who have the potential to change the course of our exhibitors’ collections,” reads the company’s website.
“For those brands accustomed to the trade show circuit, we want to clearly emphasize our #notatradeshow point of view, which is a large part of our appeal. To us a non-open door policy means a reduction in the amount of bodies, but an increased level of quality in those attending.”
Metal & Smith will roll out a pair of shows: one in New York City, Aug. 20–21, and one in Los Angeles, Oct. 9–10.
The New York show, which will take place at Mercantile 38 in Hudson Yards, will feature “over 30 brands spanning entry, mid, and high-end price points across fine, demi-fine, and costume categories,” according to the website.
Brands signed up to exhibit in New York include Airy Heights Design, April Aultman, Avalina K, Belinda Chang, Carlos Z, Daniel Antosh, Dea Jewellery, Debra Navarro, Glamrocks, Goldbug, Jane Winchester, Joon Han, Leigh Maxwell, Leslie Paige, Melis Goral, Meredith Young, Mia Medak, Millapani, Minton, M.U.S.E. Collective, Roots Metals, Rosa Van Parys, Sandrine de Laage, Taylor Wilkinson, Vimeria, and Uberkate.
Event organizers inform exhibitors on their website that their show results and experiences can vary: “Expectations vary based on the individual, but as event producers our chief goal is to create a chic and modern atmosphere, punctuated by luxury touches, that encourages our attendees to slow down, engage, and start a dialog with our exhibitors.”
For more information, visit the show’s website.
Top: Emerald and diamond earrings by Metal & Smith show exhibitor Meredith Young (image via: @meredithyoungfinejewelry)
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