Programme in September? Let's go to Vicenza!

The second annual Vicenzaoro trade fair will take place in Vicenza from September 5th to 9th. It's a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse of the trends and developments for 2026—and a little Italian dolce vita in late summer is also included.

Left: Vicenzaoro visitors at the after-show networking event in September. © Vicenzaoro

Relax and be inspired

What do you do if you're part of the jewelry industry and have some time to spare in late summer? The best thing to do is fly to Italy, because the Vicenzaoro trade fair is taking place again in Vicenza. It's gigantic, colorful, sparkling, extremely international, and inspiring. 

For me, Vicenzaoro has become a favorite, especially in September. The Italian Exhibition Group hosts this trade fair spectacle twice a year: The first edition takes place in January, when we in Germany are typically caught up in the whirlwind of preparations for Inhorgenta—and perhaps haven't quite escaped the lethargy of the Christmas holidays yet.

But September? September is great! It's still warm and sunny in Italy, you can enjoy late summer, and everything moves at a more leisurely pace. This gives you the freedom to just let yourself go and be inspired by the many jewelry creations without any pressure, and to discover things you simply can't see in Munich.

Vicenzaoro: Springboard to the world

Vicenzaoro and Inhorgenta are quite different – this is partly due to simple economic reasons and also largely to the tastes of the clientele. The Inhorgenta trade fair is the home of German brands, and the world loves to come to Munich to discover them. International brands among the exhibitors are primarily suppliers of jewelry that – it must be said – German women also dare to wear. International exhibitors in Munich also reach countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, and the further north you go, the more minimalist the aesthetic becomes. Beautiful, elegant, timeless – but different.

In Italy, which cultivates a strong jewelry culture, things are a bit more passionate and colorful. Baselworld, the pinnacle of extravagance, no longer exists, and whether Vicenza will truly replace it is unclear. However, Vicenza attracts well-heeled buyers from Dubai, Hong Kong, and India, seeking for their clients loud luxury, the highest form of design, and playfulness with large gemstones, shapes, and colors. 

Demand determines supply, and that's why you'll find many curious and playful designs at the fair that are simply fun to explore. A colorful bouquet of colors, styles, and shapes that I sometimes miss in Munich. 

Discover trends with precision

The environment is also exciting when it comes to discovering the next trends. The large, international exhibitor audience helps with this, because if a certain trend emerges in this international melting pot of style and creativity, then you can be sure to see much more of it in the future. Therefore, the timing is perfect. Anyone working in the industry has a valuable head start in planning. While not all trends are created in Vicenza, they are visible there. So why not take advantage of these impressions?

The fair's supporting program, featuring shows, lectures, and a dedicated trend book available for purchase, helps visitors truly experience and take in the industry's developments and insights. The networking opportunity is incredibly strong, thanks in part to the many small after-show events, which add even more excitement in the warm late summer weather. Just like with jewelry, it's a special opportunity: Here, you meet people you might not otherwise meet. The exchange is invigorating, informative, and inspiring.

For anyone interested in jewelry, Vicenzaoro is a must, especially because Italy is so wonderfully close and you don't have to fly across the world to get to a place where so many impressions come together. However, the fair isn't really for watch fans. The proportion of watches is negligible – probably because the Geneva Watch Days are taking place at roughly the same time, from September 4th to 7th, thus attracting the watch industry to Geneva. It would certainly be possible to have two weddings at once, though, since Vicenzaoro doesn't end until September 9th.