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CELEBRATED Italian jewellery designer Roberto Coin is so impressed with Bahrain he is planning to open his own store here.
His company has been quietly watching in the wings as the kingdom's retail sector has taken off and his executives now believe it is the right time to invest here.
Antonio Bedoni, Roberto Coin's sales director, visited Bahrain this week for the launch of the brand's latest collection at jewellery retailer Damas' A'ali Mall outlet. He said: "This is our first big show in Bahrain. We have been on the island for three years but have kept a low profile because we wanted to find out and learn more about the market.
"We believe Bahrain's jewellery sector is steadily growing - a main reason being that the Saudis in particular love Bahrain.
"Bahrain is trendy and chic. While Dubai is becoming very common, Bahrain is exclusive."
Roberto Coin founded the company that would bear his name in Vicenza, described as the Italian 'city of gold'. Initially, the plans was to concentrate on production on behalf of some of the most prestigious brands of international fine jewellery.
The Roberto Coin brand was launched in 1996. Success was quick and extraordinary, within four years Coin positioned itself seventh amongst the best known jewellery brands in the US. Two years later it ranked third in the international panorama and first among Italian jewellers.
Today, Roberto Coin has 1,200 sales points worldwide. The new collections have been described as an "imaginative mix of play and seduction, irony and passion, magic and celebration".
Tamjid Abdulla, deputy managing director of Damas, said: "Roberto Coin fully understands the dreams and aspirations of the contemporary woman.
"Through his outstanding design and craftsmanship, he creates magnificent jewels that speak of feminine sophistication and refinement.
"Roberto Coin uses the finest materials to bring to life highly imaginative designs. These new creations will definitely make a strong impression among those who truly understand what jewellery with personality is all about."
Taking inspiration from the world of cinema, fashion, fame and fortune, the new jewellery pieces celebrate "creativity and contemporary femininity with a sense of humor and playful irony", the hallmarks of the Roberto Coin brand.
The jewellery designer has been so taken by the kingdom that the company is considering opening a shop of its own in the near future. "By the end of this year we are planning to open our own shop in either the new City Centre or the Moda Mall at the Bahrain World Trade Centre," Mr Bedoni revealed to GulfWeekly.
Roberto Coin jewels and collections are now available at Damas Les Exclusive Boutiques in Al A'ali Mall and Seef Mall.
