INHORGENTA 2025: prestigious exhibitors and exciting highlights

INHORGENTA is preparing for an exceptional event scheduled from February 21 to 24, 2025 at Münich Messe. With an impressive 4% increase in exhibitors and exhibition space, this year’s edition promises to be more dynamic than ever. Prestigious brands such as Yoko London, Krisonia, Terzihan, Kreis Jewellery, Eberhard & Co., and the Fossil Group, featuring Emporio Armani, Fossil, Michael Kors, Diesel, and Armani Exchange, will elevate the trade fair with their presence, making it a must-attend event for industry professionals worldwide.

A Growing International Presence

Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA, expresses enthusiasm about the fair’s expansion: “We are delighted that numerous international brands will be celebrating their premiere in 2025 or returning after a break. This strengthens our position as an important platform for this high-quality industry.”

Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director

Notably, international participation has surged by 13%, with significant growth from Italy, Belgium, France, India, and Switzerland. The international appeal of INHORGENTA continues to attract top-tier exhibitors, further solidifying its status as a leading industry event.

Strong Brands and Exciting Newcomers

Major global brands recognize the unique opportunities INHORGENTA provides. Maurice Hendrix, Vice President EMEA, Wholesale, at Fossil, highlights the significance of the event: “We are looking forward to presenting our brands and products at INHORGENTA 2025 and engaging in direct dialogue with partners and customers. The trade fair creates an ideal environment to showcase our brand to an international audience, establish new partnerships, and benefit from the high quality and increasing number of visitors.”

New and returning brands in the A1 watch hall include Roamer, Aigner, Jacques du Manoir, and Rodania, while the French pavilion continues to expand. A noteworthy addition is INHORGENTA’s new collaboration with Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), whose Cultural Space will complement the expanding focus on fine watchmaking. In the Fine Jewelry sector, leading newcomers include Yoko London, Krisonia, Zancan Gioielli, and Terzihan. The Lifestyle & Elegance segment welcomes new exhibitors such as Tapestry Inc. with Kate Spade, alongside returning names like Quinn Scheurle and Glaskoch B.Koch jr. GmbH & Co. KG. The Wedding area in Hall B2 continues to expand, featuring prominent brands like 123 Gold and Rubin, with the addition of a new “Classic” area for fine and traditional jewelry. The Design Area will also receive a boost with the INHORGENTA ICONIC, further enriching the fair’s creative landscape.

INHORGENTA represents a vital platform for exhibitors and trade visitors to explore market trends and build meaningful business relationships. Stefanie Mändlein emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interactions in the industry: “In recent years, we have all realized the value of personal encounters in building trust and strengthening stationary retail. This is why we continue to invest in INHORGENTA.”

Lucas Bouteille, from Galeries Lafayette Watches and Jewelry Department, shares his anticipation: “We are looking forward to attending INHORGENTA 2025 as we continuously seek emerging brands that will add fresh perspectives to our collections. This show is an essential event in the European watch and jewelry market.”

India: The Official Partner Country of INHORGENTA 2025

A key highlight of INHORGENTA 2025 is India’s designation as the official partner country. The partnership with the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) underscores India’s increasing influence in the global jewelry and watch market, while also celebrating 500 years of trade relations between India and Germany.

Stefan Rummel and Nirav Bhansali (GJEPC)

Over 50 Indian exhibitors will participate, including Uniq Jewels, Silvesto India, Asian Star, Surya Jewellers, and Sejal Exports, alongside independent satellite exhibitors. This collaboration provides European buyers an unparalleled opportunity to explore India’s leading design and manufacturing expertise. “This partnership offers European buyers unique opportunities to discover India’s leading design and manufacturing expertise”, says Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München. Vipul Shah, Chairman of the GJEPC, remarks: “This cooperation marks a defining moment for the Indian gem and jewelry industry. Our top manufacturers will showcase exclusive and innovative designs to the international audience at INHORGENTA. We are delighted to strengthen India’s presence in the European market.”

Vipul Shah, chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council

To further showcase India’s jewelry heritage, the India Experience Zone within the India Pavilion will feature handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and traditional craftsmanship, while the Brand India Gallery will highlight advancements in design, innovation, and technology.

INHORGENTA AWARD 2025

One of the event’s most anticipated highlights is the INHORGENTA AWARD Gala, set to take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Small Olympic Hall in Munich. The venue’s modern architecture and elegant atmosphere will serve as the perfect backdrop for honoring outstanding achievements in the jewelry, watch, and gemstone industries. The Awards ceremony will be hosted by celebrity presenter Rebecca Mir, with a special musical performance by internationally renowned singer Ásdís.

A Prestigious Jury & Award Categories

The INHORGENTA AWARD 2025 will recognize excellence across nine categories, including:

Luxury Watch of the Year
Gemstone Design of the Year
High Jewelry of the Year
Fine Jewelry of the Year
Fashion Jewelry of the Year
Designer of the Year
Design Newcomer of the Year
Watch Design of the Year
Next Generation Retail

A distinguished jury will oversee the selections, featuring Joern Kengelbach, Gisbert L. Brunner, Leo Eberlin, Sarah Fabergé, Anja Heiden, Martin Julier, Patrik Muff, Katerina Perez, Christoph Stelzer, and Stephen Webster.

I had the privilege to interview Stefanie Mändlein, the Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA, to delve into the upcoming event’s innovation, international collaborations and the evolving landscape of the jewelry and watch industry. Her insights offer a glimpse into the meticulous planning and visionary direction shaping one of Europe’s premier tradeshows.

Laura Astrologo Porché and Stefanie Mändlein, Inhorgenta 2024

INHORGENTA has expanded its global footprint with events in Paris, London, and other countries in 2024. How has this international outreach influenced the perception of INHORGENTA within the industry?

Our international outreach has significantly strengthened INHORGENTA’s reputation as a leading platform for jewelry, watches, and gemstones. By hosting roadshows and exclusive events in key markets like Paris, London, Bukarest, Mumbai or Bahrain we have deepened connections with international brands and buyers, showcasing INHORGENTA as not just a trade fair but a global network. This has also enhanced the visibility of our exhibitors on the global stage and attracted new participants, further solidifying Munich as a must attend event for the industry.

What is your long-term vision for INHORGENTA, and how do you see it evolving in the next five years?

My vision for INHORGENTA is to build on its position as the leading international platform for innovation in the jewelry, gemstones and watch industry. Over the next five years, we aim to strengthen our focus on sustainability, digital innovation, and luxury trends. Additionally, we plan to foster deeper collaborations with international brands and emerging markets, ensuring the event remains relevant and forward-looking in an ever-evolving industry.

India is the partner country for INHORGENTA 2025. What excites you the most about this collaboration, and what unique experiences can attendees expect from the India Pavilion? How does this partnership benefit Indian artisans and manufacturers, as well as international buyers and stakeholders?

India’s craftsmanship and deep jewelry heritage bring a unique cultural richness to INHORGENTA 2025. The India Pavilion will showcase exceptional designs, gemstones, and traditional techniques, offering attendees an immersive experience. This collaboration not only opens doors for Indian artisans to access international markets but also provides buyers with diverse, high-quality products. The partnership symbolizes a bridge between tradition and innovation, benefiting all stakeholders by fostering meaningful global connections.

The “FHH Cultural Space” is a new addition to INHORGENTA. What inspired this partnership, and how does it align with the event’s goals?

The collaboration with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) reflects our commitment to celebrating watchmaking as both an art form and a cultural treasure. The FHH Cultural Space will provide attendees with insights into the heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation of fine watchmaking, perfectly aligning with INHORGENTA’s mission to educate and inspire while elevating the standards of the industry. We are constantly working on expanding our range and enriching INHORGENTA with innovative ideas and elements. The FHH Cultural Space will expand our watch portfolio. It perfectly complements our extensive range of international brands as well as new and traditional manufacturers. With this cultural level, we can offer our audience an insight into the fascinating history of watchmaking craftsmanship and artistry. FHH is the ideal partner for this.

You’ve introduced new elements such as the Experience Hub and recruiting areas for young talents. How do these features reflect INHORGENTA’s dynamic and inclusive approach?

These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to promoting a dynamic and forward-looking industry. The Cultural Space will replace the Experience Hub in 2025. These efforts ensure that INHORGENTA remains not only a marketplace, but also a space for education, inspiration and professional growth.

INHORGENTA has seen over 4% growth in exhibitors and space. What do you attribute this success to, and what challenges come with such rapid expansion? How many brands do you expect for this edition?

This growth reflects our tailored approach to exhibitor and visitor needs, along with strategic international outreach and enhanced thematic areas like “Wedding World.” However, rapid expansion brings logistical challenges, such as maintaining quality while scaling up. For 2025, we expect over 1.300 exhibiting brands, representing a diverse mix of established names and emerging players, which will further enrich the event. We are seeing a great deal of interest in the watches, especially from independent brands. In addition to renowned brands such as Porsche Design, Junghans, Ebel, Mühle-Glashütte and Tutima Glashütte, the watch portfolio will be further expanded with new top exhibitors such as Eberhard Co, Fossil Group, Favre-Leuba, Aigner and Roamer. The Salon Suisse with twelve independent watch brands or the strongly growing French Pavilion complete the offer with a total of around 130 watch exhibitors from all over the world.

Sustainability and innovation are significant topics in the jewelry and watch industries. How is INHORGENTA addressing these issues in its programming and partnerships?Sustainability is at the core of our programming, with dedicated workshops, panels, and collaborations highlighting ethical sourcing, circular design, and innovative materials. Partnerships with industry leaders ensure we provide actionable insights and tools to help participants adopt sustainable practices.

As Exhibition Director, what are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of organizing such a globally recognized event?

The most rewarding aspect is seeing the tangible impact INHORGENTA has on businesses helping brands grow, fostering international connections, and driving innovation. The biggest challenge lies in balancing tradition and modernity, ensuring the event evolves with industry trends while preserving its heritage and authenticity. In addition, INHORGENTA is specifically designed to offer both exhibitors and trade visitors unique opportunities to gain a comprehensive overview of the market and make valuable contacts. Face-to-face encounters are invaluable as they build trust and facilitate deeper connections. In recent years, we have all become aware of the importance of face-to-face interactions, which strengthen the success of brick-and-mortar retail. This is why we continue to invest in INHORGENTA.

Beyond 2025, are there any exciting developments or collaborations in the pipeline that you can share with us?

I can’t reveal too much yet, but we plan to expand INHORGENTA’s reach with even more international partnerships and enhanced digital solutions. We are also exploring new thematic areas to keep pace with emerging trends and ensure the show remains a center for innovation and excellence. Stay tuned for exciting announcements!