Jaipur Watch Company’s Gaurav Mehta launches design foundation for next gen fashion designers

Jaipur Watch Company’s founder Gaurav Mehta has launched the Gaurav Mehta Design Foundation. Designed to hone and celebrate design talent across India, the foundation has launched with a contest to design an analog wristwatch.

“Having carved my path in watch design without formal training, I understand the importance of support and real-world experience,” said Gaurav Mehta in a press release. “It’s time to give back and pave the way for students whose creative potentials are waiting to be discovered and embraced.”
 
The contest aims to uplift budding watch design talent and encourage innovation in the industry. Design students are invited to reinterpret traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern elements while creating a design that also prioritises wearability and comfort. The design must also blend seamlessly with the Jaipur Watch Company’s own watch range, according to Mehta.
 
The winner of the Gaurav Mehta Design Foundation’s contest will win a cash prize of Rs 25,000 along with an internship at the Jaipur Watch Company. The initiative aims to give talented designers an entry point into the industry, especially if they do not have their own connections or formal training.
 
The Jaipur Watch Company retails luxury timepieces from its boutiques in cities including Jaipur, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Pune as well as multi-brand outlets in locations including Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru, according to its website. The brand launched in 2013 and describes itself as India’s first bespoke watch company.