London Jewellery Week to showcase cutting-edge designs
LONDON, May 2011 – London Jewellery Week will offer a bigger programme of events this year, encompassing state-of-the-art designs from the Jewellery stars of today and tomorrow.
“The geographical spread of London Jewellery Week is much larger in 2011. We’re going from East to West, and from North to South,” said Della Tinsley, Managing Director of London Jewellery Week.
“The events that we are hosting internally are much bigger,” she said of the programme which will run from 6-12 June.
London Jewellery Week has increased the number of its headline sponsors this year. Jaguar, Bahamas Tourism, Boodles, Swarovski, the Royal Exchange and Barclays Wealth are all supporting the events.
LATEST DESIGNS
More than 120 jewellers and designer-makers – well above last year’s number – will be showing off their latest pieces at Treasure to be staged throughout the week at Victoria House in Holborn, central London.
In a brand new initiative, The Jewellery Show has teamed up with London Jewellery Week to host The Jewellery Show Salon, a trade day at Treasure on Thursday 9 June at which retail buyers will have the opportunity to order jewellery from exhibitors.
“The Jewellery Show Salon will be a chance for exhibitors to meet and network with domestic and international buyers,” Tinsley said.
Treasure will host a Goldsmiths’ Company Pavilion for the first time, featuring intricate laser welded platinum jewellery by Tom Rucker, stunning architecture-inspired pieces by Daphne Krinos, and nature-themed jewels by award-winning young artist-jeweller Ornella Iannuzzi, who takes her latest inspiration from a field trip to Ethiopia.
A Gala Private View for invited guests and the Treasure Award Ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday 9 June.
On Friday 10 June Fairtrade Foundation will host a VIP reception to celebrate the launch of Fairtrade Gold and Essence, the ethical pavilion at Treasure curated by CRED, a leading ethical luxury jeweller.
Sunday 11 June will be the last day to visit Treasure, which will be offering tickets for Champagne brunch/afternoon tea.
You can even meet the designers so if you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, you can commission something special.
Jewellers at Treasure will work with you to create something personal and unique.
Another event showcasing the latest in design will be JewelEast, coming to Old Spitalfields Market in east London with new designers, and fabulous costume and vintage jewellery.
“JewelEast will be a week long celebration of emerging jewellers featuring workshops, demonstrations and catwalk events centred around London’s largest jewellery market,” Tinsley said.
The Lesley Craze Gallery in Clerkenwell, east London, will host a Private View on Thursday 9 June to showcase new collections by 12 of the world’s foremost jewellery and metalwork artists.
“The selected artists work in materials such as wood, metal, Nylon, paper and precious metals, and use techniques as diverse as hand crochet to 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping,” the London Jewellery Week managing director said.
Across the capital in west London, jewellery designers and retailers in the upscale Westbourne Grove neighbourhood, including Pippa Small, have joined forces to stage “Westbourne Gold” to show off their latest precious designs.
COUTURE PLATINUM JEWELLERY DESIGNS
London Jewellery Week will also offer visitors the chance to view couture platinum jewellery pieces crafted by some of the finest designers in the UK.
For a second year running, luxury retailer PureJewels has invited six designers to collaborate on an exciting project to create inspirational pieces of platinum jewellery based on its unique cultural heritage.
PureJewels will launch the pieces at a special event to be held during London Jewellery Week.
The Platinum Heritage Collection was brought to life by six jewellery designers in 2010.
Each beautifully crafted piece in platinum and diamonds reflected the cultural journey that the family-run business which became PureJewels had taken from India to England via Kenya.
So far four of the selected jewellers have been announced: Sarah Ho, Cara Tonkin, Anthony Roussel and Milena Kovanovic.
EDUCATION, DAYS OUT
A number of educational events will reinforce London Jewellery Week, and span a variety of hot topics.
As part of the Goldsmiths’ Company Day of Knowledge, Vogue Jewellery Editor Carol Woolton will host a day of seminars focused on “Jewellery for Fashion” on Thursday 9 June, with high-profile designers including Theo Fennell, Louisa Guinness and Stephen Webster sharing inspiration behind their designs.
Carol will also be signing her recent book, “Jewellery for Fashion”. By reservation with the Goldsmiths’ Company.
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office will stage a Jewellery Fakes and Forgeries Seminar on Friday 10 June.
“This unique event is a must for collectors, dealers, auction houses, retailers and anyone interested in the world of jewellery and watches,” Tinsley said.
“Learn how to spot faked gemstones, hallmarks, jewellery and watches with hands-on sessions and lectures by experts from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.”
The cost is 65 pounds per person, including lunch and wine. By reservation.
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office will hold a Consumer Workshop explaining how hallmarks, a form of consumer protection, work – All about Hallmarks.
Attendees can even test a personal item of jewellery for its precious metal content using the most up-to-date assaying techniques.
The cost is 10 pounds per person. By reservation.
On Saturday 11 June, at the Hatton Garden Festival in the diamond jewellery quarter of east London, craftsmen will demonstrate diamond jewellery manufacturing techniques.
Get a “behind the scenes” look at open workshops and studio tours.
Visitors to Platform Gallery will get a taste of the hottest new names on the London jewellery scene.
Enjoy the music, food and the Thienot Champagne bar!
Finally, don’t miss the fabulous array of jewellers exhibiting as part of OXO Jewellers – Bench Mark series.
The week of events at London’s OXO Tower will see four independent, design-led jewellery galleries showcasing their latest collections and exhibiting alongside some of the top jewellery designers.
Visit: Josef Koppmann Gallery, Alan Vallis Gallery, Studio Fusion Gallery and Graeme McColm Gallery to meet the designers themselves and see their amazing creations!
For more details about any of the events mentioned above, please go to:
