IJL announces 2012 KickStart line-up
LONDON, June, 2012 – The International Jewellery London team has announced the KickStart designers for 2012.
A preview took place for Diamond Club members and IJL’s Advisory Board on 13th June at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, to unveil the designers ahead of the jewellery show (2nd-5th September).
KickStart provides an excellent way for retailers and buyers to find out about outstanding new designers as they launch.
IJL runs the programme, supported by the British Jewellers’ Association (BJA).
“KickStart provides a fantastic commercial launch pad for 10 of the best new designers in the UK jewellery industry,” said Event Director Sam Willoughby.
“Their jewellery is of an extremely high standard in terms of both quality and originality. The Design Gallery at IJL provides a unique and intimate setting for the industry to meet the designers and see their stunning work on the KickStart stand.”
The line-up of BJA members who have been selected as the KickStarters for 2012 is as follows:
Imogen Belfield
Imogen creates fine jewellery in gold, silver, porcelain and gemstones. Her pieces have already won the attention of celebrities, including Uma Thurman, Cindy Crawford and Jessie J. She was first ‘discovered’ when she was selected by a panel of leading jewellery editors for the Bright Young Gems in 2011, and her work is rapidly going from strength to strength.
Speaking about KickStart 2012, Imogen said: “I am looking forward to embracing the opportunity to present my brand to a wider market audience, in the UK and internationally.”
Through specialised hand carving techniques she creates pieces in textured metals, with an organic twist. Her collections are often embellished with clusters of nuggets, glinting green emeralds, ocean blue sapphires and luxuriant crimson rubies that sit deep in the natural crevices of gold, silver and bronze, which are all reminiscent of the precarious boulders that cling and jut out of coastal landscapes.
Mandana Oskoui
Graduating from Kensington and Chelsea College with a First Class triple grade Distinction and award for outstanding work, Mandana’s creations are inspired by the diverse formations, sequences and architectures found in minerals and rocks.
“KickStart is an integral part of IJL, one that highlights new, up and coming jewellery talent. To be one of only a few selected for this prestigious show is a real honour,” said Mandana Oskoui. “I am extremely excited about being part of KickStart as it will provide me, my business and designs with invaluable exposure and publicity aimed directly at the jewellery industry. I look forward to networking with fellow designers as well as finding new stockists to build long-lasting relationships with. I am also looking forward to raising my profile as a designer and meeting with influential and significant individuals and organisations within our industry. I know it is going to be a successful show and I can’t wait to launch my new collection there.”
Clarice Price Thomas
Clarice designs jewellery which combines her interests in machinery, movements, mechanisms and antiques, with an elegant design philosophy. Her debut collection, Time, has been heavily inspired by the unseen inside clocks and watches. Her innovative style is sure to be key to her success.
“I am really excited to have been selected to exhibit as part of this year’s KickStart at IJL. For my business, I feel this will be an important step in being able to showcase my work at such an incredible show with the support of the other KickStarters,” Clarice Price Thomas said.
Flavie Michou
At 15, Flavie attended the prestigious Boule school. She developed her skills in designing at workshops, making pieces for brands like Tiffany, Channel and Cartier to name a few. She has now left Paris to come to London.
“I am confident in the jewellery that I produce, keen to get my new collections noticed and have always been passionate about making jewellery that is both contemporary and unique,” said Flavie Michou. “That’s why I love the support of industry professionals to boost my brand awareness and believe KickStart is the best way to achieve this.”
Lestie Lee
Lestie specialises in sterling silver, gold vermeil with semi precious and precious stones, and all her pieces are hand-made in London. Her instinctive relationship with natural materials is unique.
“I am delighted to be participating in the IJL 2012 show. I view KickStart as an invaluable platform for designers in the industry, opening a multitude of new doors at home and globally,” said Lestie Lee as the 2012 line-up was announced.
Myia Bonner
A recent graduate from Middlesex University, Myia’s delicate yet bold collections explore her interest in the traditions of diamonds. Myia reinterprets the most coveted stone and redesigns each cut to create her signature facet design.
Myia Bonner is thrilled that her jewellery has won support: “I’m delighted to be exhibiting at IJL with KickStart. It is such an invaluable and sought-after platform for new designers such as myself. I’m looking forward to gaining lots of guidance and support from the BJA and IJL”.
Quarter Angel
Prior to establishing Quarter Angel, Jessica Neil worked in some of London’s best open spaces. The outdoors influences all her collections – ‘Skyline’ for example is inspired by the magnificent views of London seen from Hampstead Heath. Silver is photoetched, with oxidised detail creating a striking contrast with the matt silver.
Pieces are also made in Perspex, where etching of this lightweight, tactile material is very effective at showing the intricate design details. Quarter Angel’s new collection, with its mixed metals, sparkly stones and feathers, is an exciting departure from the neat, clean lines of the Skyline collection.
Ros Millar
Ros designs and makes her own pieces, for example her organically inspired gold and silver cuttlebone cast jewellery. Her latest collection, ‘Black & Rose Growth’, focuses mainly on black oxidised and rose gold plated silver stacking rings and neckpieces, and has been described as having a ‘glamorously gothic twist and a luxe edge’.
At IJL, Ros will launch a new collection, Meteor, which will gleam with sparkling rose and white rhodium gold plate alongside champagne diamonds discreetly set and hidden within each piece. “I am looking forward to showing my collections at my first trade event and launching my new ‘Meteor’ Collection,” Ros Millar said.
De Anna Kiernan
Bermuda born Jeweller, De Anna trained as a Goldsmith from the age of 17 prior to studying Architecture at Central Saint Martins. Influenced by the clean lines of modernist architecture and the elegant female form, the jewellery embodies a minimalist aesthetic with a focus on subtly framing the body.
The signature free form lines and undulating surfaces create a bold look, drawing on the natural contours of the body, including a broad range of statement pieces.
Annaloucah Fine Jewellery
London based designer goldsmith Annaloucah creates luxurious fine jewellery, working with Fairtrade and recycled precious materials.
She has participated in numerous high profile brand collaborations, and is now making her collections available to the trade for the first time, as she takes her brand in an exciting new direction.
Annaloucah is looking forward to her debut: “Being selected for the KickStart programme provides a supported and guided way of participating in IJL for the first time. It’s great to know that such a strong network of experience is available to help me make the most of my IJL debut”.
