IJL Editor’s Choice winners announced
LONDON, June 9, 2013 – The winning pieces selected as the Editor’s Choice at International Jewellery London (IJL) this year have been announced ahead of the show on September 1-4.
Now in its fifth year, Editor’s Choice recognises designers and producers showcasing the most original and cutting edge jewellery at IJL. It highlights brands creating innovative, eye-catching and commercial jewellery collections.
Pieces are judged and winners selected by Claire Adler, Jewellery and Luxury Writer and Consultant.
“The Editor’s Choice awards at IJL this year are a fresh mix of original thinking, daring design and sound business. Our eight winning designers range from one brand which had a significant presence at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, to designers on the cusp of establishing a foothold on the international jewellery scene,” said Claire Adler.
There are four categories designed to identify outstanding work: Technical Excellence, Visual Impact, Originality and Commercial Vision.
The 2013 categories and winners are:
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE – a piece or collection that boasts an impressive technical innovation or rarely used technique, resulting in a thought provoking jewel.
Winner: Filipa Oliveira
Black Preciousness Brooch
Oliveira’s work explores the ancient and traditional technique of filigree and its history, which is associated with different people, cultures and times. She contemporizes filigree, creating a delicate and detailed work, which transmits technical heritage and encompasses the soul of the past and present. This oxidised brooch is made of silver, 18ct yellow gold vermeil with citrine and filigree.
Highly Commended: Fei Liu
Rock Crystal Cuff
In his latest Platinum one-off pieces, Liu explores the possibilities of rock crystal as a material, with pieces created from hand-carved pieces of solid rock crystal and meticulously drilled to mount dozens of platinum and diamond butterflies.
Polished to a transparent finish, Liu successfully creates the illusion of weightlessness from pieces of solid rock.
VISUAL IMPACT – a show stopping piece or collection most likely to be picked up by press because it photographs brilliantly and will look great in a magazine.
Winner: Annabelle Lucilla
Double Oriental Peacock Necklace
The Peacock Necklace features intricately etched metallic graphics. Modernized Filigree-esque fretwork balances delicately domed etched peacocks, which have elegant symmetry, balance of form and shape, with the use of curvilinear lines complementing the parallel, geometric profiles.
Highly Commended: SHO – Sarah Ho
Couture Paradis Earrings
Delicately hand crafted in platinum with 18ct rose gold accents, and set with 5.68cts of beautiful brilliant cut diamonds and stunning rare conch pearls, the earrings are delicate and articulated so they gently move when worn and the top section gently caresses the ear.
Highly Commended: Tresor Paris
Blue Crystal Harness
Tresor Paris presents a spectacular nine-piece couture collection designed by cult London fashion Label PPQ. Each item including the Blue Crystal Harness is handmade adhering to PPQ’s striking designs and incorporates Tresor Paris’ iconic sparkle to produce the most eye-catching, photogenic and vibrant jewellery.
ORIGINALITY – a piece or collection that celebrates individualistic style and shows off the unique talents of the designer.
Winner: Rachel Entwistle
Shoulder Piece
The piece comes from the Memento Mori range, literally reminders of our mortality, beginning with bones as the central element. The designs feature bronze and silver castings of bones, use of unique vintage chain and fine chain as well as rough cut pyrite stones.
COMMERCIAL VISION – a piece or collection being produced in volume that demonstrates thorough research of the target market and trends and is likely to fly off the shelves.
Winner: Claudia Bradby
Essentials Range
Inspired by a mood for sophisticated understatement this contemporary range highlights the simple beauty of the pearl, showcased on a sparkling silver chain, simple round hoop earrings and a neat silver bangle. The contrast of textures, and materials – the lustre of the pearl offset by the smoothness of the silver and simple elegance of the hoops, as well as the scope for movement within, work to make a range that is perfect for everyday, that is quietly confident without needing to shout.
Highly Commended: Phoebe Jewellery
Squirrel Acorn and Leaf Necklace
The Squirrel Acorn and Leaf Necklace is part of the Woodland Collection. Pieces are made from sterling silver and combined with gold vermeil and beautiful hand turned oak parts to represent acorns. The necklace features gold vermeil red squirrel silhouettes chasing each other around a double chain finished with an oak leaf shaped clasp.
IJL 2013 will run from 1 – 4 September at Earls Court, London.
