Victorian style wins Central Saint Martins award
LONDON, June 27, 2010 – A Victorian style diamond necklace by Ms Mayuko Yamamura won the 2010 Central Saint Martins award held in collaboration with Cool Diamonds.
Senior industry figures, including jewellery designer Theo Fennell and Michel Einhorn, managing director of Cool Diamonds, a leading European internet-based diamond jeweller, were among the judges at the ceremony held inside Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design in central London on June 23.
CSM 2010 winner necklace
The judges evaluated a design on its creativity, inspirational concept, wearability, craftsmanship and, most importantly, how it showcased the diamond.
“The inspiration for the necklace was vintage design from the Victorian era,” said Mayuko Yamamura, referring to her necklace called “Victorian Nostalgia”.
“Collecting vintage objects and their design has always been a passion of mine,” she added.
“I wanted to create a piece in keeping with the period and to evoke an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia.”
CSM 2010 judges and winner
Phattra Maneerattanaporn was second with “Belle of the Bal”; Aurelie Schweizer was third with “Invisible Structures”, and Harriet Smith was fourth with “Dracula”.
The winner’s design will be exhibited along with those of the other three finalists on the Cool Diamonds’ website for a minimum period of two years.
Einhorn said commercial vision was an important element in the judging process.
“The first few years that students are here, they learn about design. What we bring into the equation is to give them a sense of what must be done commercially so that they can be successful in the real world when they leave university,” Einhorn said.
Fennell told Jewellery Outlook, “There is an incredibly high standard of designers in London. These pieces are very good. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this. I like to get involved with students’ work.”
