Regional previews culminate in London at Goldsmiths’ Pavilion
LONDON, June 2013 – An exclusive preview of International Jewellery London’s 2013 KickStart designers was held for leading retailers at the Goldsmiths’ Pavilion at Somerset House in London this month.
The exhibition, which celebrated the best of contemporary British design, provided a superb backdrop for the new KickStarters to showcase their work during the day, followed by a special champagne reception for VIP guests and members of the IJL Diamond Club and Advisory Board.
Sam Willoughby, IJL Event Director, said: “This is the first time that all the KickStarters for 2013 are exhibiting together, ahead of their debut at IJL in September – and it is a very special moment for us.
“Not only because it is a timely reminder that in Britain we have some of the most innovative and inspirational talent in the world, but also that as IJL we are able to help launch and nurture these new stars of the future.”
Guests, who were drawn from the country’s top jewellery buyers and industry figures, welcomed the opportunity to get a glimpse for the first time of some of the outstanding new designers and collections to be unveiled at IJL this September.
Julia Clarke, Managing Director of Hester Clarke Fine Jewellers in Aylesbury and a member of the IJL Advisory Board IJL Diamond Club, said: “I was very excited to see so many talented designers all under one roof.
“It was another super IJL event, full of talent. I was especially drawn to the IJL Kickstarters and meeting the 2013 cohort for the first time.
“I was very impressed with the quality and diversity of their designs, plus the actual quality of production, which is essential for a fine jewellery shop such as mine.
“I love IJL and am now even more looking forward to visiting the show in September.”
The London event follows the successful previews held in the key jewellery retail destinations of Leeds and Edinburgh for some of the UK’s most high profile retailers.
It was designed to provide a ‘soft launch ‘into the world of exhibiting for the 10 new British jewellery designers selected as KickStarters.
An initiative developed by IJL and the BJA to support up-and-coming British designers, which provides a unique career boost with the chance to establish unrivalled retail and industry contacts within the commercial environment of IJL.
One of the IJL Kickstarters presenting her pieces at the Goldsmiths’ Pavilion, was Christiana Christoforou.
Whilst studying for a degree, Christiana had a real interest in the development of design and making. This led her to begin to look at identity and she decided to leave clay at the entrance to strangers’ homes in London, with a message inviting them to participate in her project by imprinting something of their identity into the material.
Using this unconventional method of design, she left the public to determine the basis of her pieces.
“I am looking at the buyer and what they like,” Christiana told Jewellery Outlook at the Goldsmiths’ Pavilion.
Her fascinating pieces consist of multiple cast fragments of these collected identities, refined and united.
Her unique pieces are all sterling silver with elements that are plated in rose and yellow gold.
Another Kickstarter at the Goldsmiths’ Pavilion was Katie Jamieson, a multiple award winning jewellery designer based in London.
Newly graduated from Central Saint Martins BA Jewellery, she was selected as a Bright Young Gem at IJL 2012 and went on to win both the ECOne unsigned 2012 and Wolf and Badger Graduate Design awards 2013.
Katie makes fine, handmade pieces with exceptional attention to detail and the careful craftsmanship of the traditional jewellery maker.
Using gold, silver and precious gemstones, Katie believes jewellery should be worn boldly and playfully but should last a lifetime.
Her new “Hidden” collection, launching through Kickstart at IJL 2013, marries her two main sources of inspiration: architectural forms and the abundant colours in nature.
“All the pieces feature brightly coloured stones that are partially hidden — and revealed when you maybe move the hand, or the earring revolves,” she said.
