Jewellery & Watch (J&W), the UK’s biggest returning jewellery showcase taking place at Moda, has announced the finalists of the inaugural New Jewels Bursary in collaboration with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), and sponsored by Curteis Creates, which will offer an up-and-coming jewellery designer access to invaluable advice and support. The finalists are:
Georgina Yvonne Jewellery: Created in a small workshop just outside of London, Georgina Yvonne creates pendants, rings and earrings through the art of lost wax casting. With a love for art and nature, Georgina combines these elements to create pieces to be adored for a lifetime, for art lovers and nature lovers all over the globe.
Skomer Studio: Skomer Studio was founded by Daisy Simpson in 2019 with the vision of creating contemporary jewellery that elevates the everyday. Originally nurtured as a childhood hobby, Daisy’s love of creation translated into working with precious metals, later honed through studying Jewellery and Silversmithing at Kensington & Chelsea College in London. Sustainability and integrity are the heart of Skomer Studio’s operations and each piece is handcrafted in the Daisy’s North London studio using recycled metals and sustainably sourced stones.
Liz Crow London: Liz Crow graduated with a degree in Fine Art Painting and after taking a few evening courses in jewellery making, decided to take her love of jewellery more seriously with a part time diploma in Hatton Garden. Liz combines the two practices by melting metals and using them expressively in a painterly way, allowing the forms to organically appear with her emotion in the metal. Influenced by the painterly marks of Jackson Pollock, contrasts in lines, shape and texture, a touch of simple vintage Hollywood glamour, and the beauty of fluidity in nature and all the majestic and powerful qualities it possesses, Liz uses various techniques to achieve this aesthetic, including free casting in her studio in Brick Lane and the ancient art of lost wax casting.
Chris Lewis Jewellery: Birmingham-based Chris Lewis creates one of a kind custom-made jewellery including engagement and wedding sets offering a hand tailored experience for couples.
Vellva: Marie-Claire, founder of Vellva, designs and creates beautiful quality, long-lasting pieces of jewellery in unique designs that playfully reimagine classic vintage jewellery. Forever fascinated by her Italian Grandma Celia’s jewellery collection, Vellva was born in 2018 when Marie-Claire set up a website from her bedroom to sell hand-picked vintage jewellery. Drawn to a combination of classic, timeless jewellery box staples and kitsch statement styles, with Italy – its culture, religion, architecture, colours, and design, as a constant source of inspiration, Marie-Claire began designing and hand-making her own jewellery to combine this aesthetic with high-quality materials.
Alejandra Campos, Event Director, Moda says, “We are very excited to announce the finalists of our inaugural New Jewels bursary competition. The standard and variety is awe-inspiring, and we look forward to welcoming these incredibly talented designers to Moda to showcase their designs. I know it is going to be very hard to choose the winner.”
Ben Massey, Principal Officer at the National Association of Jewellers adds, “We were delighted with the breadth and quality of the submissions for the inaugural New Jewels bursary competition. At the National Association of Jewellers, we are here to support the next generation of design talent in the sector. Based on the five finalists, the jewellery industry looks to be in safe hands.”
The judging panel of industry experts include Editor of NAJ’s Magazine The Jeweller Belinda Morris, Stephen Welfare, Partner at top 100 law firm RWK Goodman, Anne-Marie Hamilton, Designer & Product Development Manager from Curteis Creates, award-winning jewellery designer Arabel Lebrusan of Lebrusan Studios, and Moda event director Alejandra Campos. The five finalists will display their designs in the NAJ Lounge at Jewellery & Watch at Moda in Spring Fair from the 5th – 8th February at Birmingham NEC. The final judging will take place at the show and the winner announced on the opening day.
The winner will benefit from an exclusive talent bursary comprising one-to-one mentoring sessions with Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training at Goldsmiths Centre, Emma Richards from Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Belinda Morris, Arabel Lebrusan, and Sharon Good from Good Results PR. The winner will also receive marketing and PR exposure across Spring Fair and the NAJ’s marketing channels, a video interview recorded at Spring Fair’s state-of-the-art London-based studio, a complementary stand at the next show and discounts on the following consecutive editions.
Over 100 exhibitors have joined the re-launch of Jewellery & Watch (J&W). This represents the biggest jewellery showcase in the UK and brings back together national and international brands across fine jewellery, jewellery designers, fashion jewellery, loose gems and jewellery services. As an integral part of Moda at Spring Fair, J&W offers the diverse community of jewellery buyers and retailers the opportunity to access the latest collections and trends in one place. It is perfectly timed with the international calendar and held at the heart of the jewellery quarter, at NEC Birmingham from 5th – 8th February 2023. The sparkling line-up includes: Hanron Jewellery, Breuning, Gecko, Sea Gems, Herbert Marx, Scream Pretty, MG Diamonds, Leslie Donn, Perfection Jewellery, Goodman Bros, D&X, Town Talk Polish, Hagerty, Lox, Inverness, Gracee Jewellery, Chris Lewis Silver, Reeves & Reeves, The Old Farmhouse Jewellery, Esoteric London, LBJ Jewellery, London Pearl, R E Morrish, Deil Joseph, and many more.
With a treasure trove of fashion accessories, jewellery, footwear and womenswear, Moda is the ultimate fashion destination at Spring Fair offering over 300 brands and thousands of new products and collections. With live trend-led fashion shows and four days of inspirational and insightful seminars, Moda presents an essential hub for creativity, collaboration, and buying.
