24th February, 2016

Jewellery: IJL Bright Young Gems project re-launched with sponsorship

IJL 2016 has welcomed a new guest designer judge to the Bright Young Gems panel and announces important sponsorship support for the initiative.

The IJL Bright Young Gems initiative enters a new era in its eleventh year with British luxury fine jewellery designer, Shaun Leane, joining the selection panel. The National Association of Goldsmiths Centenary Trust is also providing valuable sponsorship support through travel and accommodation bursaries worth £200 for each of the five nominated Bright Young Gem designers.

Leane, who replaces retiring panellist Bec Astley Clarke MBE, Founder and Executive Chairman of Astley Clarke, joins the prestigious judging panel of Hilary Alexander, OBE, Editor at Large Hello Fashion Monthly magazine, Vivienne Becker of the Financial Times - How To Spend It magazine, Claudia Mahoney, Executive Fashion and Beauty Director of Glamour magazine and Annabel Davidson, Editor of Vanity Fair on Jewellery.

Sam Willoughby, Event Director, commented: "Every year the Bright Young Gems programme offers five young innovative designers great exposure and an unparalleled opportunity to access their first commercial platform to showcase their work to such an influential audience. IJL welcomes over 10,350 industry professionals from sixty-four countries during the three days of the show. And it is particularly rewarding to see how many of these young designers have then gone on during the past ten years to become leading stars in the industry".

"We are extremely grateful to have the support of all the major UK universities and colleges", she added, "together now with Shaun, one of the UK's most creative contemporary designers, and The National Association of Jewellers. We are also very appreciative of Bec Astley Clarke's support and guidance over the years".

Commenting on his new role as a panellist, Leane stressed the importance of the industry's supporting Britain's emerging design talent: "Platforms such as Bright Young Gems are essential. They allow our flourishing young designers to grow in all areas of their careers. It is so important that we nurture their talents and aspirations as they are the future of our industry".

Lindsey Straughton of The National Association of Jewellers said: "Bright Young Gems attracts applications from right across the country and this newly established NAG bursary will financially help the nominated designers take their first steps into the commercial world.

"As existing supporters of IJL's very successful KickStart mentoring programme, we are delighted to now be part of this initiative. Several former Bright Young Gems designers have gone on to become high profile KickStarters - and we want to encourage more young designers to take advantage of these two unique, yet seamless, schemes, as part of fast-tracking their careers”.

The Bright Young Gems are selected from final year students at colleges and universities across the UK.

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