Events & Awards

IJL Trade Show Announces This Year’s ‘Bright Young Gems’

Events & AwardsAug 22, 2016

IJL Trade Show Announces This Year’s ‘Bright Young Gems’

The International Jewellery London trade show, slated for Sept. 4 to 6, has announced five young Jewelry designers it will showcase in its emerging talent initiative.

20160822-BrightYoungGems-3.jpg
A work by Shiyun Chen, one of the emerging designers to be showcased at the upcoming International Jewellery London trade show

London--International Jewellery London, the longstanding fine jewelry trade show, has announced its 2016 line-up of “Bright Young Gems,” an initiative that showcases emerging design talents.

The group of five designers is selected from a pool of students in their final year at various U.K. colleges and universities.

This year, the selection committee consisted of Hilary Alexander, Editor at Large of Hello! Fashion Monthly magazine; Vivienne Becker, a jewelry historian and contributing editor to the Financial Times--How to Spend It magazine; Claudia Mahoney, the executive fashion and beauty director of Glamour; Anabel Davidson, editor of Vanity Fair on Jewellery; and designer Shaun Leane.

The five designers chosen to present their collections at International Jewellery London on Sept. 4 to 6, are Talisa Bergen, Katy Tromans, Stephanie Wills, Rebecca Wilkes and Shiyun Chen. Yoonkyo Bae and Stephanie O’Leary received honorable mentions.

Leane commented, “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.”

“This year’s Bright Young Gems have been distinguished by a considerable degree of technical virtuosity, allied to an innovative approach to high-tech and traditional materials,” added Alexander. “The winning submissions each display the thorough knowledge of the jeweler’s craft with exceptional creativity. It is young jewelers such as these 2016 Bright Young Gems who are helping to ensure the future of the industry.”

IJL’s event director, Sam Willoughby, commented, “To date this initiative has introduced 55 talented young designers to the industry. It is so rewarding to be able to provide them with their first commercial platform to showcase their work to such an influential audience.”

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

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