BRIGHT YOUNG GEMS® Plans Revealed for 2022 With New Panellists

31 Mar 2022

The much-anticipated Bright Young Gems® initiative returns for 2022 with added opportunities for both BA and MA graduates and an exciting new judging panel – with the support of Retail Associate, John Lewis Partnership, for the first time this year.  

Jewellery designers graduating this summer from UK colleges and universities are invited to apply for this prestigious mentoring programme. This industry-supported initiative, now in its sixteenth year, is designed to discover and nurture new talent whilst providing the winners with their first commercial showcase.

To date the Bright Young Gems platform has supported seventy-three BYG® winners as they embark on their individual careers. The roll-call of previous winners includes designers Pippa Small, Fernando Jorge, Ruth Tomlinson and Tomasz Donocik.

This year the competition is open to both current year BA and MA graduates who are invited to submit their work for both or either of the two categories:

Show Off - Statement pieces

Designs and/or finished pieces showing creative flair with innovative use of materials and which demonstrate potential commercial viability

Responsible Thinking - Sustainable eco-heroes 

Designs and/or finished pieces made with ethically sourced or sustainable materials and which demonstrate potential commercial viability

The two degree groups will be judged separately and four BA winners and two MA graduates will be selected by the stellar line up of judges. All will benefit from publicity and valuable online mentoring in July, provided by associate, the National Association of Jewellers, as well as virtual meetings with each of the judges to discuss their work.

Retail Jeweller have invited the six winning Bright Young Gems® to showcase their collections to senior retail decision makers and buyers at the one-day UK Jewellery Festival 2022 on 1 September, Hilton London Metropole. Here they will also have the chance to hear from some of the most respected names in retail, talking on topics including the future of the store and experiential retailing.

This year’s judging panel includes industry experts as well as influential industry and consumer editors – all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the panel.  Highstreet retailer, The John Lewis Partnership will take up their role as Retail Associate,  adding a wealth of commercial acumen to the panel.  

• Hilary Alexander OBE,  Fashion Commentator and driving force behind the Graduate Fashion Foundation

• Imogen Belfield, Award winning Jewellery Designer who started her career as a Bright Young Gem in 2011

• Elena Bergonzi, Jewellery Buyer for John Lewis

• Jessica Diamond, Watch & Jewellery Director, The Sunday Times Style & The Times LUXX

• Maria Doulton, Editor-in-chief/Co-founder of The Jewellery Editor. 

• Joanna Hardy, Independent Fine Jewellery Specialist

• Susi Smither, Founder of both The Rock Hound, East London’s Gemmologist Jeweller and Fair Luxury, an independent collective of jewellery industry entrepreneurs with a shared vision for a responsible and sustainable industry. 

Image: BYG winners - Photocredit Phil Weedon for Retail Jeweller (1st September 2021) 

The judges are unanimous in their views about the initiative:

Hilary Alexander OBE says,

“Think of emerging jewellery talent and it Is almost impossible not to immediately think of Bright Young Gems®. For nearly two decades, this pioneering platform has championed a new way to identify, mentor and promote the next generation of young stars poised to dazzle the international jewellery market with their innovative creativity and 21st century mindsets.”

Sentiment echoed by returning panellist Jessica Diamond Watch & Jewellery Director, The Sunday Times Style & The Times LUXX,

“Nurturing and supporting new talent has always been a priority for me as an editor and journalist - fresh thinking and an injection of design innovation is vital to keep the jewellery industry moving forward so I'm excited to see what lies in store.”  

Maria Doulton agrees,

“Bright Young Gems is a key initiative for young jewellers in the UK and has the power to transform careers. Starting out as a jeweller is a complex business beyond the exceptional talent and dedication past winners have shown. Bright Young Gems not only offers a showcase for their work but practical support and guidance in the many aspects it takes to make it as a successful jeweller.”  

Elena Bergonzi, Jewellery Buyer for John Lewis Partnership, adds,

“John Lewis is keen to nurture new talent and support these designers on their commercial journey. We are always so impressed by the designers’ creativity and ability to challenge the status quo. They bring exciting ideas and innovation to jewellery design, and we are eager to ensure that the customer will also be able to see and purchase their unique creations in the future.”       

New panellist Joanna Hardy comments,  

“After a very difficult couple of years for young jewellers, the finalists of Bright Young Gems 2022® will have the fabulous opportunity to be mentored by John Lewis. From the winning combination of this invaluable commercial support and these talented designers, we will undoubtedly see some very exciting jewellery that will be made accessible to a very wide audience. This opportunity is a very exciting prospect for the UK jewellery industry.”

Returning judge Susi Smither observes,

“Bright Young Gems® is far more than a competition, it’s a chance for graduates to distil all their skills and knowledge to propel themselves into our competitive the industry. I can’t wait to see what new ideas are flowing with Responsible Thinking and get a glimpse of our future stars.” 

Thoughts echoed by Imogen Belfield,

“BYG is a wonderful competition which attracts the best of graduates. Last year it was extremely hard to  choose the winners as the quality, talent and inspiring ideas were in abundance. I am always impressed by their industrious work and inspirational ideas – it is a joy to see such talent.”                                                   

As in previous years, the National Association of Jewellers will lend their generous support to the initiative, contributing hands on career advice and advising the winners on maximising the opportunity to showcase their work.   Additionally, the Benevolent Society have kindly agreed to provide each winner with a bursary of £300 to help towards travel and exhibiting costs.

Gay Penfold, Chairman of the Benevolent Society, adds,

“The Benevolent Society is pleased to support this year’s Bright young Gems cohort. The support and training that they receive through this initiative is hugely beneficial to them as they embark on their careers in our industry.”

The BYG programme will roll out in April through the colleges and unversities and the deadline for submitting entries is Sunday June 5.

Interested designers can also contact for application information

 

Source: The International Jewellery London Bright Young Gem® and Hammond PR