Fashion rocks!

Apr 21 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

Vicky Pepys is looking to book a sparkling week

WE all know what London Fashion Week is. A packed timetable of season forward shows; it attracts international attention with the whole of the fashion capital joining in with themed window displays, promotions, and special events. News coverage is a given.

How envious other trades must be sitting by watching all the fuss. More patient than most, and waiting for their time in the limelight are UK’s jewellers aptly described by Swarovski as “the unsung heroes of fashion”.

So much part of fashion but rather shuffled into the sidelines and treated as accessories themselves rather than stars. The time has come to break the mould and given the organisational push by the City Fringe Partnership funded by the London Development Council, they’ve got a showcase slot. Behold a new entry into the must-see-must-do calendar is the Coutts London Jewellery Week.

Running from June 11 to 15 this week will be devoted to bringing the talents of UK jewellers (an industry worth over £3bn) to the fore with special parties, shows, seminars, treasure hunts, and events dedicated to their talents.

Thoroughly recommended is a visit to Hatton Garden (the historical and current heart of the diamond and gemstone industry) where Holts Academy of Jewellery intend to hold “taster” days, workshops and lectures and even the chance to find precious gemstones hidden in the vicinity.

If you’re interested in more edgy pieces a visit to young designers in situ in their own studios at Cockpit Arts in Holborn is well worth the walk from the tube.

Rachel Galley’s playful silver pieces conceal semi-precious gemstones which ‘ring’ when worn, they’re inspired by the texture of one sided toast. Jackie Cullen, the only jeweller working in a contemporary style with Whitby Jet has seen her work on screen in Harry Potter films; Teri Howes has ‘invented’ silver and gold crochet work and Sarah King, perhaps the most adventurous, has expressed her art in precious metals but is currently exploring eco friendly bio-resin as a preferred material with pieces resembling large eggs and starting prices of £800 and upwards.

Can’t get down to London? What about a local alternative? Visit www.acsilver.co.uk for diamonds and antique jewellery in Fern Avenue, Newcastle. See Stephen Webster and Shaun Leane at Richard Sinton, Eldon Garden, Williamson Brown, Clayton Road, Newcastle and Saunders and Pughe, Corbridge. Check out The Biscuit Factory, Shipley Art Gallery and The Laing Art Gallery for the up and coming.