Autumn Trade Shows
August, September and October are one of the busiest times for trade shows, with a chance for us to source new and exciting jewellers, as well as new collections from our existing designers.
IJL LONDON
IJL is one shows that over the years I have found less and less inspiring to visit, regarding exhibitors, and rather oppressing with the old venue at Earls Court.
So it was going to be interesting to visit it this year at its new home in Olympia.
What a great move it turned out to be from the organisers! The venue was so much nicer, with its glass ceilings allowing natural daylight to flood in, and its character wrought iron balconies and features. As a buyer it was uplifting to walk around and peruse the jewellery in a nice environment, and from talking to the exhibitors it was also far better for them too.
I particularly loved the fact that all the designer jewellery was on the top balcony away from the hustle and bustle of the international fine jewellery, gemstone merchants and tool and packaging stands.
As for the quality, diversity and originality of the jewellery I was very impressed. It was so nice to see well known designers back exhibiting at the show as well as up and coming new jewellers. See some of our favourites below.
MIRRI DAMER
Mirri has been a regular exhibitor in the gallery over the years, so it was wonderful to see her. We choose some new work for this coming Christmas, as well as some of her more precious new designed rings, for our ‘Ringing The Changes’ exhibition next march 2015.
Miri is a designer from Cornwall so even better for us to support South West designers.
KOKKINO
Another of our long time exhibitors, Melanie Ankers, founder of Kokkino, was there with a brand new collection. We have just received the Isis collection of silver with gold plate to compliment the colourful enamel work that we already have from Kokkino. So far our customers love it.
FLOWERIE’88
Rie Tanabe, aka Flowerie’88 was there with her new collection of almost translucent leather with opaque coloured jewellery combined with silver, gold and pearls. We also now have this collection in the gallery alongside her whimsical animal and insect silver and gold jewellery.
TRACEY BIRCHWOOD
Tracey is one of our original jewellers who supplied us when we first opened nearly 9 years ago! So great to see her again at the show and be prompted to have her collections back in the gallery. Made from porcelain with fine silver wires the work is very affordable and popular – we have almost sold out and will definitely need some more stock for Christmas!
LATHAM & NEVE
Latham and Neve are a staple to the gallery and visiting the trade shows is very important for us to see what new work our designers, like Latham and Neve are producing.
GEMMA SCULLY
Gemma Scully is one of our new designers sourced from the show. Her work uses precious metals with a complimentary mix of textures, finishes and metals. We think the simplicity of designs will appeal to many of our customers for christmas presents – again an affordable range.
PHOEBE
Autumn wouldn’t be the same without one of its most iconic designs for jewellery! We loved the beautifully turned wood acorn encased in silver or gold, which looks great on and again easy gifts for Christmas.
GOLDSMITHS FAIR
We visit Goldsmiths Fair every year, which I believe has one of the best selection of both British and International jewellers in the beautiful setting of Goldsmiths Hall in the heart of London. Here we are looking mainly for precious work, for our rings exhibition in the Spring of 2015, ‘Ringing The Changes’.
Here below are a few that we are having or hoping to have, for the exhibition, and one or two for Summer 2015.
LUCIE GLEDHILL
Lucie’s work is just perfect for ‘Ringing The Changes’ and we are delighted that she is taking part. A graduate from the Royal College of Art in 2009 her work is definitely Goldsmiths quality.
JACQUELINE MINA OBE
It was a pleasure to meet Jacqueline Mina OBE in person. When a designer is so well known, both here as a British designer and also internationally, it is refreshing to find them so easy to talk to and interested in talking about her work. It is yet to be confirmed but we are hoping that she can give us a small collection for the ‘Ringing The Changes’ exhibition 2015, fingers crossed!
SUE LANE
I have known Sue Lane’s work for many years now, so it was delightful to meet her and we are very much hoping to have her exhibiting. Helped by a recommendation by one of our regular designers and a friend or Sue’s and myself, Kate Smith – thanks Kate!
DAGMAR KORECKI
For specialised exhibitions we often invite International designers to take part and Dagmar’s work is absolutely beautiful – therefore we are definateley inviting her!
TANJA UFER
I have got to know Tanja quite well over the years of visiting the fairs and absolutely adore her work! Inspired by the shapes in the landscape and every day life she creates these almost architectural style amazing rings. She has been very busy over the last few years juggling bringing up a family and making her jewellery, but I think she may have a bit more time on her hands now, to give us some work for the show – we are really hoping!
HAMISH DOBBIE
Hamish is a silversmith and jeweller. I was particularly taken with his selection of cufflinks and they are soon to be in the gallery. He tells me that he has even done some new designs since Goldsmiths Fair, so these will be exclusive to us, for at least a few months!
STACEY BENTLEY
I met Stacey last year at Goldsmiths Fair and having seen her work again, we decided that it would definitely suit the gallery, so we are delighted that she will be showing with us in Summer 2015. An interesting mix of oxidised silver with vibrant enamels.
Olivia Schlevogt
Olivia exhibited with us for the first time for ‘Ringing The Changes’ 2014. I met her at Goldsmiths Fair last year.
Her work was so popular that we have invited her to exhibit again with us this Autumn and Christmas. We are looking forward to it arriving soon.
JOHN MOORE
To finish off I have to mention John Moore’s beautiful precious collection. As one of our long term designers, we have loved his vibrant anodised aluminium collections over the years, but always wondered what his work would be like in silver and gold, we were not disappointed – well done John and yes please to a small collection sometime!!