Get Your Jewellery Career off to a Flying Start with the IJL Journey

Get Your Jewellery Career off to a Flying Start with the IJL Journey

What do Pippa Small, Tomasz Donocik, Fernando Jorge, Imogen Belfield, Ruth Tomlinson and Sophie Breitmeyer have in common aside from their phenomenal jewellery design talents?

Since 2005, all of these award-winning jewellers have been on the IJL Journey; utilising the Bright Young Gems and KickStart schemes offered by International Jewellery London early in their careers to give their brands a boost.

These reputation-building initiatives are completely unique in the UK jewellery industry, offering students and emerging jewellery designers the chance to show off, meet press and sign those all-important orders with retailers.

Bright Young Gems and KickStart are just two steps in the IJL Journey, which takes brands and businesses from their infancy all the way to global domination.

The IJL Journey KickStart Bright Young Gems

Is the IJL Bright Young Gems scheme right for me?

Bright Young Gems is designed specifically for final year students at UK colleges and universities. If you think you have the talent, creative eye and ambition to be the next big thing in jewellery, we want to hear from you!

Read more: Discover the 2016 Bright Young Gems 

All the applicants to Bright Young Gems will be considered by our expert panel of judges, including Hilary Alexander, editor-at-large at Hello Fashion Monthly, Annabel Davidson, editor of Vanity Fair on Jewellery, British fine jewellery designer Shaun Leane, executive fashion and jewellery editor at Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country, Charlie Boyd, and Sunday Times Style jewellery editor, Alice Edwards.

Plus, Bright Young Gems is supported by the National Association of Jewellers, which means your efforts will be recognised by the wider jewellery industry.

BYG alumni are…

  • Stocked in major UK department stores, like Harrods, Liberty and Fortnum & Mason
  • Sold on Matchesfashion.com and Net-a-Porter.com
  • Own-brand boutique owners
  • Winners of prestigious Couture Show Design Awards
  • Excelling with the British Fashion Council and its Rock Vault scheme

I’ve already graduated… how will IJL KickStart help my jewellery career?

If you’ve already established your own business but you’re ready to take the next step and reach out to potential stockists, KickStart is for you. This initiative has been introducing new design talents to the UK and international jewellery industries since 2009, with many gaining long-term retail partners along the way.

Read more: Meet 2016 KickStarter Emily Richardson

The scheme, which is supported by the National Association of Jewellers, also includes mentoring, workshops and access to International Jewellery London’s business-boosting content. If chosen, you will have access to a stand in the Design Gallery area of IJL, as well as the opportunity to meet the trade press who could be your biggest media champions.

Are you thinking of entering KickStart 2017?

If you’re determined to grow your business, meet potential customers and get valuable feedback from industry experts, you’re going to have to meet the following conditions:

  • Your products must be designed and made in the UK
  • You must be able to take and fulfil orders from retailers
  • Participants will be required to become a member of the NAJ – check out their website naj.co.uk to find out more
  • All precious jewellery should be legally hallmarked
  • If you’ve already exhibited independently at IJL, jump straight to our Design Gallery information below.
  • Your business must be less than five years old
  • Successful KickStarters will be required to pay £715 + VAT for the price of a stand at IJL

Read more: Meet 2016 KickStarter Marina Skia

Are there other ways to get started on the IJL Journey?

If you’re ready to launch your business, but don’t feel Bright Young Gems or KickStart is right for you, we have another great option – the IJL New Designers Area.

IJL is renowned for showcasing new design talent – and there’s no better place for retailers to discover innovative new collections than with a visit to the New Designer Area, located within the Design Gallery on the Gallery Level of the show. Stands are available to designers exhibiting for the very first time at IJL, but only if your business is less than five years old.

If you’ve got strong design principles, a fantastic product and the ability to fulfil retailer orders we want to hear from you!

Am I ready to exhibit in the Design Gallery?

If you’ve been a KickStarter or exhibited in the New Designers Area and want to take things up a notch, then you need the Design Gallery. This specialist sector of International Jewellery London is dedicated to high quality designers and established talent, which is why we operate a strict selection process for stands.

If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to exhibit alongside the liks of Daou Jewellery, Jana Reinhardt, V Jewellery, Phoebe Jewellery, Jenny Llewellyn and Kristjan Eyjolfsson, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

Share your IJL moments with us using the hashtag #IJLJourney

International Jewellery London is proud to support the jewellery industry. Find out how we’re #withyou here.

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