The deadline for online applications for the eleventh annual IJL KickStart mentorship competition has been extended to 1 June 2020.
Andy Ventris, IJL Show Director, explained: “Extending the deadline is to ensure that we are giving all designers who wish to be considered the opportunity to submit entries. We appreciate the extremely difficult situation that we are all experiencing with Covid-19 and as such want to support the industry where we can. We have already received some extremely promising entries and look forward to the exciting judging process in June.”
The KickStart programme is a very special launch pad for talented, ambitious jewellery designers and is open to all emerging UK based jewellery designers, who have been trading for more than 12 months. The winning ten designers benefit from extended industry mentoring, including support from the Goldsmiths’ Centre, branding and marketing advice, invaluable introductions, industry-wide publicity, the opportunity to showcase their collections on the KickStart stand at IJL 2020.
In addition, the chosen designers will receive a dedicated bursary from The Benevolent Society to assist with London accommodation and transport costs, in return for submitting a post-show report on how the scheme has enriched their careers. They will also be able to join The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), if not already a designer craft member, with the joining fee waived.
Applications are now open online at www.jewellerylondon.com and close on 1 June 2020. IJL 2020 takes place at Alexandra Palace, 13-15 September.