This year’s successful six will receive expert mentoring, business advice, access to buyers, a dedicated bursary and industry-wide publicity
Emerging UK up-and-coming jewellery designers with their sights set on success are invited to battle it out for one of just six places in this year’s KickStart initiative – organised by International Jewellery London (IJL), the must-attend annual destination for the jewellery industry, taking place at Olympia London from September 2-4, 2018.
This long-running mentoring, advice and exhibition platform is a key link in the IJL Journey – a unique industry path that guides design talent from final year student to successful consumer-facing brands.
In a change for 2018, KickStart will accept just six applicants from UK-based designers. The chosen designers will have access to the many career-boosting benefits, including a mentoring package, workshop days, ongoing pricing, branding and marketing support, introductions to key industry figures – and the opportunity to win a free stand at IJL 2019 in the special ‘Industry’s Choice’ award.
In addition, to provide extra support, each UK-based winner will receive a bursary funded directly by the Benevolent Society, to assist with London transport and accommodation costs.
All of which will help ensure that each KickStarter has the opportunity to excel on their IJL Journey and maximise their experience at the show, where they will have access to IJL’s 9,000-strong jewellery audience of key buyers, leading influencers, international brands and consultants.
IJL Event Manager, Sarah Kitley-Spencer, comments: “If you’ve worked hard to establish your brand, now’s the time to start your IJL Journey. KickStart nurtures ambition, determination and talent, giving up-and-coming designers the chance to get their collections seen. Now in its ninth year, KickStart is entirely unique, with an unrivalled package of support, as well as the opportunity exhibit at IJL 2018. We balance practical advice with design inspiration, so that you can become a better jewellery entrepreneur in today’s digital world.”
NAJ Jewellery Industry Promotions Ambassador, Lindsey Straughton, says: “Those chosen for KickStart are immediately highlighted as the ‘stars of tomorrow’, which creates an important media and brand awareness opportunity. Retailers will look to you as trend-setters and future collaborators, so you can’t afford to miss out!”
Previous 2017 KickStart winner, Farrah Al-Dujaili from Oddical, adds: “KickStart gave me the perfect platform to launch new additions to my collection and get in touch with stockists that I wanted to work with; it gave me more confidence sending those initial emails. It helped me secure multiple stockists and created great PR for Oddical.”
The IJL Journey begins with the final year student and graduate-focused Bright Young Gems initiative. Alumni of this scheme and emerging designer brands can then apply for KickStart: a programme dedicated to new brands looking to make waves in the trade.
Following these schemes, more established designer brands can apply to become an IJL Design Gallery Exhibitor – a sign that their fledgling business has achieved industry success and consumer recognition.
KickStart, created by jewellery industry hub IJL and trade body the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), has over the past nine years, helped more than 80 contemporary designers launch their careers and get an all-important foot in the door. KickStart alumni have gone on to have impressive careers in the jewellery sector.
How to Apply: Visit jewellerylondon.com/kickstart to apply online. Only those who have been trading for more than 12 months will be considered. The deadline is April 10, 2018.
For more information about IJL 2018 please contact: Jennifer Hall-Thompson or Suzanna Hammond: +44 (0) 7770 802442 / suzanna@hammondpr.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Experience is Everything
International Jewellery London is the UK’s leading jewellery industry event, combining exceptional buying opportunities with networking, education, entertainment and inspiration. Under the motto, ‘Experience is Everything’, IJL offers a year-round platform for jewellery business support and 550+ exhibitors under one roof during its three-day flagship event every September.
IJL is proud to facilitate connections between buyers, e-tailers, independent retailers, multiples, department stores, airlines and broadcasters from 64 countries.
IJL 2018 will run from September 2-4 at Olympia, London. Jewellerylondon.com
What is IJL 365?
International Jewellery London is leading a new generation of trade events with a dedicated, 365-day content strategy and industry participation. This proactive approach is detailed in the IJL #withyou social media campaign.
About International Jewellery London
International Jewellery London is the UK’S leading trade event for the international jewellery industry. The event showcases the latest product ranges from over 520 high-end, finished jewellery manufacturers, designers, loose gemstones, and retail services suppliers. IJL attracts an unparalleled range of jewellery-focussed and pre-qualified buyers from 71 countries in an exclusive trading environment to do business, share knowledge and network in the heart of London, the UK’s style capital. Inspiring the industry for over 60 years, IJL showcases future industry trends, provides 100% free education and attracts an unrivalled selection of consumer and trade press.
IJL is sponsored by the NAJ and supported by the GIA, Gem-A, The Houlden Group, The Company of Master Jewellers, The Responsible Jewellery Council, The Goldsmiths Company and CIBJO. For further information, please visit www.jewellerylondon.com
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 500 events in 30 countries. In 2016, Reed brought together over seven million event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 40 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.
Jewellery and Fashion Accessories events are: Jewelers International Showcase (JIS) in January and April; Girls Jeweller Tokyo (IJT); Bijorhca Paris; JCK Tuscon; Tokyo Fashion Jewellery Expo (April); Garderobe; International Jewellery & Watch Show (JWS); International Jewellery Kobe (IJK); Luxury and JCK Las Vegas. For further information, please visit: www.reedexpo.com