Goldsmiths’ Jewellery Fair 2019
After the stunning jewellers exhibited in the first week of the 2019 Goldsmiths’ Jewellery Fair, the second week had a lot to live up to – but it did not disappoint. Below are some of our favourites from the show.
Shimell & Madden (Stall 6)
Shimell & Madden are a design duo based in London. Both mathematics enthusiasts, Madden tells Pynck their jewellery is designed with geometry in mind. Each piece has a specific geometrical dimension as a setting for the high-quality gemstones they use. Not content merely with this scientific background, this design partnership is also fascinated by the geological properties of the stones they employ, and believes an awareness of origin ensures the finished pieces are a genuine labour of love from beginning to end. This makes Shimell & Madden’s jewellery modernist and functional, but still delicate and eye-catching, thanks to their multi-coloured gemstones – particularly in their rings.
Find out more at www.shimellandmadden.com
Kata (Stall 59)
This jewellery brand was created by Anton J. Kata, and his partner Jennifer tells Pynck the collection showcased at the Fair was largely influenced by Arabic designs and customs. This is evident in the brightly coloured beaded necklaces on display, which are reminiscent of traditional prayer beads. Of particular interest is a magnificent ring, featuring a large green gemstone, the colour of which is cleverly offset by sparkling white diamonds. The brand has been going for 25 years, and Kata tells Pynck one of the many advantages of showcasing at the Fair is the opportunity to see how other designers are developing new styles to reflect the changing times.
Find out more at www.katajewellery.com
Callum Partridge (Stall 44)
This young designer uses technology and innovative design to create some of the most fascinating pieces featured at this year’s Fair. Partridge uses stainless steel for many of his designs to showcase its versatility, and points out that its qualities lie not only in functionality. The use of this material also means his necklaces are extremely minimalist and lightweight. His sculptures and other art works are equally interesting in that they are based on life drawings. Featured below are some that represent the human torso, composed of many different materials. Partridge tells Pynck he has been designing jewellery since the age of 12, but that he has progressed a long way since those early days.
Find out more at https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/exhibitors/callum-partridge/
Fred Rich enamel design (Stall 31)
One of the most stunning pieces on show at the Fair this week was the Venus Vase, made by Fred Rich. Usually his enamelled silverware is made exclusively on commission, but this piece is a rare example of purely personal work for Rich. Depicting his interpretation of the Birth of Venus, it is extremely eye-catching in its vibrancy and playful modernist imagining of the classical myth. It is also interesting in its representation of the barrier between silverware and art; it is up to the beholder as to which category this vase falls under.
Find out more at www.fredrichenameldesign.com
McCaul Goldsmiths (Stall 55)
This jewelling partnership make use of a Master’s degree in ring design to create incredibly detailed and bespoke designs. The current collection exhibited at the Fair was inspired by leaves and vines: clearly visible in both the rings, which have the effect of wrapping themselves around the finger like a creeping plant, as well as lovely drop-effect earrings. Interestingly, the earrings and rings featured below were designed ten years apart, and yet the inspiration remains omnipresent.
Find out more at www.mccaul.com
Jessica Jue (Stall 67)
This designer’s collection has an obvious organic theme throughout. Inspired by the natural process of flower blooming and tulip bulbs, her earrings and rings represent flowers in the early stages of life. Especially innovative are her tulip goblets, of which each are entirely unique, and represent the different stages of flowering bulbs – with the added bonus of being functioning drinking vessels.
Find out more at www.jessicajue.com
