LGN Events: BFC Rock Vault

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announces the brand new 
jewellery initiative ‘BFC Rock Vault’ to support, showcase and promote 
Britain’s most innovative, fine jewellery talent. Sponsored by the 
International Palladium Board (IPB) and curated by Stephen Webster, ‘BFC
 Rock Vault’ will launch during London Fashion Week, February 17th – 
21st, at Somerset House.

The ten successful jewellers who have been selected to showcase their AW12 collections within the Rock Vault are Alexandra Jefford, Fernando Jorge, Hannah Martin, Hillier, Husam El Odeh, Jo Hayes Ward, Jordan Askill, Melanie Georgacopoulos, Sophie Bille Brahe and Tomasz Donocik. The designers will feature alongside five concepts created in Palladium by Central Saint Martins students.

Housed in a structure located on the Terrace of Somerset House, 
overlooking the Thames, the designers will be awarded support towards 
creating their own unique installation within this dedicated area and 
will receive business mentoring support. An event to launch this 
initiative will be held on Saturday, 18th February at the designated BFC
 Rock Vault space at Somerset House.



This unique showcasing initiative has been developed by the BFC to 
nurture the creative fine jewellery talent based in London and give 
these designers the opportunity to further develop their businesses and 
exposure amongst both UK and International media and retailers.



The participants are invited by a panel led by Stephen Webster 
comprising Anna Orsini, British Fashion Council; Brad Mills, Chairman of
 IPB; Caroline Broadhead, Central Saint Martins’ Programme Director; 
Catherine Nieto, Grazia Fashion and Accessories Editor; Francoise 
Tessier, Browns Fine Jewellery Buyer; Jos Skeates, EC One; Katie Bain, 
British Fashion Council; Lara Bohinc, Designer and Cartier Consultant; 
Liane Wiggins, Matches Head Buyer; Maria Lemos, Rainbowwave; Olivia 
Richardson, Liberty Head of Buying; Sarah Mower, MBE BFC Ambassador for 
Emerging Talent and contributing editor for US Vogue.com; Valery Demure,
 marketing and sales, jewellery and accessories agent.



Stephen Webster, comments, “As a London jewellery designer and a 
craftsman, it gives me great pleasure to be curating Rock Vault, an area
 dedicated for the first time to the rising stars of the UK jewellery 
industry under the umbrella of the BFC. Together with a panel of 
experts, we have selected what we believe to be the best representation 
of young talent. Over the last 10 years, jewellery has become an 
integral part of both men and woman's wardrobe. This meteoric rise has 
meant jewellery designers have been crying out for inclusion within the 
established fashion platforms. Rock Vault finally offers such an 
opportunity. We are all very excited to realise this vision.”



Brad Mills, Chairman of IPB, comments, “We are proud to support 
London Fashion Week. This partnership opens a series of projects 
entitled Palladium Visions, which we will undertake in 2012 with some of
 the world’s most visionary designers, artists and jewellers to promote 
Palladium as the must-have, contemporary precious metal of the future.”



The International Palladium Board (IPB) is dedicated to establishing 
Palladium as the contemporary precious metal of the future. Palladium is
 a beautiful lustrous white metal, desired by jewellery designers and 
owners for its unique features – rarity, lightness and strength. In 2009
 Palladium became the most recent precious metal to be hallmarked.



For more information please visit www.britishfashioncouncil.com/rockvault