9th edition of Jacobs the Jewellers’ Emerging Designer Competition launches this Summer

Blake Roberts

In this year’s 75th anniversary year, award winning Jacobs the Jewellers, Reading’s oldest independent jewellery retailer, today revealed the return of its annual Emerging Designer competition featuring nine emerging designers from Bishopsland Educational Trust.  

Helping boost fledgling careers, the event combines a virtual show with instore experience reflecting the local and national audience for amazing craft skills and design. As is customary, each competitor creates both a piece from a jewellery and an object category.

Angela Cork, Principal Bishopsland Educational Trust commented,  

“We are thrilled to be showcasing the next generation of Bishopsland's silversmiths and jewellers work at Jacobs the Jewellers. This is the 9th year in which we have collaborated on this initiative, and it is an important part of our annual programme, and we remain thankful to Adam Jacobs, HS Walsh, and The Goldsmith’s Centre for their ongoing support for our makers and for our craft”.

Ayat Dhahi

Competitors’ entries and voting are visible at:

jacobsthejewellers.com/jewellery/bishopsland-designers

and instore at Jacobs’ shop, 25, King Street in Reading.

Voting takes place between Thursday 20th July and Wednesday August 2, with the Mayor of Reading scheduled to visit on 25 July to view the competition, meeting some of the makers.

The results will be announced in the afternoon of Thursday August 3rd, with the winner of each category winning £250, runners up £100 each, to spend on tools at HS Walsh, one of the UKs leading jewellery tool suppliers, hopefully providing a helpful kick start to long lasting careers in the industry.

Adam Jacobs, Partner, Jacobs the Jewellers said, 

“To think 9 years ago we started working with Bishopsland; the time has flown by and my compliments to both the gang and their tutors! Seeing this year’s high standard work is both inspiring and gratifying– we look forward to seeing how the public vote and sharing with everyone. As ever, thanks to our co-presenting partners – they’ve amazing supporters.”

The annual competition has been made possible with Bishopsland Educational Trust through the initiative, collaboration and support of Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh. All parties support this competition, committing to craft and the artists of Bishopsland Educational Trust not to mention Reading as a creative centre in the South East.

Caitlin Murphy

Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training, The Goldsmiths’ Centre added, 

“It’s brilliant to see a new generation showcase and sell their work in front of real customers! Through collaboration between Jacob the Jewellers and Bishopsland Educational Trust, the Emerging Designer competition gives emerging makers a unique platform to grow their businesses and we’re proud to be supporting this project for its 9 year. "

Leo Hadgi-Petrou, H S WALSH said,

“I am honoured to be a part of this fantastic event organised by Adam Jacobs now celebrating their 9th edition of Jacobs the Jewellers’ Emerging Designer Competition. Previous years work submitted has been of a very high standard and I expect this years to be no exception. I am honoured to be attending on the 3rd August on behalf of Patrick Sheehan (CEO of H S Walsh & Sons) alongside Jacobs the Jewellers, Bishopsland Educational Trust & The Goldsmiths’ Centre.”