PRESS RELEASE: BAROQUE Celebrates Twenty Years of Design, Craftsmanship and Community as an Independent Jewellery Business in Brighton

BAROQUE's team of designer goldsmiths is celebrating two decades of hand crafting unique and bespoke, luxury jewellery from their on-site workshop and opulent boutique in the jewellery quarter of Brighton's famous Lanes. From humble beginnings as a small collective of four local jewellery designers setting up shop in 2006, the independent business has steadily grown into an award-winning staple of Brighton's vibrant, independent shopping scene, embraced by a loyal community of both local and international clients who adore BAROQUE's avant-garde designs.

Quietly maintaining its integrity, delivering exceptional customer service and committing to ethical and sustainable practices, BAROQUE has successfully weathered two global financial crises, the COVID pandemic, cost of living crisis and rising metal prices. Led by two of the original founders, Jason French and Pippa Reeve, the business now employs twelve staff and doubled its shop footprint in 2022, expanding into the retail space next door to open the BAROQUE Atelier at 9-10 Union Street.

As head goldsmith, Jason French is the visionary who pushes the boundaries of design from the workshop benches. Obsessed with quality artistry, Jason works intuitively alongside a team of six skilled goldsmiths, stone setters and engravers to meticulously craft each piece by hand and eye using the finest raw materials. Pippa Knowles runs the retail business, working closely with the front-of-house team and customers to realise their bespoke commissions, sourcing one-of-a-kind diamonds and extraordinary gemstones to bring their ideas to life.

Whether a bespoke jewellery design that tells a personal story or a flamboyant piece for one of their sought-after collections, BAROQUE has built a stellar reputation for combining traditional making techniques with a lavishly gothic and distinctly rock and roll edge. This signature brand style envelopes the boutique, with walls drenched in BAROQUE's rich, deep burgundy and wallpapered with snakes and dragons inspired by the magnificent Brighton Pavillion. Jewellery is showcased in a treasure trove of vintage cabinets and eye-catching window displays that change with the seasons and often feature the artistic work of talented local designers.

Pippa Reeve, Director of BAROQUE explains, "We didn't set out to create a strong brand when we started making jewellery together and feel incredibly proud that our independent business has remained true to our values 20 years on. It's important to us that we're a good business, sourcing the finest raw materials from the earth in an ethical way and looking after our customers and staff with as much care. It's a joy to turn these precious metals and stones into something uniquely beautiful. We spend a lot of time with our customers to create bespoke designs that will endure. Most of our wonderful team have been with us for a long time and bring a quirky mix of backgrounds and complementary skills to keep the way we work fresh and exciting – we love that our business feels like a family affair."

To mark this 20th anniversary, the team has created a stunning new collection of 20 exclusive fine jewellery designs which draw inspiration from the Bamboo plant – a universal symbol of strength, longevity and resilience. Featuring colourful gemstones and diamonds, nestled between lavish hand-engraved leaves and stalks, the collection of silver and gold rings, earrings, necklaces, cuffs and bracelets encapsulates the spirit and joy of BAROQUE.

"Twenty years in business is quite the milestone, so we wanted a symbolic reference for this new collection that went beyond the aesthetic. The lucky bamboo plant is a powerful living metaphor for navigating life's challenges without breaking. The gift of bamboo – delivering good luck, prosperity and positive energy to the recipient – also feels poetic," said Director, Jason French.

"We sourced some incredible emeralds for this new collection, synonymous with a 20th anniversary. The structure of different elements of the bamboo plant also sparked our imagination for the jewellery designs, finding unusual ways to set some of the exquisite emeralds, diamonds and gemstones. We are now all highly attuned to carving elaborate bamboo shapes and predict that the silver bamboo hooped earrings and articulated chain bracelets will become iconic best-sellers, along with our snake and dragon signet rings."
The new Bamboo collection is available to buy now from the boutique at 9-10 Union Street, Brighton, BN1 1HA and online at: www.baroquejewellery.com

About BAROQUE

BAROQUE is an independent, fine jewellery business in Brighton, with an on-site workshop and boutique at 9-10 Union Street. Established in 2006, BAROQUE is renowned for going against the grain with unique designs crafted from exceptional raw materials. Recently awarded 'Best Boutique Retailer' in the prestigious UK Jewellery Awards, the business stocks a dazzling collection of avant-garde rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets and bangles and specializes in creating custom engagement rings, wedding bands, and remodelling family heirlooms with their popular bespoke service. BAROQUE is proud to operate as ethically and sustainably as it can to ensure the very best outcome for people and planet, using recycled gold as standard, Fairtrade Certified Gold and conflict-free gemstones. BAROQUE also supports other independent UK designers, curating a rotating selection of ready-to-wear pieces that are available to buy from their boutique and online at www.baroquejewellery.com.