..the capital’s first ever city-wide celebration of jewellery design
From 11th to 18th June 2008 London’s jewellery industry will unite for the first time to celebrate the excellence of creative design in the capital. From Bond Street to Green Street, Hatton Garden to Knightsbridge, the event will offer a journey of discovery, from emerging talent to behind the scenes glimpses of some of the world’s finest designers; incorporating catwalk shows, exhibitions, seminars and open houses.
Created for the industry by the industry, Coutts London Jewellery Week is the first event that will showcase the city’s status as the home of world-class jewellery design to UK and international consumers. It will bring together leading names and cutting-edge talent in a week celebrating the passion, style and inspiration behind London’s jewellery. It will reflect London’s position as a trailblazing destination in global jewellery and, ultimately, convey the allure and diversity of London jewellery, creating a legacy for our talent.
Coutts London Jewellery Week has been established in light of significant demand from both consumers and the jewellery industry itself. Based on work commissioned by the City Fringe Partnership, consultation with the industry and consumers has established definitively that London has both the desire and talent for the event.
The event has already attracted a number of high profile patrons who have offered their support, including Laurence Graff, Nicholas and Michael Wainwright of Boodles, Theo Fennell Sir Terence Conran, Philip Treacey, Mary Reilly, Chair of the London Development Agency, Shaun Leane and Stephen Webster. Visit London and Visit Britain have also offered their full commitment.
Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive of Coutts & Co, commented: “Coutts is absolutely thrilled to be the principal sponsor of the first ever London Jewellery Week. The connection between Coutts and jewellery is steeped through our 300 year history, and begins with the foundation of the bank in 1692 by Scottish goldsmith-banker, John Campbell, who not only supplied plate and jewellery but also a full banking service to clients. Years later, and the French revolution saw numerous émigrés fleeing the country to England, many opened accounts with Coutts and requested that the Bank sell their jewels in order to acquire the much needed cash. And let’s not forget the number of local jewellers that have held their accounts with Coutts, the earliest of which dates back to 1712.
“Today, we are the co sponsors of The Royal Ballet’s production of ‘Jewels’ which shows this November. And last three years have seen us supporting some of the best of British fashion designers. This includes the redesign of our Account Card by Stella McCartney and World Card by Oswald Boateng, the hosting of an Alice Temperley fashion show for clients and most recently, we announced our sponsorship of Matthew Williamson’s ‘Ten years in Fashion’ exhibition at the Design Museum.”
Hilary Potter, Director of the City Fringe Partnership, the organisers behind the event said, “Coutts London Jewellery Week is all about getting people excited about the jewellery that is designed and produced on their doorstep, right here in London. The City Fringe Partnership is delighted with the support received from across the industry and is proud to be able to offer a showcase for the diverse array of talent in London jewellery.”
The Mayor, Ken Livingstone, is a wholehearted supporter of the event; "London has a long and established tradition of jewellery design as well as being a creative hotbed for new talent. Coutts London Jewellery Week is a great opportunity for Londoners and visitors alike to discover the wealth of creativity that exists in the capital. London is the world's most international city, with 300 languages spoken everyday. Its cultural offer is rich and diverse with many world class museums, galleries and theatres. Coutts London Jewellery Week will provide a welcomed addition, showcasing the diversity and quality of London’s designers."
For further press information / photography / interviews please contact:
Charlotte Hastings at The Communication Group plc on +44 (0) 20 7630 1411, or e-mail: chastings@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk
or
For further media information on Coutts contact:
Jo Thorne, PR Manager, Coutts & Co on 0207 957 2650 or mobile 0776 6070 859 or e-mail joanna.thorne@coutts.com
Notes to editors:
The City Fringe Partnership (CFP) is committed to increasing economic and social inclusion in the area to the north and east of the “Square Mile” via its City Growth approach. Through its public-private sector Board, the CFP uses a sector-based approach to encouraging enterprise growth in sectors key to the City fringe economy. By establishing new, or supporting existing, industry forums the CFP identifies market needs within individual sectors.
Following consultation with the jewellery industry, in partnership with the London Borough of Camden and The Goldsmiths’ Company, the CFP has secured £3 million in funding from the London Development Agency (the Mayor’s agency for sustainable economic development) to invest in the Jewellery Sector Investment Plan (JSIP). The JSIP is designed to meet the challenges that the jewellery industry currently faces: to remain competitive and grow demand for products.
Through the JSIP the CFP commissioned a feasibility study into industry calls for a flagship consumer-facing jewellery event and, after positive results, is proud to have signed Coutts as the title sponsor for the inaugural London Jewellery Week.
Alongside LB Camden, the CFP has also helped to set up a cross-industry group, London Jewellery First, that provides an independent view of the JSIP and helps to unite the industry around future developments. More information on the JSIP and London Jewellery First can be found at www.change-act-share.org.uk. For further information please visit the CFP website: www.cityfringe.org.uk.
Coutts
·Coutts is the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is one of the world's largest banking groups.
·Coutts manages the wealth of 100,000 high net worth clients worldwide through a network of over 40 offices globally.
·The first Coutts regional office to be opened was Eton in 1961. Today, Coutts has regional offices in Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Eton, Guildford, Hampshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford and Tunbridge Wells.
·Coutts offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services.
·Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Coutts & Co Registered in England No 36695 Registered Office 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS.
·Calls may be recorded.