Following the success of last years debut, Professional Jeweller is excited to have nominations open for the second annual Collections of the Year awards, showcasing the best ranges launched in 2015 across 10 exciting categories.
With the world’s major jewellery exhibitions behind us, it is time to reflect on all the new jewellery ranges launched this year, and reach conclusions on which pieces shined brightest in the British jewellery industry.
The categories are as follows:
Bridal Jewellery
Bridal jewellery is the very foundation of our industry, with diamond engagement rings and bridal sets remaining a highly competitive category. Last year’s winner Domino was recognised for its Rosabella range of diamond-set jewellery, perfectly designed for brides to add extra sparkle to their big day. Stubbs & Co, Fei Liu, Andrew Geoghegan and Clogau were also selected to be praised in this category.
Wedding Jewellery
This category is designed to celebrate the most distinctive wedding ring designs launched in 2015, including gents’ bands, patterned rings and stone-set designs in a variety of precious metals. Brown & Newirth’s Pink Champagne range was crowned the winner of wedding jewellery in 2014, with the rise of rose gold proving a popular choice for consumers to take from the store to the aisle. Finalists included Gemex, Charles Green, Wedds & Co and Hockley Mint. What have consumers been looking for in their bands in 2015?
Fine Jewellery
The fine jewellery category sings the praises of those ranges crafted in precious metals, adorned with gemstones and offering original design. Fope was chosen as the winner of this category last year for the commercial success and consumer appeal of its Wild Rose collection which launched at Baselworld. Closely behind as finalists were Sarah Ho, London Road, Marco Bicego and Soley London.
Branded Silver Jewellery
This category is open to the UK’s leading commercial jewellery brands working in silver and offering seasonal high-volume collections. Pandora proved to hold the range most tempting consumers in 2014, with the brand being recognised for its Shimmering Leaves range of jewellery launched in AW14. Lily & Lotty, Thomas Sabo, Bouton and Links of London were last year’s branded silver finalists.
Designer Jewellery
In the era of big brands, this category is for independent jewellery designers holding their own successful silver ranges that offer a diverse array of design inspirations, attractive price points and on-trend seasonal product drops. Last year’s winner was Jana Reinhardt’s Bloom collection of sterling silver and gold plated designs, with Lucy Q, V Jewellery, Rachel Entwistle and Alexis Dove also making the top five.
Fashion Jewellery
Our Fashion Jewellery Collection of the Year category showcases the most exciting and consumer-friendly costume jewellery ranges launched in 2015. The chosen collections last year utilised a variety of materials, boasting glitz and fashion-led price points. Swarovski’s Stardust range that reimagined stackable bracelets was the winner of this category last year. Chrysalis, Guess Jewellery, Michael Kors and Fiorelli Costumer also had collections recognised.
Men’s Jewellery
Men’s jewellery is a growing sector of the UK market. As gents embrace the change to accessories in their own way and start making bolder jewellery choices, brands and designers have responded to this call with mix-metals and a wider offering in 2015. Last year Anchor & Crew’s Signature range won Men’s Jewellery Collection of the Year, with Fred Bennett, Deakin & Francis, Unique Jewels and Tateossian pronounced as finalists.
Pearl Jewellery
The Pearl Jewellery collection of the year category recognises the most commercially successful and appealing pearl ranges of 2015, embracing freshwater, akoya, tahitan and south sea pearls presented in precious metals. Yoko London was the winner last year with its rare and spectacular Vigento collection, praised alongside finalists Ornella Iannuzzi, Claudia Bradby, Jersey Pearl and Melanie Georgacopulos.
Charm and Bead Jewellery
The vogue for collectable charms, beads and coins remains just as strong in 2015 than ever before. Competition for this category was high last year. In the end Endless Jewelry’s Jennifer Lopez collection won, with Emozioni, Mi Moneda, Story by Kranz & Ziegler and X by Trollbeads also shining with their charm themes in 2014. Whose beads have caught your eye this year
Emerging Designer
This category is all about the emerging designer collections that have provided a little something different for a diverse range of customers. I Love a Lassie’s Hard-Wear range of textured lace jewels won last year closely followed by finalists Boudici, Phoebe Jewellery, Alexandra Alberta and Esoteric Luxury.
The nominations process is to all members of the industry, with retailers encouraged to highlight their bestselling collections of 2015 by nominating a range for each of the 10 categories. Similarly, brands and designer-makers will be able to nominate their own collections and those launched by their peers.
Please download this form to nominate: Collections of the Year form
Once filled in, the completed form can be emailed to Professional Jeweller’sassistant editor (stacey. hailes@itppromedia.com).
Happy nominating!