John Lewis Announce a First with the Launch of Bright Young Gems® Exclusive Collections

09 Nov 2022

John Lewis and Partners have announced the launch of a further new collaboration with Bright Young Gems®, the industry-recognised platform for new talent.

Two of the recent winning designers - Zeemou Zeng and Imogen Burch – debut their first demi fine collections created exclusively for the high street retailer instore this week at John Lewis Oxford Street, Newcastle, Welwyn, Leeds and Edinburgh, as well as online.

Zeemou Zeng, the award-winning fine jeweller, Young Jewellery Designer of the Year 2020 and Bright Young Gem®2018, is well known for his signature trademark – the use of movement to delight and surprise. His debut John Lewis Collection, The Smile, is a collection of five intricately crafted pieces in 9ct gold with natural freshwater pearls which freely move within the smile of each piece.  These are playful talismans representing happiness, freedom and joy and were inspired by the well-known quote ‘Smile and the world smiles with you.’  

Image: Zeemou Zeng Smile Dangle Earring

Zeemou said,

"Working with this great British retailer is such an exciting opportunity for me and I do hope these pieces, which have been a real delight to design, bring much joy to those who wear them, make happy memories and celebrate special moments.” 

Imogen Burch, a Bright Young Gem® in 2021, recently graduated from Central St Martins.  She describes her debut collection, Cocktail, as fine jewellery let loose.  An imaginative and playful twist on traditional fine jewellery; taking sober, conservative designs and turning them into more light-hearted versions of themselves. This collection is Imogen’s take on the diamond halo ring. These are looser, more playful designs aimed to disrupt tradition. Handcrafted from 9ct yellow gold and semi-precious gemstones, Emerald Cut Green Amethyst, Oval Cut Sky Blue Topaz and Pear Cut Rose Quartz , each of the pieces - necklaces, earrings and rings -  are sustainably made and designed to last a lifetime. 

 

Image: Imogen Burch 9K Yellow Gold Oval Cut Sky Blue Topaz Ring

Imogen commented,

“Working with John Lewis to launch my debut collection has been an amazing opportunity. Seeing my designs shown on a national platform is very surreal for me as a young designer. I am very thankful for being selected as a Bright Young Gem® in 2021 which led to the John Lewis team discovering my work.”

The John Lewis & Partners jewellery buying team met the Bright Young Gems® at the UK Jewellery Festival in September 2021. 

Elena Bergonzi, Jewellery Buyer for John Lewis & Partners, represented the high street retailer as Retail Associate on the Bright Young Gem® judging panel in 2022 - bringing a wealth of commercial acumen to the panel.  John Lewis, keen to nurture new talent and support young designers on their journey to becoming both successful and commercial, decided to take the relationship one step further and invited some of the Bright Young Gems® to create exclusive collections to retail in-store.

Elena Bergonzi explains,

“Being able to support up-and-coming designers and showcase their work has been a dream. We’ve curated a limited-edition collection of jewellery with timeless elegance and uncompromising quality, designed to appeal for years to come. The pieces are playful, imaginative and utterly stunning, and reveal just how talented Zeemou Zeng and Imogen Burch are - they are poised to shape the future of our industry”

View John Lewis’ Bright Young Gems Exclusive Collections

Find out more about Bright Young Gems

Source: Bright Young Gems