Jacobs the Jewellers’ Emerging Designer Competition: Announcing Winner of 2023’s 9th Edition

09 Aug 2023

Image: The Mayor of Reading with the competition winners

Jacobs the Jewellers, Reading’s oldest independent jewellery retailer, announced the winner of their Emerging Designer’s competition today. The results were as follows:

Jewellery Winner

AYAT DHAHI

Coloured Orb Brooch

Jewellery runner-up

CAITLIN MURPHY

Spiral Brooch

Silver Winner

REVAN ABDULSABOUR

Iqraa Bookmark

Silver runner-up

HANNEKE MERCKX

Sculptural Vessel

Bishopsland designers took part in the competition presented in-store and via Jacobs the Jewellers website during late July and early August. Each participant showcased an item of silver as well as a piece of jewellery. Over the voting period, visitors to Jacobs’ website or shop voted for their favourite jewellery design as well as their preferred silver object. The Mayor of Reading also visited mid-way through the competition, chatting with representatives of Bishopsland and casting his vote. Over 1200 votes were cast this year, both in person and online.

The established competition offers great benefits to the participating designers. As an endpoint towards their stay at Bishopsland, the competition entrants work for many months creating their works. It gives them an opportunity to make their designs to deadlines, displaying them in a public-facing environment in preparation for their move into hopefully enjoyable and rewarding careers within the industry.

The winners each received £250 of HS Walsh vouchers, the runners up £150 vouchers each, to spend on tools or materials to help establish their careers in the jewellery and silver industry, plus a framed presentation certificate. Chris Oliver from the Goldsmiths Centre and HS Walsh’s Leo Hadgi-Petrou joined Adam Jacobs and Bishopsland Principal Angela Cork in Jacobs’ Reading shop to present the awards.

The annual competition has been made possible for the Bishopsland Educational Trust through the initiative, co-operation and support of Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh.

Adam Jacobs, Partner, Jacobs the Jewellers,

“Each year, the competition goes from strength to strength. Our clients love seeing the amazing work on display and genuinely marvel at the skill in the craft. Thanks to all the gang for their hard work, and we wish all the year group ‘good luck’ as they set off in their jewellery and silver careers.”

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

“Congratulations to Bishopsland Educational Trust and this year’s line-up of talented competitors from the Goldsmiths’ Centre team! With your support and votes, Jacobs the Jeweller’s Emerging Designer competition helps to celebrate the future of silversmithing – the talent and potential of the next generation of makers.”

Angela Cork, Principal, Bishopsland Educational Trust,

“Yet again, in the 9th year of the competition, we continue to be amazed at the number of online and in-person votes and remain extremely grateful for everyone's support. We also thank Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh for providing this unique and important opportunity for our Designer - Makers to experience marketing their work to a retail audience and for inspiring them to produce their best contemporary work. Once again, a triumph of diverse organisations coming together to support creativity and talent in the Jewellery and Silversmithing industry.”

Leo Hadgi-Petrou, Manager at HS Walsh, said,

“2023’s edition had a very high standard of work, and all the HS Walsh team were really challenged in selecting their favourites. Revan, Ayat, Hanneke and Caitlin are worthy winners with a high number of votes, though we congratulate all the talented Bishopsland gang."

View Jacobs the Jewellers

Source: Jacobs the Jewellers