High St by Design winners revealed

Sian Hughes, a designer from Worcester, won the Newly Established Designer category with her Folded Heart collection (pictured), while the Student Designer award went to Letchworth’s Rosie Velk and her Fan collection.

The High Street by Design contest was launched last year to assist two designers through the whole process of jewellery production – from the original concept through to packaging, promotion and launch. The finished pieces will then be sold through F. Hinds’ website and 110 stores across England and Wales.

The judging panel included Andrew Hinds, F. Hinds’ director and gold buyer; Bob Morrish of R E Morrish; IJL co-director Sam Willoughby; and award-winning jewellery designer Sarah Jordan.

“The objective of this competition was to open up the route to the high street, which can appear to be strewn with challenges or even a complete mystery,” commented Andrew Hinds. “Our aspiration was to give the winners an in-depth experience of all the steps from sketch to the final sale.

“We have promoted the winning pieces in all our stores and online… and also have plans to see how we can work with Rosie and Sian in the future.”

The winning designs will be on display in the IJL Design Gallery.