4 September 2013

Dundee jewellers take their place in hot 100

The rise of Dundee's jewellery stars has been marked with the appearance of two of the city's designers in Professional Jeweller's prestigious 'Hot 100' list for 2013.

Jane Gowans, who has her own acclaimed brand, and Kate Pickering, founder of city collective Vanilla Ink, are both in this year's list alongside the cream of the industry. There was a further boost for the city with another local graduate, Filipa Oliveira, winning a major prize at International Jewellery London, the industry's showcase event taking place this week.

'I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the Hot 100, it is such an honour to share the pages with people in my profession that I admire,' said Kate Pickering. 'With Vanilla Ink having only been going for a year, it's amazing to be recognised in such a prestigious way as Professional Jeweller's Hot 100!'

Jane Gowans said, 'I am thrilled to have been named as one of this year's Hot 100. Being honoured as one of the top individuals in the industry will give my brand a huge boost and raise its profile within the jewellery sector to new heights."

The fourth Professional Jeweller Hot 100 list was revealed at a spectacular industry event at One Marylebone in London last night, toasting leading lights in the UK jewellery industry.

More than 600 invite-only guests celebrated the event, held in association with principle partner The Company of Master Jewellers, Diamond Partner IJL and Gold Partner Tresor Paris and Bering Time.

The Hot 100 2013 was revealed to an electrified crowd by Professional Jeweller editor Kathryn Bishop, toasting the event in the illuminated main hall of One Marylebone.

There was further good news for Dundee yesterday at the huge International Jewellery London showcase when Filipa Oliveira won the Editor's Choice Prize.

Filipa, like Kate and Jane, is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), part of the University of Dundee.

Professor Mike Press, from DJCAD, said, 'These two events are the Oscars and BAFTAs of jewellery, and it is a stunning achievement that Dundee jewellers are now recognised as amongst the finest in the world.'

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University of Dundee
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