PRESS RELEASE
TH
THURSDAY 4 AUGUST 2016
THE BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW ROCK VAULT LINE-UP
Images are available for download via we.tl/d2VVDsZAM3
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is pleased to announce the six Rock Vault jewellers who will display their
latest collections during London Fashion Week September 2016. The jewellers will showcase their work in an
installation in the Designer Showrooms at Brewer Street Car Park.
For 2016/17 new recipients Daou Jewellery and Frances Wadsworth Jones join existing Rock Vault designers
COMPLETEDWORKS, Lily Kamper, Rachel Boston and Shimell and Madden. This year Ana de Costa, Beth
Gilmour, Jacqueline Cullen, Ornella Iannuzzi, RUIFIER and Yunus and Eliza all graduate from the initiative.
Previous Rock Vault recipients include: Alice Cicolini, Fernado Jorge, Hannah Martin, Imogen Belfield, Jo
Hayes Ward, Jordan Askill, and Tomasz Donocik.
Curated by Stephen Webster MBE, this unique showcasing initiative was established by the British Fashion
Council to nurture the creative fine jewellery talent based in the UK. It gives these designers the opportunity to
further develop their businesses, as well as increasing their exposure to both UK and international media and
retailers. For the past four years Stephen has taken the Rock Vault designers with him to showcase at the
prestigious COUTURE Las Vegas show. Rock Vault designers have had great success at the show’s coveted
Design Awards, and this year Imogen Belfield and Tomasz Donocik were both winners.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council commented: “The continued success of past and
present Rock Vault designers both at home and abroad speaks to the achievement of this initiative. Under
Stephen’s guidance the Rock Vault initiative really nurtures the undeniable talent of each season’s recipients.
I’m confident that those designers graduating this September will continue to impress us, and I’m eager to
shine a spotlight on the talents of our new and returning designers over London Fashion Week.”
Stephen Webster MBE commented: “2015 saw the last of the founding designers of Rock Vault graduate. The
five new designers gave press and buyers plenty to write about and to buy at this year’s COUTURE show in Las
Vegas and the show concluded with two of last year’s graduate designers winning awards at the highly
prestigious and competitive COUTURE awards. This year with just two places to fill from a total of 25
applicants, the panel spent the whole day inspecting and discussing each designer’s presentation but the final
decision was unanimous. The work of both Dalia Daou and Frances Wadsworth Jones is original, inspired and
full of potential for great things ahead, contributing to the diversity and excitement now synonymous with Rock
Vault.”
The Rock Vault selection panel is chaired by Stephen Webster MBE and comprises: Anna Orsini, British Fashion
Council; Carol Woolton, British Vogue; Caroline Broadhead, Central Saint Martins; Charlotte Whitehead,
British Fashion Council; Hannah Almassi, Who What Wear; Jo Newton, Fortnum and Mason; Jos Skeates, EC
One; Julie-Anne Dorff, Harper’s Bazaar; Laura Muscat, Rainbowwave; Maia Adams, Adorn Insight; Maria
Doulton, The Jewellery Editor; Matthew Waters, M Agency; Mia Fenwick, Fenwick; Michelle de Conto, British
Fashion Council; Natalie Kingham, Matches; Ruby Chadwick, Liberty; Shaun Leane, Shaun Leane and Simon
Longland, Harrods.