The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 2: Winter 2016/17 | Page 20

CREATIVE THINKING

AWARD WINNING DESIGNER
CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Nicholas Wylde will be celebrating 30 years in business in 2017,
after starting in Bath in 1987 as a young man.
Now the award-winning designer jeweller has
branches in both Bath and Bristol and is one
of the few jewellers in the world with their
own registered and patented diamond cut –
the exquisite Wylde Flower Diamond®
Over all those years, Nicholas has seen
many changes, with fashions going in
and out. But some things never change:
“Diamonds have always been a girl’s best
friend”, Nicholas comments, “especially our
Wylde Flower Diamond®. It has more cut
facets than any other brilliant cut diamond
for a special sparkle you won’t find anywhere
else in the world. It combines the beauty
of both diamonds and flowers and how
romantic is that?”
Nicholas’ true passion is colour and high
quality gemstones, cut in such a way to allow
him to design unique and highly distinctive
items of jewellery – keeping to his style of
mixing classic lines with striking designs.
This style is known worldwide as ‘the Wylde
Effect’.
This is well represented in Nicholas’ brand
new collection for 2016 ‘Carousel’ which
uses vibrantly coloured sapphires in circular
designs to wonderful effect. Colourful

sapphires were on display in both of Nicholas’
stores throughout November as he hosted
special free events, with gems on display and
talks about their history and folklore.
In 2016, Nicholas teamed-up with iconic
fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes to
design together a stunning one-off pendant,
crafted in silver, 9ct rose gold, pink sapphires
and diamonds, with a value of £2,000. The
collectors’ item – engraved with Zandra’s
signature – was first shown at Bath in Fashion
2016 and was raffled off and all proceeds
from ticket sales went to support three
charities: People Against Poverty; RUH Cancer
Care and Breast Cancer Now. Nicholas, who
is always looking for fresh challenges and
innovations, said: “This was an amazing
opportunity to work with an incredible,
vibrant designer in fashion and it proved to
be one of the highlights of our Grand Finale
Designer Fashion show for Bath in Fashion
2016.”
The biggest change apparent over the
time Nicholas Wylde has been in business
is the rapid emergence of e-commerce.
The internet has significantly changed how
businesses operate. These days, e-commerce

has become as common place as watching
television. Nicholas is committed to the
evolution of his online business and aims
to deliver his reputable service to customers
whether online or by visiting one of
the stores.
In 2015, Nicholas’ website received a
complete redesign and overhaul and was
relaunched towards the end of the year in its
present, cutting-edge form across all devices,
offering his same quality service 24/7.
This drive to maintain high standards and
explore new creative areas will be further
demonstrated in 2017, when Nicholas
celebrates his 30th Anniversary with exciting
and dynamic new projects and events.

It proved to be one of
the highlights of our
Grand Finale Designe r
Fashion show for Bath
in Fashion 2016.

Nicholas Wylde with Dame Zandra Rhodes
@NicholasWylde
For more info:
www.nicholaswylde.com

Jazzbones Creative rebrands Wiltshire Rural Housing
Association as White Horse Housing
Wiltshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) is a local
charity that has managed village homes in Wiltshire for
over 30 years and is committed to providing affordable
homes to people on low incomes. Jazzbones Creative is
Swindon’s leading design agency with a long track record
of working with charities to deliver effective branding,
marketing and fundraising campaigns. Its clients range
from local charities like WRHA, Wiltshire Air Ambulance
and SEQOL, to national bodies like Bible Society, National
Trust and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
WRHA approached agencies about rebranding after
acquiring a property portfolio in Somerset. “Initially,
some of the WRHA board members thought we’d come
in with wacky ideas because we’re a design agency with
a funky name,” said Jazzbones founder and creative
director, Nathan Sandhu, “but we won them over with a
combination of practical advice and creative concepts that
showed a real understanding of their organisation and
sector. It’s never about design for design’s sake!”
Steve Warran, WRHA’s CEO, added: “We interviewed
several agencies but selected Jazzbones because we liked
them as people and valued their professional but inclusive
approach. They wanted us as part of their team, keeping us
involved throughout – a promise they kept.”
Working closely with key stakeholders at WRHA,
Jazzbones developed three creative routes based on
WRHA’s rural and sustainable credentials, and also its
inclusive working practices.
“All the ideas would have worked well, but one stood

20

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016

out as a clear winner,” said Steve. “From October 1 we
officially became White Horse Housing, a name that alludes
to our roots in rural Wiltshire, but is applicable throughout
the South West. I felt it might be Mission Impossible, but
with Jazzbones’ inclusive approach we have a new brand
that everybody is very excited about.”
“We’ve kept the rural feel, even though WRHA’s
geographic spread has now changed,” added Nathan.
“The White Horse is synonymous with Wiltshire but also
the South West. We’ve designed it to reflect the iconic
white horses of the area without being too specific. Framed
by green pastures that evoke fields or a brickwork pattern,
it’s a flexible visual asset for the White Horse Housing brand
moving forward.”
“Sometimes charities hire us for a one-off project, like a
quick-fire fundraising campaign in response to a particular
event,” he concludes, “but the WRHA brief involved a host
of disciplines: brand strategy, naming and logo design,
brand identity and photography. It’s the kind of wider brief
we relish at Jazzbones. Especially when it’s for a good
cause!”
Jazzbones Creative is a design and branding agency
that works across all platforms, from print to online.
Based in Swindon, but working with clients throughout
the South West and London, they are renowned for their
collaborative approach to design and for making sure the
client is an integral part of every project.
For more info:
www.jazzbones.co.uk

01793 847300