Patrons

Laurence Graff

Founder of Graff and one of the most powerful figures in the business. Graff is amongst the top jewellery houses in the world and it is the only one of its kind: combining everything from buying diamonds from miners through to polishing, cutting and retailing them. It is not only his jewellery with a dazzling creation story, Graff’s own story dazzles. The archetypal self-made success, Graff left school at 13 to take up an apprenticeship in diamonds in Hatton Garden. Graff famously avoids industry events and so it’s a testament to our vision that he’s offered his patronage to London Jewellery Week.

Nicholas and Michael Wainwright, Boodles

Founded in 1798, Boodles is part of the institution and a name associated with cutting edge luxury jewellery design. Today it is run by brothers Nicholas and Michael Wainwright. Nicholas heads up the gemmology and creativity, while Michael looks after the commercial side. In 2004 Michael and Nicholas received joint lifetime achievement awards from the British jewellery industry.

Theo Fennell

Theo Fennell, born and bred in London, is firmly acknowledged as one of the world’s leading luxury jewellery designers. From his signature diamond Keys and Crosses to eye-watering cocktail rings and rainbow diamond charm bracelets, Theo’s collections and one-off pieces have become design classics the world over. Loyal patrons include a sizeable chunk of the world’s glitterati, from buttoned-up aristocrats to bling-decorated hip-hop artists.

Jonathan Kendall, De Beers

As Director of International and Trade Marketing at De Beers, Jonathan has his finger on the pulse of the industry. The De Beers’ family of companies has a presence in 25 countries and is responsible for around 40% of the world diamond production. They are the key players in London’s jewellery industry and their involvement and their reputation provide the event with a solid base of support

Sheila Teague and Gary Wright, Wright & Teague

Sheila Teague and Gary Wright are one of London's most enduring creative partnerships. Cult jewellery designers and taste formers, Gary Wright and Sheila Teague met and studied at Central Saint Martin’s, launching Wright & Teague in 1984. Their flagship store opened in Mayfair, just off Bond Street in 1998 and they have been regarded as some of the hottest jewellery designers with the fashion pack ever since.

Sir Terence Conran

Sir Terence Conran is one of the world’s best-known designers, restaurateurs and retailers. He founded Habitat, bringing good, modern design within the reach of the general population. He can also be credited with founding some of the world’s best restaurants: there are currently over 20 restaurants established in London, Paris and New York. The Conran Shop is another of his great successes and there are now eight stores located in London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Nagoya and Fukuoka selling a carefully chosen selection of contemporary, well-designed furniture and home furnishings, much of it exclusive.

Ben de Lisi

Although American born, Ben de Lisi has become such a strong player on the English fashion scene that it is easy to forget that he is not in fact English. Now based in SW1, he has built an enviable reputation for designing long elegant eveningwear and bridal dresses. Since 1995 Ben has been showing at London Fashion Week and has won the coveted British Glamour Designer of the Year award twice. He designs a diffusion line in conjunction with Debenhams called BDL by Ben de Lisi which has become one of the largest selling ranges under their Designers at Debenhams umbrella. He has also starred as mentor to the designers on Sky One’s Project Catwalk, a popular competitive reality show, focusing on fashion design.

Philip Treacy

Treacy is one of the world’s most celebrated milliners. Surreal and sculptural, his hand-made hats are feats of craftsmanship. Born in rural Ireland, Treacy designs haute couture and ready-to-wear hat collections from his London studio. He has also created hats for the couture collections of Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino and Alexander McQueen and has been awarded the title of British Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards on five occasions.

Jemma Kidd

Jemma Kidd, sister of Jodie Kidd, is a celebrity makeup artist, fashion model and a regular fixture on the society pages and party circuit. Married to the Earl of Mornington, Jemma Kidd is one of London’s foremost opinion formers representing high net worth individuals in their late twenties.

Stephen Webster

Stephen Webster’s development into a world renowned jewellery designer is more akin to a fairytale. From a modest start in Gravesend, near London, he has come to attract some of the entertainment world’s most alluring and glamorous clients, established a loyal global customer base and, in honour or his creativity, achieved several clean-sweeps in the jewellery trade’s glittering prize ceremonies. Four times UK’s ‘Luxury Jeweller of the Year’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, ‘Jewellery Designer of the Year’ in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2006.

Lulu Guinness

Renowned for her high fashion bags the world over; Lulu’s creations are carried by everyone from Keira Knightley to Scarlett Johansson. It was while working in the film industry in the 1980s that Lulu had the great idea for a women’s briefcase. It was this idea that provided the seed for a business that has now become a global brand and expanded into fabulous homeware, shoes, interiors, sunglasses, perfume and, as of July 2007, jewellery. She was awarded an OBE for her contribution to the creative field in June of 2006.

James Bidwell, Visit London

As Chief Executive of Visit London and, until 2004, Marketing Director of Selfridges, James has an excellent track record in both marketing and tourism, making him an ideal supporter of London Jewellery Week. Visit London is the official visitor organisation for the capital. Their aim is to promote London as the world’s most exciting city by marketing to domestic and overseas leisure and business visitors, as well as Londoners themselves.

Terri Eagle, CEO and President - Garrard

Garrard is the oldest jewellery house in the world, having been established in 1735. They are also purveyors of some of the finest jewellery in the world and have close ties with the British Royal family and the highest echelons of society the world over.

Mary Reilly, London Development Agency

As Chairman of the London Development Agency, Mary Reilly’s involvement is a fantastic coup. The LDA is the Mayor's agency responsible for ensuring that London remains a global success story. By giving us her support we are receiving endorsement from the highest echelons that we will play a role in making London a sustainable world city with strong, long-term economic growth.

Lord Paul

Lord Swaraj Paul is an Indian-born, British-based business magnate and philanthropist. He was knighted by the Queen in 1978 and in 1996 he became a life peer. Among his many board memberships, he is chair of the Olympic Delivery Committee with the key task of initiating measures to acquire land and provide infra-structure for the London Olympics 2012.

Sir Christopher Frayling, The Arts Council

Sir Christopher Frayling is Chairman of the Arts Council England, making him one of the most powerful figures in British art and culture. The Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England and, despite the specifics of its title, it takes many projects under its wing that one may no immediately equate with art e.g. it has been providing secondments and advocacy for London 2012 since its inception, considering it to be a cultural as well as a sporting event.

Shaun Leane

Jeweller to the stars, Shaun Leane started out as an apprentice in Hatton Garden. Subsequently, he set up an independent practice in London's Hatton Garden and in 1991 he fostered a valuable partnership with Alexander McQueen that continues to this day. He has been named designer of the year award twice – in 2004 and 2005 – at the Jewellery Awards and clients include Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, David Beckham, Sir Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, David Bowie, Bjork, Jade Jagger and Susan Sarandon among them.

Anoushka Ducas, Links of London

Links of London was founded in 1990 by Anoushka Ducas and her husband, John Ayton. Developing out of one single request for a pair of fish cufflinks, Links of London were quickly adopted by Harvey Nichols, the exclusive London fashion store, who loved the design and ordered a whole collection. Today they have grown internationally with stores in the UK, Hong Kong, USA and Canada. Links of London was named Jewellery Brand of the Year for the third year running at the prestigious UK Jewellery Awards 2007, held in London last week. It is the first time that a jewellery brand has won this coveted title for three consecutive years – a truly outstanding achievement.

David Morris

David Morris has been a leading name in fine jewellery since he opened his first store in London, 45 years ago. His flagship store is situated in Bond Street, a testament to the quality of his jewellery design and the type of clients it attracts. He has also expanded abroad and has stores in countries as diverse as Florida USA, Latvia, Dubai, Qatar and Moscow Russia.

Melvyn Kirtley, President of Tiffany & Co. (UK)

Launched in 1837, Tiffany & Co. are today one of the most successful international jewellery brands in history. You need only say the name Tiffany and a little blue box with a silk white bow is conjured up, packaging not only an exquisite item of jewellery item but also a feminine dream. As President of Tiffany & Co. (UK), Kirtley is a fantastic addition to our Patrons

Dinny Hall

Dinny Hall is British A-list in the jewellery industry. Graduating from Central St Martins in 1983 with a degree in jewellery design, in 1989 she won ‘Accessory Designer of the Year’ as voted for by the British Fashion Council and the international fashion press, while in 1996 she won the Marie Claire ‘Jewellery Designer of the Year. Her jewellery is regularly featured in all the luxury international publications and some of her celebrity clients include Erin O’Conner, Liz Hurley, Kristen Scott-Thomas, Ralph Fiennes, Dawn French, Uma Thurman, Rachel Stevens and Max Beasley.

Amanda Wakeley

Amanda Wakeley is one of Britain’s leading lights in the fashion industry. She launched her signature label in 1990 and is the only designer to have won the ‘Glamour’ award at the British Fashion Awards three times. Since 1996 she has co-chaired the committee for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Appeal. Some of her fans include Elizabeth Hurley, Jennifer Lopez, Queen Rania of Jordan and the late Princess Diana.

Nadja Swarovski

Nadja Swarovski has transformed her father’s Austrian crystal company from a quaint firm known for its small crystal animal figurines into a globally recognised brand synonymous with high-end fashion and glamour. As vice president of international communications, Nadja has masterminded Swarovski crystal's reinvention and she is passionate about her 'product.' Thanks to her, Swarovski is now omnipresent at fashion awards, catwalk shows, film premieres and art and design fairs; its crystals are used by fashion designers from the edgiest Central Saint Martin’s graduate to the hallowed ateliers of Armani, Dior and Chanel.

Professor Richard Himsworth, MD FRCP, Prime Warden for The Goldsmiths’ Company

Son of Sir Harold Himsworth (past Prime Warden, of the Goldsmiths’ Company) Professor Richard Himsworth was born in London in 1937. His academic record is impressive – upon leaving Westminster he studied Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge from 1955-58. Professor Himsworth qualified as a doctor from University College Hospital in 1961 and completed subsequent specialist training as a physician and endocrinologist, and in clinical research.

More than half the membership of The Goldsmiths’ Company comprises men and women engaged in the trade, which includes silversmiths and jewellers, and those in allied areas including design, retail and auction. The remainder of the membership incorporates a broad range of backgrounds and experience, with industry, commerce, education and the arts well represented. As with most other Livery Companies, the membership is made up of Freemen, Liverymen, and Assistants. Professor Himsworth, as Prime Warden, chairs The Court of Wardens and oversees all matters relating to the policy and direction of the Company.