Award winning British designer Jack Row will showcase “contemporary treasures” at the 30th Annual Goldsmiths’ Fair after a successful Harrods debut and scooping ‘Best of the Best’ accolade.
Following the successful launch of his debut ‘Architect ‘collection of solid gold and diamond set fountain pens at Harrods, Birmingham based graduate, Jack Row, has found his handcrafted works of art being rapidly snapped up by international purveyors of luxury goods, and the hot topic in exclusive magazines and journals. The young goldsmith has even been commissioned to create a bespoke piece for a discerning Middle Eastern collector.
To top this success, the American luxury magazine, the Robb Report, awarded Jack Row a coveted ‘Best of the Best’ honour in their annual awards, declaring the designer’s stunning debut work a “… collection of fascinating intricacy and modernity”. High praise indeed considering that Jack is only twenty-six years old and only established his brand in 2011, following graduation from the Birmingham School of Jewellery.
Jack hopes to build upon his early success by launching his latest ‘Jaali’ and ‘City’ collections, as well as several one off pieces of objet’s d’art and fine jewellery, at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Fair in the City of London later this month.
The Fair is celebrating 30 years of supporting the skills and artistic talents of the country’s most creative contemporary jewellers and silversmiths and offers the opportunity to meet and buy from leading designer-makers.
Concerning his luxury ‘Jaali’ collection Jack Row commented; “My newest collection of luxury fountain pens and cufflinks are intended to be collectable contemporary treasures, each piece being hand crafted in England from solid sterling silver and 18ct gold and set with accents of precious petrol-blue diamonds. Inspiration for the collection is drawn from the geometric patterns of Islamic art, which is translated into the Jaali latticed screens characteristic of Moghul Indian architecture. ”
Appreciative of the fact that his Architect and Jaali collections are priced to reflect the high precious metal content, Jack is also launching his more affordable City Collection. Concerning his philosophy behind this range, Jack explained; “Each pen is handcrafted from solid sterling silver and is stylishly minimalist, yet discreetly defined with precious gemstones such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires. These luxury writing instruments will appeal to the discerning city professional who requires everyday practicality, and that added ‘wow factor’.
Jack is keen to promote contemporary British design and craftsmanship; “Each piece is individually made to order in my Birmingham studio and carries a UK hallmark, struck by the Birmingham Assay Office, guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of the precious metals. Each pen also features a solid 18ct gold nib, although all the designs are also available as a roller-ball version, upon request.”
Jack was born in Nottingham, England in 1985. An interest in art, design and technology developed from an early age, and he knew his career lay within the creative arts. After completing an apprenticeship in traditional goldsmithing, he began studying in 2005 at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) on a Higher National Diploma (HND) jewellery/silversmithing design course. Following successful graduation in 2007 and winning a number of awards, he entered employment for one of Europe’s leading jewellery manufacturing companies, as a designer of bespoke products. Experimenting with the application of computer aided design (CAD) technology, Jack became fascinated with its potential for the creation of innovative, exciting products.
Returning to study at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) in 2008, he began to combine his traditional skills learned as an apprentice, with the innovative application of CAD and RP (Rapid-Prototyping) technologies. Graduating with a First-Class Honours degree a year later, Jack won the coveted British Jewellers Association prize for his precious metal fountain pen design concept. Six months later, he was awarded a Gold Medal prize by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the established Livery companies of London, for his ‘Architect’ prototype fountain pen, in sterling silver, based upon the original design concept.
Jack currently designs and crafts his writing instruments and accessories in his studio, based in the heart of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery-Quarter. Jack is also a visiting lecturer at Birmingham City University, giving seminars to design students on a range academic and vocational courses.
Jack Row will be exhibiting at Goldsmiths’ Fair from 24th-30th September at the Goldsmiths’ Hall near St Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London.
Further details are available at: www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/exhibitions-promotions/goldsmiths’-fair/. Visit www.jackrow.com to find out more about the designer.
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