Spotlight

Feature Award-winning jewellery designer Imogen Belfield

Championed by Stephen Webster
Design
The Wick Culture - Goddess Necklace by Imogen Belfield
Above  Goddess Necklace by Imogen Belfield
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The Wick Culture - Imogen Belfield
Above  Imogen Belfield
Interview
Imogen Belfield
29 September 2021
Interview
Imogen Belfield
29 September 2021
Stephen Webster MBE is widely considered to be one of the international jewellery scene’s most accomplished and innovative contemporary designers. Over his four decade-spanning career, he’s continued to break the rules of fine jewellery with designs that are intelligent, thought-provoking and visionary. As well as having a keen eye for detail, he’s also got an impressive eye for discovering up-and-coming talent, which encouraged him to establish the Rock Vault mentoring programme in 2012. The initiative was developed with the British Fashion Council to nurture creative, London-based fine jewellery talent and to support designers to develop their businesses. (It now sits under BFC’s NEWGEN initiative, which Webster leads the Accessories panel for.)
Jewellery designer Imogen Belfield, known for her distinct style of mark making in metal, first received recognition in the industry by becoming a graduate of Rock Vault.

Stephen Webster says: “I first became acquainted with Imogen and her fearless jewellery when she became one of the first group of designers to join Rock Vault. Imogen was always a rock star through her extraordinary fashion jewellery. Over the three years Imogen was part of Rock Vault, she took on board every bit of mentoring and advice in order to help her transition towards becoming the fine jeweller she is today.”


He adds: “I have never been prouder than during her final year. While exhibiting with Rock Vault at the COUTURE show in Las Vegas, Imogen won the award for ‘Best in Gold’. She is now a superstar jeweller without question.”

The awards have continued to pile up for Belfield and her handmade, ‘rockesque’ one-of-a-kind creations that include cascading golden nugget pendants encrusted with precious stones and statement cocktail rings infused with handmade porcelain. In the past few years, she has received the ‘Trendsetter’ award from Professional Jeweller and been shortlisted for a Drapers Award and Retail Jeweller’s ‘Designer of the Year’. Her covetable pieces have also graced the necks and hands of a plethora of stars including Beyoncé and Naomi Campbell. Most recently, Olivia Colman wore her pieces to the BAFTA Film Awards and Oscars.

Recent projects also include a new partnership with Selfridges and La Maison Couture. As part of Selfridges’ Project Earth sustainability vision, Imogen Belfield has been selected as one of the brands championing sustainability within the British jewellery industry.

You can next see her pieces on your television too. She says: “I recently made some statement pieces of jewellery for the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. I created cuffs and necklaces for Tati Gabrielle’s fierce and enchanting character Prudence. Given the sculptural qualities to my work, it embodies a scale that works to dramatic effect whether on stage worn by rock stars or in films worn by the actors. These projects are always especially fun.”

The fun and excitement don’t stop there. Belfield adds: “There is something pretty epic in the pipeline that we’ve been working on this year, and it’s fair to say 2022 is going to be very exciting. Watch this space…”

About the champion

The Wick Culture - Stephen Webster (Rankin)

Over four decades, renowned British jeweller Stephen Webster has pushed creative boundaries while paying homage to state-of-the-art techniques and British craftsmanship. His bold collections take inspiration from art, fashion, music, literature and the natural world, and have seen him collaborate with the likes of British artist Tracey Emin. Passionate about the environment and community, he is also an advocate of ethically sourced materials and actively supports various charities including Mind and Plastic Oceans International.

“She is now a superstar jeweller without question.”

Stephen Webster

Place of Birth

By the sea near Brighton, East Sussex

Education

I spent an idyllic year down in Cornwall at the Falmouth art college, before moving to London to complete my degree in jewellery design. During this time, I completed an internship with Shaun Leane, which was a truly inspiring and informative time.

Awards, Accolades

‘Best in Gold’ at the COUTURE Design Awards, 2016
Selected for Rock Vault, 2012

Current exhibitions

‘CIRCLES’ at Blindwell, Barnstaple until 20 November 2021.

Spiritual guides, Mentors

Since graduating from Rock Vault a few years ago, Stephen Webster has continued to be a mentor.


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