The British Academy of Jewellery is thrilled to announce the winners of “Adaptability, Versatility, Longevity,” an exciting BAJ Live Project competition carried out in collaboration with renowned London jewellery brand Alex Monroe.

This project challenged students from the first year of BAJ’s Jewellery Design & Manufacturing Diploma to design and make an original wearable jewellery piece in response to a competition brief set by Alex Monroe. Three winners have been selected: Lisa Savage, Kristina Lindsay and Tabitha Sullivan. 

Chosen by jewellery designer and brand founder Alex Monroe and his team, the winners were announced during a glittering award ceremony hosted at the upscale Alex Monroe boutique at 33 Floral Street, in Covent Garden, London, on 29 July. The intimate event was attended by BAJ staff and students, and representatives of the Alex Monroe brand, including the designer himself, who came together to celebrate the creativity and impressive technical skill shown by the project participants. 

The creators of the three winning pieces will all receive one-week work experience placements at the Alex Monroe HQ, during which they will have the opportunity to explore a specialist area of their choice and meet and learn from the brand’s founder.

“I have been so impressed with the quality of the pieces submitted by BAJ students for this brief,” said Monroe. “It’s been wonderful to see how these talented emerging jewellers have so successfully applied their technical design skills and commercial knowledge developed at BAJ to the project set by us, and underscoring the values of sustainability, longevity and craftsmanship that Alex Monroe stands for. We look forward to welcoming the competition’s winners to Alex Monroe HQ for what promises to be a valuable experience for all involved.”

“Adaptability, Versatility, Longevity” is the latest in a series of collaborative Live Projects undertaken by BAJ in partnership with top jewellery brands. 

Taking inspiration from the theme of transformation and the natural world, the “Adaptability, Versatility, Longevity” brief invited students to create versatile pieces that could be transformed to suit different situations. In order to challenge the throwaway fast-fashion culture often seen in today’s society, students were encouraged to design durable, responsible pieces, each featuring a 5mm repurposed sapphire generously donated by the Alex Monroe brand.

“The BAJ Live Project in collaboration with Alex Monroe has been a fantastic experience for participating students,” added BAJ’s Head of Academy, Kate Rieppel. “It has not only required them to actively consider critical issues facing the contemporary jewellery industry, such as sustainability and responsible design but has also given them practical experience in working with repurposed stones.”

Perhaps best known for his instantly recognisable bumblebee pendant, Monroe founded his namesake brand over 35 years ago. Combining delicate beauty with a quirky twist, his long-lasting and sustainable handmade pieces, which often take their inspiration from nature, have gained him critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase.

The 22 pieces resulting from the “Adaptability, Versatility, Longevity” Live Project will be displayed at BAJ’s Student Showcase at Alex Monroe’s Floral Street boutique until Thursday 12 August.