Benderloch designer Ellis dazzles jewellery judges
Benderloch’s Ellis Cameron has struck gold after being named the UK’s Young Jewellery Designer of the year.
Judges chose the former Oban High School pupil out of 600 entries after her work shone out.
‘I didn’t have any idea I had won until my name was announced, so it was really exciting!’ said Glasgow School of Art graduate Ellis, who was one of six designers shortlisted for the Retail Jeweller’s UK Jewellery Awards - the country’s longest-running and most prestigious trade awards event.
Her win was revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on
September 1 at The Brewery in London.
‘It was lovely not just to be shortlisted, but to have won! My jewellery is not the most traditional, so it was great to be recognised by the industry in this way,’ said Ellis who has a studio in The Goldsmiths Centre, London and whose work has made it into Vogue.
She added: ‘ I’m really busy and couldn’t be happier!’
Lots of bespoke commissions for engagement and wedding rings are filling her time as well as her fulfilling wholesale orders for her stockists in the USA and getting ready for Goldsmiths Fair later this month showcasing the work of 120 master jewellery designers and silversmiths.
Although life is now in London where Ellis moved to complete a Masters in
Jewellery Design at Central St Martins and was later accepted onto a Setting Out scheme run by training charity The Goldsmith Centre, her Benderloch roots where proud mum and dad Joy and Campbell Cameron still live are not forgotten.
Home in Scotland is a major source of inspiration, from rugged landscapes to wild coastlines or discovered jewellery hoards.
Ruth Faulkner, editor of Retail Jeweller, said: ‘The companies we celebrated at this year’s UK Jewellery Awards from across all areas of the industry and the supply chain must be applauded as the leading lights in our sector. So, to all our finalists and winners. Congratulations, they really are the very best in the business.’