TWO rings could rule them all when a Rugby jewellery design student goes up against the UK’s best budding designers for a national award.
Kate Hadden has been shortlisted as one of 15 finalists for the Ingle & Rhode 2017 Fairtrade Gold Design Awards thanks to her Lord of the Rings-inspired Elven Wedding Set.
The award aims to raise awareness of Fairtrade gold – which gives a better deal to small-scale miners and their communities in developing countries.
Birmingham City University student Kate beat over 100 other designers to reach the final.
The 20 year-old designed the his-and-her’s rings “to fit perfectly along side one another, and become whole only when together, reflecting the endless love of the bride and groom”.
Kate designed the his-and-her’s rings “to fit perfectly along side one another, and become whole only when together”. (s)
And she said her Tolkien inspiration went hand-in-hand with the ethos of the competition.
She said: “The Elves are renowned for their love of and respect for nature, so Fairtrade gold and ethically sourced diamonds will be an important factor.
Kate’s design draws on the aesthetics of JRR Tolkien’s Elves. (s)
“The Fairtrade Gold Awards has been an amazing opportunity for me and given me the confidence to believe in myself and my career.
“The exposure this opportunity has provided is outstanding and it’s a great thing to include on my CV for when I have finished studying and looking for employment.”
Tim Ingle, co-founder at Ingle & Rhode, said: “We have seen some incredible talent throughout this process, and it was really tough to choose the finalists.
“They are the future of our industry, and these awards have been created to help provide them with a platform to publicise and promote their talent.”
The award’s eventual winner will have their design made in Fairtrade gold by Ingle & Rhode, and then auctioned to raise funds for the Fairtrade Foundation.
A public vote will determine winners from three categories – Apprentices and Students in Further Education; Undergraduates; and Postgraduates and Early Careers – before judges pick the overall winner.
Visit www.ingleandrhode.co.uk/awards/2017-finalists to vote. The winner will be announced on April 25.
