On Wednesday 16th September 2026, more than 200 guests gathered at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London for the annual Shine 2026 pop-up, celebrating the next generation of jewellery and silversmithing talent and championing the work of thirteen emerging makers: Amber Cooper, Annie Higgins, Beth Chesser, Ella Bonomi, Epona Smith, Helen Dugdale, Helena Palmeira, Jade Mellor, Liu Yang, Mark Eames, Matilde Mozzanega, Militsa Milenkova and Rachael Plassard. The event brought together members of the public alongside an influential cross-section of the UK’s craft and jewellery community. Guests had the opportunity to meet the makers, discover their collections and hear more about their creative practices, and in many cases, take home a piece from the latest Shine collections.
The pop-up marked the culmination of the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s intensive four-month, free training programme, giving the participating jewellers and silversmiths the opportunity to confidently put their learning into practice and present, sell and showcase their work professionally to new audiences.
Throughout the programme, the makers were supported by a diverse group of industry experts, including fashion business and digital consultant Toyin Laketu; novelist and creative writing lecturer Shaun Levin; award-winning broadcast professionals Brightest Bulb; luxury retail sales consultant Zoe Cooper; and EC One co-founder and pricing expert Alison Skeates.
Together, the programme equips cohorts with practical skills spanning storytelling, digital marketing, pricing, sales, retail, communications and presenting – helping them take the next step in developing their creative businesses.
A number of awards were presented during the evening, recognising outstanding achievement across jewellery, silversmithing, design, technical skill and storytelling. Beth Chesser received the Goldsmiths’ Company Recognition Award for Jewellery, presented as part of the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, while Militsa Milenkova received the Goldsmiths’ Company Recognition Award for Silversmithing.
Rachael Plassard was recognised with three awards: the Technical Excellence Award, presented by Mr Sherwood; the Storytelling and Narrative Award, presented by a journalist and writer; Rachael Taylor and the Best Collection Award, presented by EC One.
The Innovation in Design Award, presented by Dover Street Market, went to Helena Palmeira, while Amber Cooper received the Innovative Use of Materials Award, presented by Gill Wing Gallery and Goldlark Jewellery. The Best Fine Jewellery Award, presented by the V&A, was awarded to Epona Smith.
Charlotte Dew, Head of Public Programmes, explains:
“We were thrilled to welcome so many guests to this year’s Shine pop-up and to see such an enthusiastic response to the work of our thirteen makers. The evening provided a brilliant opportunity for the makers to meet collectors, buyers, industry professionals and the wider jewellery community, and to share their work directly with new audiences. The strength of sales is a wonderful reflection of the talent, creativity and originality of this year’s cohort, but also of the immense support they have received throughout the programme. Seeing the makers put their new skills into practice, build their confidence and expand their professional networks has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re immensely proud of what they have achieved.”
Shine 2026 continues at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, where all thirteen collections remain on display in the Atrium until 18 December 2026.
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