The British Academy of Jewelry (BAJ) held Jewelry for a Cause, a charity event on Thursday 13 February, at its recently acquired Camden Town campus.
The event featured work by students from the BA (Hons) Jewelry Design and Production course and welcomed over 100 attendees, including industry professionals, students, staff and members of the BAJ community.
Designing for Charitable Causes
First- and second-year students collaborated in mixed-year groups to design and present both statement ‘hero’ pieces and affordable charity items, each priced under £5. The project involved designing jewelry in support of selected charitable causes. Groups also produced short films documenting their design process, which were shown at the event.
Proceeds from the charity designs were donated to organisations chosen by the students. In total, the initiative raised over £480 for six charities: Marine Conservation Society, British Beekeeping Association, Edible Landscapes London, Rainbow Trust, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Rewilding Britain.
Awards Recognising Design and Communication
Three awards were presented during the event by guest judge Anton Wiltshire, a London-based design consultant and fashion jeweller.
- Best Charity Piece Design was awarded to the British Beekeepers Association group—Ruth Walter, Alana Sweet, Veroni Dimitrov and Ray Shaikh. “We designed a seeded paper origami bee brooch that can be worn and then planted to grow flowers, creating a haven for bees and other pollinators. All the funds raised have been donated to the British Beekeepers Association to further support bee conservation.”
- Best Hero Piece Design went to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust group—Nadine McBurnie, Avant Williams, Bea Tilley Wyatt and Lily Straker. “Our hero piece is a twist on an elephant’s ear, using fold-forming to mimic the texture of an elephant’s skin.”
- Best Fashion Film was awarded to the Marine Conservation Society group—Emily Murphy, Rebecca Prenga and Bayleigh Morris. “Within our team, we felt it necessary to highlight the ongoing crisis of our oceans’ pollution due to damaging human activity. Working in support of the Ocean Conservation Society and creating a selection of key rings, our film navigates the process of the project and how our final piece came to life.”
Anton Wiltshire also contributed £60 to the student fundraising effort.
Curriculum Links and Industry Relevance
The project is part of BAJ’s curriculum, which includes collaborative assignments focused on professional practice. It reflects a broader inclusion of socially themed projects within jewelry education, where students explored how jewelry design can be used to address environmental and social themes.
Phoebe Coleman, Design and Professional Practice Lecturer, commented on the educational aims of the initiative:
“At BAJ, we believe that design is more than aesthetics – it’s a powerful tool for change. This project showcased the incredible talent and social consciousness of our BA (Hons) Jewelry Design and Production students. Through creativity and collaboration, they transformed ideas into wearable statements that raise awareness and funds for important causes. This project is a testament to how higher education can inspire purpose-driven innovation, equipping our students with the skills and mindset to make a real impact in the world of jewelry and beyond.”Further information about the BA (Hons) Jewelry Design and Production degree at the British Academy of Jewelry is available on the BAJ website. Applications for September 2025 entry are currently open via UCAS Extra.
