EXCLUSIVE JEWELLERY BOXES BY LUXURY DESIGNERS AVAILABLE FOR eBAY PUBLIC CHARITY AUCTION: 14th-24th MARCH 2013:
The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts’ and ‘Holts Academy’ supported by Coutts
21 unique jewellery boxes that have been designed and handcrafted by world renowned and up-and-coming British iconic jewellery designers, artists and luxury brands will be publically auctioned on eBay for charity from 14 – 24 March in aid of two creative industry causes.
‘Beautiful Boxes’ is launched today by Coutts as a fundraising initiative in aid of arts education charity, The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, and not-for-profit organisation, Holts Academy of Jewellery.
Luxury brands who are contributing boxes include: Alex Monroe, Ali Miller, Annoushka Jewellery, Caramel Baby & Child, Damien Jeffery, David Marshall, Elizabeth Gage, Elvis & Kresse, Emma Yeo, Getty Images, Jason Holt, Jimbobart, Laurence Llewelyn Bowen, Lily & Lionel, Monica Vinader, Paul Smith, Theo Fennell, Tobyboo, Todd Lynn, Holts Academy of Jewellery and Coutts. The auction will be made publically available.
Michael Morley, Chief Executive, Coutts & Co commented: “Coutts has a long history of championing the creative industries and philanthropy has been running in our DNA since our earliest foundations. This campaign was launched as a fundraising project that would champion the best of British design excellence today, while harnessing artistic talent of future generations. We are extremely grateful to those who have given their time and we are confident that these unique handcrafted boxes will go on to become treasures of the future."
Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive, The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts: “We’re thrilled to be involved in the Beautiful Boxes auction, for which some of the creative industries' most inspiring designers have fashioned some truly outstanding boxes. Every penny of the money raised will be spent directly on our work with disadvantaged children across the UK, giving them the chance to see high-quality arts performances and exhibitions. We work to get children actively involved in the arts, raising their confidence and equipping them with life skills vital to achieving a better future and are hugely grateful to Coutts for taking this initiative and helping us to transform more young lives."
Lee Lucas, Director of the multi award-winning Holts Academy, says: “Supporting British jewellery craftsmanship and its future is at the heart of what Holts Academy is about. The Coutts Beautiful Boxes project is therefore the perfect collaboration for us. It both inspires our apprentices and students to reach new heights in their design skills, as well as celebrate the best of Made In Britain. The jewellery boxes I have seen so far are beautiful, capture one’s imagination and most importantly of all are bringing together the greatest designers with the future blood of the jewellery industry. Brilliant!”
The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts is a charity with a UK wide arts engagement programme, working with deprived children from areas of social and economic disadvantage, raising children’s self-esteem and confidence, and nurturing communication skills. Children learn that cultural venues are welcoming, accessible places to visit and since 2006 have introduced over 300,000 children to life-changing arts experiences.
Holts Academy of Jewellery the first ever Government approved apprenticeship scheme for young jewellers in the UK is a wonderful starting block for the young apprentices - mainly under 18 years old and often from disadvantaged backgrounds - who wish to pursue a career in jewellery. It sees the students through a combination of skills based teaching and training, nurturing the next generation of British designers, matches them with employers along the way and concludes with permanent employment at the end of the course
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View auction at ebay.co.uk/beautifulboxes from 1st March 2013