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Multi-award winning bespoke fine jewellery in platinum, gold and silver set with precious and semi-precious gemstones.
Made here in the UK, fusing traditional techniques and innovative technologies with passion to create pieces of exceptional beauty.
What is progressive jewellery? Progressive design is unafraid to challenge the conventions and limitations of the day.
It begins with you, your ideas and desires, together we push the boundaries of imagination, craft and technology to create wearable art.
Victoria Barker was born in 1980. She studied English Literature at King's College University and Jewellery Manufacture / Computer Aided Design in Hatton Garden. Her career has included working for the family business The Barker Gallery (contemporary fine art), investment banking and diamond retail.
Victoria Barker launched Jerboa Jewellery, a collection of opulent statement pieces at London Fashion Week 2010 closely followed by London Jewellery Week 2011. Her collection was quickly picked up by stockists across London and in 2012 she left her role at Deutsche Bank in the City of London to concentrate on her brand full time.
In 2013 Victoria grabbed the attention of Sky TV when she was invited to provide the final photoshoot challenge for Britain and Ireland’s Next Top model alongside Elle Macpherson in Harrison’s Cave Barbados. The show was syndicated worldwide and broadcast to over 50 million viewers.
Following the success of the Jerboa Collection in 2014 Victoria won a gold award at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards for her Antoinette Necklace.
Shortly after winning her award Victoria was invited to apply for residency at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in the heart of Clerkenwell. The Centre is a state-of-the-art learning, working and events venue for jewellers, silversmiths and allied professionals.
In August 2014 Victoria moved into her new studio to focus on designing an ultra high-end collection of gold, diamond and gemstone jewellery. Two new collection pieces, the Anuket necklace and the Orbital cuff were revealed at the Goldsmiths’ Autumn/Winter exhibitions. Victoria was delighted to be interviewed and have her work featured by the BBC World Service for a short film about the exhibition.
In January 2015 Victoria launched her self-titled collection Victoria Barker London incorporating limited edition and singular pieces of collectable art.
“The somatic senses are as important to me as the optical. I always begin by exploring how the materials move and feel against the skin. I always want the jewels to feel as though they orbit, flow and cascade around the contours of the body.
Underpinning my compositions are complex technical structures. The jewels must feel as sumptuous as they look, when I use over 500 grams of gold in one neckpiece I must engineer each segment so that it perfectly distributes the weight on the wearer.
I often experiment with unexpected and daring ways of presenting gemstones. Pearls which are usually known for their gentle sensuality take on a warrior strength in my Orbital cuff. I think very carefully about colour palettes. The blood red rubies and rich chocolate pearls in my Odyssey necklace introduce a certain degree of darkness to the beauty.
Ongoing themes in my work include planets in orbit and the contours of desert landscapes. I am fascinated by the untamed energy of nature which carves sculptures into the sand and forges gemstones in the heart of volcanoes.
I once heard classical literature described as news that remains news. It is the same for all art, if it is of the very best quality and craftsmanship it should endure the test of time. I have endeavoured to create future artefacts.”
London - 3rd March 2015
On Monday, 2nd March 2015, Victoria was honoured to receive three awards at the Goldsmiths’ annual Craftsmanship & Design Awards.
Encompassing both design and finished pieces, the awards recognise the highest standards in traditional silversmithing techniques and modern technologies such as computer aided design and 3D printing.
Victoria won the CAD Presentation Silver Award for her Odyssey necklace, a design in molten red rubies, dusky 18ct rose gold and the finest chocolate pearls. Odyssey is part of Victoria’s latest collection of stunning and luxurious fine jewellery which explores nature, classical Arabic poetry and mythology.
Speaking about her newly launched self-titled collection Victoria says: “The somatic senses are as important to me as the optical. I always begin by exploring how the materials move and feel against the skin. I always want the jewels to feel as though they orbit, flow and cascade around the contours of the body. I often experiment with unexpected and daring ways of presenting gemstones. Pearls which are usually known for their gentle sensuality take on a warrior strength in my Orbital cuff.”
Victoria was delighted to receive two commendation awards for her Orbital cuff in the categories of Technical Innovation and Fashion Led Conceptual Jewellery from the Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Council.
“I could not feel more privileged than I do to have received this combination of awards for my Orbital Cuff which combines beauty, engineering and sheer enjoyment for the wearer.”
Fondly known as the Jewellery Oscars, the awards which are sponsored by founding and lead patron The Goldsmiths’ Company and principal patron Cartier are held at the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, more commonly known as the Goldsmiths' Company, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London and received its first royal charter in 1327.
London - 4th March 2014
Each year the Goldsmiths’ Company celebrates some of the up-and-coming designers from the UK jewellery industry by offering them the chance to enter the Craftsmanship and Design Awards, a national competition focused solely on new design talent.
The competition culminates in a glamorous award ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall – an opportunity for entrants to showcase their work to a host of industry professionals. To celebrate this event, each year Gem-A awards two Diamond Scholarships to the individuals who demonstrate a passion for gems and gem-set jewellery in the designs of their pieces.
This year’s winners, Victoria Barker and Joanna Fronczak-Jabbal, displayed an inventive use of gems in their designs and successfully demonstrated in their personal statements how winning the scholarship would assist in their personal and professional development and benefit their design and craftsmanship skills.
The intricacy of Victoria’s design impressed the judges, as did the forethought applied to her application. Judges were also extremely impressed with Victoria’s personal statement, which explained how winning the scholarship would be the first step in making the most of her industry contacts and in generating interest in her designs from companies overseas.
It was this focus on the future of her designs and career that made Victoria a strong candidate for the award. Upon the presentation of the award Victoria said: “As someone with a lifelong love of gemstones, coupled with a passion for materials and beauty, the course will bring me another step closer to realizing my designs in precious gems and metals.”
She continued: “I feel that a deeper understanding of diamonds in all their breathtaking glory will lead to a greater confidence in my designs. Victoria Barker of London is a young brand, still finding its feet in many ways, but has always prided itself in its integrity. This applies to our designs, our materials and, most importantly, the way we deal with our clients. Having a chance to take this course can only help improve these key elements.”
London - 25th March 2011
"On Friday the 25th of March I attended the Square Mile 30 under 30 talent awards at the Museum of London. I was extremely pleased and excited to be nominated for the entrepreneurship category and beat over 1000 other applicants as the only designer to make it as a finalist.
I was both nervous and delighted waiting to collect my award in front of 100's of people. In addition to the award fantastic goody bags were provided courtesy of the sponsors Square Mile. It was a night that I will always cherish".
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