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4 March 2024
At G-Silver, we are passionate about jewellery trends, and we wanted to share our inspiring encounters with you. We’ll begin our article series with Emilie Kain-Lacombre who has contributed to the creation of the new Fashion Jewellery training course at the BOCI. A remarkable job which took shape in September 2023 with the opening of “Additional Title” (name which will be replaced by “Certificate of Specialization” in 2025) in Fashion Jewellery from l’Academie des Métiers d’Art. Emilie explains to us the added value of this training course which enriches the world of jewellery.
At the beginning of this initiative, there was no specific course for fashion jewellery and the classic pathway in jewellery making didn’t completely meet the needs of the labour market. Indeed, graduates with a degree in jewellery making often didn’t have the skills necessary to work in companies that were more in line with the fashion scene. Inversely, fashion jewellery, with its multitude of forms and materials, didn’t have its place in the traditional curriculum which is mainly focused on working with precious metals (gold, silver, vermeil). Observing this in a growing business context, the need to create a specific training course became evident. Therefore, the idea of this degree was born.
At the beginning of this initiative, there was no specific course for fashion jewellery and the classic pathway in jewellery making didn’t completely meet the needs of the labour market
In 2020 the Minister of Education contacted the BOCI to drive the creation of this new degree. Naturally we seized the opportunity and stood in favor of the project. After a series of meetings and discussions with professionals, the project was presented in government committees and received the green light. The process took more than two years, and the degree was published in the Journal Officiel in February 2023. L’Academie des Metiers d’Art adopted it in September 2023, and l’Ecole Boulle will soon follow suit in September 2024. Other establishments also envision integrating it into their curriculum. Our work continues with the promotion of this degree which is appealing to graduates, schools and businesses. A communication campaign will be released this spring!
The training lasts one year and delivers a level 3 degree (Additional Title or Certificate of Specialization) in Fashion Jewellery. It is intended for those who have a vocational degree, particularly in jewellery making. However, this isn’t necessarily a requirement as there are twenty or more vocational degrees which are eligible in the art field. At this time, it consists of an initial training, mainly aimed towards young adults. Extension projects geared towards other audiences are being considered for the future, notably for those looking for professional reorientation training.
A crucial aspect of the training resides in the understanding of the frequent renewal of collections, demanding a dynamic rhythm
The student will learn how to make jewellery pieces intended for fashion accessories or jewels with the latest fashion trends as inspiration. A crucial aspect of the training resides in the understanding of the frequent renewal of collections, demanding a dynamic rhythm. The courses about trends and the creation of mood boards will allow students to meet the requirements expected of them in the exciting world of fashion. On the technical side, the work is focused on plated or non-plated base metals, wood, leather, skins, glass, crystal, resin or plastic materials. Students learn how to create a piece starting from its specifications all the way through to its final product. After vocational training, graduates can obtain positions in manufacturing.
To sum up, for a student who already has a vocational degree in jewellery making, this training course will add a fashion aspect. For a student who has another type of vocational degree, he will be able to learn the technical aspect of jewellery making. The training course’s system of reference also integrates the notion of sustainable development
Fashion jewellery isn’t changing the jeweller’s profession, but rather nourishing, enriching it and adding to it. Numerous hybrid profiles are emerging, with candidates holding vocational degrees in jewellery making but also in ceramics, glasswork, etc. Other backgrounds coming from the fashion world can also do this training. The creative part is more intense than that of jewellery making, offering individuals the possibility to innovate with new material. The job prospects of the training course go even further than just jewellery making, such as creating hair accessories, shoe jewellery, perfume packaging and embellishments. The possibilities are vaste and expanding!
The new generation is more progressive, aspiring to create their own brand, to forge their own path by mixing techniques and expertise
The future of jewellery making will be marked by a greater proportion of hybrid profiles. We can already see a rapid development in smaller brands and an increase in profiles which are in redevelopment. Technical positions in the domain of fashion and luxury are currently facing problems of recruitment and appeal, but hope resides in the continued efforts of the sector to attract young people. The new generation is more progressive, aspiring to create their own brand, to forge their own path by mixing techniques and expertise. Our job is to respond to this need by opening the door of this new training course to both young people and those in retraining, and to evolve the jewellery world at every angle.
Since 1873, the BOCI has been accompanying and promoting businesses in the jewellery industry in their development in France and internationally.
As a professional organisation, the BOCI has nearly 150 adhering businesses including creators, fashion or fine jewellery brands, as well as manufacturers and vendors. It represents these businesses in front of public authorities, joint bodies, elected members, and the media.
