Luxury analyst Paola De Luca’s The Futurist agency is collaborating with the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) to deliver three complimentary course programmes about sustainability, recycling and responsible materials management to jewellery designers around the world.
The webinar modules, endorsed by CIBJO and RJC, will be delivered by Paola on 20th October, 3rd November and 24th November, 2021.
The courses will cover areas relevant to designers such as how to create a sustainable and responsibly managed supply chain of metals, gemstones and other materials; recycling; re-purposing; re-design of products and services; “circular design” and the circular economy; applying the three pillars of sustainability – people, planet and profits – to more conscientious and responsible jewellery design; and case studies of jewellery design inspirations for the sustainably minded consumer.
The programme will also cover ground such as supporting heritage and culture by helping artisans cultivate crafts, and developing hybrid designs using natural and laboratory made materials.
The courses, which will receive a certificate of completion from the RJC, will encourage designers to join the RJC community.
De Luca said, “The Millennial and Gen Z jewellery consumer is demanding ever higher standards and responsible supply chains. These courses are designed to present to jewellery designers the steps they should take to meet the new demands of sustainability in a circular economy where recycling and responsible materials management are essential. The Futurist aims to inspire designers by ‘doing the right thing’: taking responsibility by creating a circular vision as a movement that dramatically makes a change in the jewellery industry and other sectors.”
Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the RJC, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Futurist and CIBJO on the sustainability courses especially targeted to designers. Education is critical to advance the sustainability agenda. Designers are the future of creativity, and we look forward to building a strong programme to help them integrate sustainability at the core of their concept thinking and business strategy.”