Disrupting the Chain: The Luxury of Craftsmanship

Abstract

The ways in which the luxury brand and designer craftsmen and women approach the design process could not be more different. The former is led by economics, vertical integration, mass production and global markets. Luxury brands manufacture millions of pieces of jewellery each season to ensure the fashion system is fully operational and profitable. The latter is led by an intrinsic understanding and interpretation of the world around them, their concern for the environment, the origin of their raw materials and the most appropriate integration of new technologies to enhance their product offer. Theo Fennell, Ute Decker and Mark Bloomfield are three London jewellers who approach design and making in two distinctively different ways. Fennell works predominantly in precious metals and stones, Bloomfield is a world leader in 3D printing and Decker works in sustainable materials. This chapter explores their shared understanding of materials and how they are used, the impact they have on the environment and a deliberate attempt to reduce waste, adopt sustainable practices and enhance the customer experience through hands-on engagement with their products.