Creative Links: Alice Cicolini in conversation with Liz Olver

We are excited to welcome inspirational designer and creative commissioner Alice Cicolini, whose Silk-Route inspired jewellery retails in Liberty, Twist, Dover Street Market, Auverture, as well as a range of independent stores in the UK, Europe, the USA and Japan, in-conversation with jewellery consultant Liz Olver.

They will discuss Alice's journey into jewellery, after a 10-year stint as a designer curator and producer at Tom Dixon. They will explore how she founded and grew her businesses, developed an international team of highly skilled craftspeople to support the production of her work, and sourced wholesalers who fitted with the identity of her brand and ethos.

At the beginning of the event there will be the opportunity to network and talk to peers, and after the conversation Alice and Liz will be pleased to answer your questions.

Alice Cicolini is a designer and creative commissioner, curator of several international touring exhibitions on design and a published author, including a book on contemporary British dandyism, The New English Dandy, for Thames & Hudson. She is a Research Associate at Central St Martins, where she graduated in 2009 with a Masters in Jewellery Design. Formerly Director Arts & Culture for the British Council in India, she remains closely involved with Indian craft and design.

Alice has exhibited at the V&A, Sotheby's and Homo Faber. She has collaborated with Carpenters Workshop Jewellery and CAST, as well as Peter Ting and heritage British pearl company Winterson. Alice was part of the British Fashion Council’s celebrated Rock Vaults initiative, curated by Stephen Webster, from 2012-2015. Her work has been featured by Joanna Hardy (Masters of Modern Jewellery), Carol Woolton (Drawing Jewels for Fashion), Olivier Dupon (The New Jewellers) and Melanie Grant (Coveted). A chapter of Kyle Roderick’s book for Rizzoli (Bejewelled: The World of Ethical Jewelry) has been dedicated to Alice’s appreciation for and dedication to the sustainability of artisanal skill.

Alice Cicolini is available at Liberty, Twist, Dover Street Market, Auverture and a select list of inspirational independent stores across the US, Japan and Europe.

Liz Olver, a seasoned professional in the luxury jewellery industry, boasts a well-established track record in design and product development. Her additional expertise as a mentor, writer, and educator enables her to adeptly navigate both creative and commercial realms.

Formerly a Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Jewellery Design course at Central Saint Martins, Liz transitioned to the De Beers group in 2003. There, she assumed the role of Manager of Product Development before contributing her design talents to Links of London. In 2008, Liz joined Annoushka as Design Director, embarking on an impactful journey where she served as Head of Design and the lead in Product Development. Over 12 years, she dedicated herself to collaboratively realising the brand's vision from both developmental and design perspectives. Subsequently, Liz moved from Annoushka to join the now-closed bespoke fine jewellery brand Vashi, where she excelled as the Director of Product Design.

A distinguished alumna of the Royal College of Art, Central Saint Martins, and the University of the Arts London, Liz holds the esteemed title of Liveryman with the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Additionally, she is the bestselling author of three internationally recognized publications: The Art of Jewellery Design, Jewellery Making Techniques and The Jeweller’s Directory of Shape and Form.