London, April 24, 2018. London-based pearl jewelry brand Yoko London has named Camille Combremont as the winner of its first-ever Young Pearls Design Competition, organized in collaboration with – HEAD Genève University. The new annual project aims to change the perception of pearl jewelry from being only classic and traditional to innovative, contemporary, and on trend.

Yoko London gave second-year students at the university the opportunity to create three designs. Students were tasked with performing market research and creating mood boards, and they were encouraged to revisit classic designs from a fresh perspective. Ultimately, they developed a final prototype with color renderings and pearls supplied by the brand.

Winning piece made by student Camille Combremont as part of the first-ever Young Pearls Design Competition, organized in collaboration with Yoko London and – HEAD Genève University

The winning design was chosen on April 17 by a panel of pearl jewelry and design experts including Michael Hakimian, CEO of Yoko London; Melanie Georgacopoulos, jewelry designer; Fabrice Schaefer, professor; and Tiffany Baehler, designer and professor. The winning submission, a bracelet in sterling silver with Tahitian, South Sea, and freshwater pearls, has a link motif that will form the basis of a capsule collection to be manufactured by Yoko London. The piece will be on display at new trade show Gem Genève in Geneva, taking place May 2018. 

“At Yoko London we keep innovation at the heart of all of our jewelry, and so we are delighted to be working with – HEAD Genève on this design competition and to be supporting the next generation of fine pearl jewelry makers like Camille,” explained Hakimian to the press.

Judges of the first-ever Young Pearls Design Competition, organized in collaboration with Yoko London and – HEAD Genève University