On the 16th October Winston Churchill School Technology Department hosted our first master class in design inviting the world class jewellery designer Theo Fennell in to speak to students. Theo’s style of jewellery is very different to the average jewellery piece sourcing precious gem stones from around the world combining with beautifully engraved and enamelled metals to design masterworks inspired by history, nature, buildings and symbolism. Theo’s designs are highly sort after appealing to stars such as Elton John, Lewis Hamilton, the Beckham’s and many more.
Our aim of the day was to inspire the students to see where their GCSE’s in creative subjects in technology and art could take them in the future. Theo first gave a talk to 125 of our year 9, 10 and 11 technology, art and media students, he gave insight to the students about how his career has grown from the age of the students to now, how he got into jewellery and the challenges of starting his own business and how it had grown to be worldwide. At the end the students got to see some of his pieces for real to see the detail that goes into each part of the work.
Then 22 competition winners who gained their place by designing a piece of jewellery inspired by Theo’s work came to the technology block for a drawing workshop. Where first Theo showed the class his sketchbooks and portfolio of work seeing where his designs start off as a spark of inspiration to a completed masterpiece. Then it was the students turn to get to work developing their designs that got them the place in the workshop with Theo offering each of them guidance and advice on how to improve the work and their drawing skills.
This day has now inspired students work across the year groups, some considering talking up jewellery and design courses once they leave Winston Churchill School.
Miss Blackman, Technology Department: Resistant Materials
Let’s see what they have to say…
‘I enjoyed the brainstorming of ideas with Theo cutting between us giving advice on how to get as many ideas from the inspiration around us. Seeing his inspiration books that he carries around really showed me how anything can become inspiration for a piece of artwork/jewellery.’
Adam Gardiner Year 10 Resistant Materials Student
‘The day was brilliant; it showed me what I can do if I put my mind to it. Theo Fennel is a genius; he is unique, and definitely very talented! He has inspired me to think up my own jewellery designs, so I am very grateful as I know are the rest of the people who took part.’
Robyn Hartwell Year 9 Technology Student
I enjoyed getting helped by Theo during the drawing part. I was inspired by a lot of his work with the attention to detail. I learnt about how he gets ideas for his work. Over all a very inspiring day.
Joe Cross Year 10 Resistant Materials Student
Here is an account of the day by one of our year 9 students:
My Day with Theo Fennell by Naomi Ehigie
