Rikke traveled to London with Queen Margrethe’s Jubilee Grant and received wide acclaim

Rikke Gjerluf Stentebjerg Christensen, a third-year Accessory Design student at Kolding School of Design, participated in the Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Fair “The Living Trace” in London from 21 to 23 November 2025 with support from Queen Margrethe’s Jubilee Grant. She exhibited three conceptual jewellery pieces created during her studies and was able to attend the entire event in person.

Rikke describes the experience as a significant professional boost:

- I gained a much deeper insight into the jewellery field and the conceptual jewellery world, she says. It expanded my understanding of what the field is and what it can be, and at the same time sharpened my curiosity for contemporary jewellery.

A particular conversation proved pivotal for her professional confidence:

- I am not a trained goldsmith and have at times been a little critical of my own craftsmanship, she explains. Another jewellery artist reminded me that our field should not be measured against traditional goldsmithing. In the conceptual jewellery world, it is the idea and the story that carry the piece. Hearing this from someone who is part of the field gave me enormous peace of mind and strengthened my belief in my own work.

On a personal level, the trip helped her gain clarity:

- The trip allowed me to be physically present and network with other exhibitors, curators, and visitors. Networking and presenting myself professionally made me braver, she says. I became especially aware of the types of pieces that speak most strongly to me – those that are realistic, emotionally charged, and provoke a response in the viewer.

Rikke received an overwhelmingly positive response to her work:

- Many highlighted how original and daring my pieces were. It made me realise that, even though I am still new to the field, my ideas and aesthetic have a real place. It filled me with inspiration and a desire to shape my own direction.

The London experience has also shaped her future plans. Rikke is now even more determined to continue to the Master’s programme at Kolding School of Design, to have time to explore both conceptual and realistic directions in her upcoming projects, including her bachelor project. She hopes to draw on her new international network in her further work and is considering visiting Schmuckmünchen 2026 to broaden her perspective further.

Queen Margrethe’s Jubilee Grant is a travel grant of up to 25,000 DKK awarded for stays outside Europe, relevant to accessory design. The grant can be used to participate in exhibitions, undertake educational trips, or explore accessory design in other cultures. It was established following a donation from Georg Jensen in 2022 to the Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik Foundation, which then transferred it to Kolding School of Design.