Harle Paris was delighted to present a jewellery prize at the prestigious sixth Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition, held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall from 3–6 September 2026.
The international competition brought together emerging conducting talent from around the world, celebrating artistic development and musical interpretation. For Harle Paris, the partnership offered an opportunity to unite two forms of artistry through a shared appreciation of craftsmanship, collaboration and artistic expression.
Jewellery as storytelling and lasting recognition
Harle Paris founder, gemmologist and designer Anson Law presented a silver brooch set with a South Sea pearl as part of the competition’s awards.
The brooch features a South Sea pearl poised within an undulating branched motif. The design draws on themes of growth and artistic development. The natural formation of the pearl over time, together with the rhythmic, flowing form of the setting, gives the piece a sense of movement and emergence.
There is a natural parallel between conducting and fine jewellery. Much like a conductor brings together the individual voices of an orchestra, the creation of a fine jewellery piece brings together different materials, techniques and specialist skills in pursuit of a single creative vision. From the selection of gemstones and materials through to design and final craftsmanship, each piece is shaped through an ensemble of knowledge, interpretation and creative skill.
As a form of wearable art, jewellery also has an audience. It moves through the world with its wearer, and its character can shift with the light, the occasion and the individual who wears it. In this sense, jewellery has its own kind of resonance: it comes alive through the relationship between the piece and the person wearing it, making it particularly meaningful as a form of recognition.
The Harle Paris brooch presented in Birmingham was designed not only to mark an achievement, but to accompany its recipient beyond the ceremony and into the next stage of her professional journey.
A shared appreciation of beauty
First Prize winner Michal Oren described receiving the Harle Paris pearl brooch as an unexpected and significant moment.
“I was very happy to receive it, and in fact did not know it was part of the awards. It is a beautiful reminder to the wonderful experience I had in Birmingham.”
For Oren, the connection between music and jewellery also extends to the qualities they share as creative disciplines. Reflecting on the collaboration, she said:
“Both worlds express beauty and delicacy that make them special art forms.”
Oren also spoke about the importance of authenticity and collaboration in her approach to conducting:
“When it comes to music making I believe being honest and authentic to the orchestra and audience is crucial. I always try to create a collaborative environment during the rehearsals and to be sincere with the music that we perform.”
Her emphasis on authenticity and collaboration also reflects Harle Paris’s approach to jewellery, where creative vision and craftsmanship come together in pieces that express the individuality of the wearer.
Celebrating artistic development
The partnership between Harle Paris and the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition reflects a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, artistic growth and individual expression.
For Harle Paris, fine jewellery is not only about the finished object, but the knowledge, skill and creative process behind it. The competition similarly recognises the development of conductors as artists, celebrating not only technical ability but also the individual interpretation and artistic voice they bring to music.
This connection is particularly fitting for a competition named after Evgeny Svetlanov, whose legacy continues through an international platform supporting and recognising emerging conducting talent. For Harle Paris, this spirit of artistic development is particularly meaningful as the Maison continues to establish its own creative identity. Supporting moments that mark important stages in the development of artists is a natural expression of the values at the heart of the Maison.
For the First Prize winner, the jewellery prize marks a significant achievement. For Harle Paris, it offers an opportunity to express ideas of artistic growth through another medium, bringing together precious materials, craftsmanship and design in a lasting form of recognition.
Following her First Prize at the competition, Oren has begun her new role as Calleva Assistant Conductor with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The Harle Paris brooch will accompany her beyond the competition, carrying with it a personal connection to her experience in Birmingham.
The jewellery presented in Birmingham brings together many of the ideas at the heart of Harle Paris: craftsmanship, artistic expression and the ability of fine jewellery to become part of the wearer’s story.
Written by Joni Lane