Highlights of Day 2: Wednesday 4 May
The London Craft Week Team Selects
Marieke Syed, Operations: Amazing to walk past Holland and Holland and see QEST makers working in their window. Lots of tourists walking by and then popping in to find out more. Next up was LOEWE to take a quick peek at the installation of Ramon Puig Cuyas’ exhibition. Each box that accompanies his jewellery pieces is hand painted with an image of the work. I was wowed by the gold room at The Dorchester, and the array of wonderful beautiful hats on display by Rachel Trevor Morgan and Edwina Ibbotson but jealous that I couldn’t stay long enough to try some on!
Daphne Vassiliades, Partnerships: Elizabeth Gage is larger than life, with such an exuberant personality. It was a treat to meet her and to hear about her passion for design – plus we got to try on so many of her fabulous pieces. The workshops at Asprey on Bond Street feel like a piece of history tucked away in a busy modern city. Having a sneak peek behind the scenes, meeting the makers and their apprentices and being given a tour of the silver, jewellery and leather workshops was a privilege. It was fascinating to learn about the conversion of technology and artisanship when it comes to cutting and polishing a diamond at Backes & Strauss, and how this will affect the future of the craft. The Taylor Howes interior design practice in Knightsbridge is filled with stunning treasures by talents who blur the lines between architecture, art and design. It was really beautiful to see, and great to meet some of them in person and hear about their inspiration and how they try to balance their own aesthetic with a client commission.
