About

Discover hidden techniques and little-known processes in the Bloomsbury studios of two award-winning contemporary craftspeople.

Meet embroiderer Kamilah Ahmed and woodcarver Clunie Fretton in an intimate visit hosted by Cockpit CEO Annie Warburton. In the company of an exclusive group of craft enthusiasts, enjoy demonstrations of craft skill and converse with artists who put a contemporary twist on traditional forms.

In 2021, textile artist Kamilah Ahmed was announced as the inaugural winner of The New Craftsmen Award. With a background in couture embroidery for fashion houses including McQueen, Christian Dior and Valentino, Kamilah’s recent focus has been on creating statement textiles for interior spaces. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to textiles, inspired by traditional Bengali Jamdani muslin sari weaving, which combines simultaneous weaving with hand embroidery on the loom.

Clunie Fretton, a classically trained sculptor and carver, is the recipient of The Newby Trust Award. In 2021, to mark Grinling Gibbons’ tercentary, Clunie collaborated with the V&A to produce a partial replica of Gibbon’s famous lace cravat. Meticulously working a fresh block of limewood with razor-sharp chisels, she reproduced the complex form of the cravat, along with the astonishing detail of its opulent needle lace.

Cockpit is home to some of the most exciting makers in the world. Spanning every kind of craft, Cockpit’s makers are united by their extraordinary skill and imagination. Cockpit stands for the transformative power of craft to shape a better world. The organisation has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in contemporary craft: it is the place to discover the stars of the future. An ardent champion of social justice, Cockpit’s awards offer talented makers bespoke business mentoring and a place in Cockpit’s legendary creative community.

Find out more about Cockpit and their makers at cockpitstudios.org.

Sponsorship generously provided by Champagne Gosset.