Author: Holly Morris

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.

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.

Highlights from the London Craft Week team:

Tamsin – I enjoyed rediscovering the ceramics galleries on my way to the Wedgwood demonstrations where I watched with interest the mesmerising potters wheel. I then went to Barnard & Westwood where I met experts in their field and learnt how some of the most beautiful logos can be printed in eight layers with eight different plates.

Philippa: First stop was the V&A to see Julian Stair who was laying out and preparing the most extraordinary ancient and modern pots for his inspection session. Next onto Linley for a talk and party with Michael Eden and David Linley. It was fascinating to learn about their use of traditional and innovative skills to design and make classically balanced but cutting edge pieces. The day ended with a dinner at Spring hosted by chef Skye Gyngell. Collectors and experts collected together by Yvonna from Flow Gallery listened to makers Daniel Smith, Billy Lloyd, Cristina Vezzini and Valerina Nascimento talking about their work and enjoyed eating Skye’s amazing food from plates commissioned especially for the event. I hope we can repeat his event next year!

 

James Sherwood selects his top four events

Making Behind The Royal Opera House

Every costume, wig, jewel and accessory worn on the Royal Opera House stage is made in workshops perched on top of the building. The craftsmen and women who make Tosca’s ball gowns, the White Rabbit’s waistcoats and the Queen of the Night’s diadem are world class. They bring to life the vision of the world’s greatest costume designers, they can work for opera or ballet and they have the technical skill to make masterpieces with stage presence that also perform. The opportunity to enter this wonderland and see it at work will be a privilege and a pleasure.

Tiara Making at Bentley & Skinner

Bentley & Skinner’s Piccadilly windows display a history of fine jewellery including masterpieces by Fabergé, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. But it is the tiaras that stop traffic. With the opportunity to wear a tiara ever diminishing, a shop that still puts these diamond and platinum pieces of heaven in the window encourages London to dream. I cannot think of a more enchanted evening than the invitation from Bentley & Skinner to watch a masterclass in making the most precious piece of jewellery that a woman can wear. As Anita Loose’s heroine Lorelei Lee would say, ‘I just love finding new places to wear diamonds’.

The Bespoke Shirt at Turnbull & Asser

Turnbull & Asser has crafted bespoke shirts for everyone from Cecil Beaton, Winston Churchill and Sir Alec Guinness to Terence Stamp, Michael Caine and Daniel Craig. The firm’s shirts have also been worn by fashion queens Katherine Hepburn, Bianca Jagger and Diana, Princess of Wales. Whereas a bespoke suit can be ripped, smoothed and improved over several fittings, a bespoke shirt has to be spot-on for the first fitting. Cutting bespoke shirts is an exact science. The opportunity to spend an evening with T&A bespoke director Steven Quin and a glass of Churchill’s favourite Pol Roger for a masterclass in the art of the bespoke shirt is not to be missed.

The Dinner Suit at Henry Poole

In 1865, founding father of Savile Row Henry Poole cut the prototype dinner jacket for the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) to wear for informal dinners at Sandringham. The dinner jacket is now the most formal garment an Englishman is likely to wear as evening dress. An evening in the company of Henry Poole’s Livery Department head Keith Levett and cutter Tom Pendry is at the top of my list for Craft Week not least because I will be at No. 15 Savile Row to show guests the historic ledgers in the new Archive Room including that first order by HRH in 1865 for the first dinner jacket.

Grayson Perry selects his top three events:

Bike Making at the Design Museum

Bikes are one of my passions and in the past I have embellished some of my rides (in particular for my bear, Alan Measles’, trip across Bavaria on a highly decorated Kenilworth AM1 motorcycle). This would be a great way to pick up some tips.

Social Fabric at The William Morris Gallery

I use fabric and textiles in a lot of my work and feel we are lucky to have such a wonderful resource in The William Morris Gallery. African textiles have also been a rich source of inspiration – so two reasons to head to East 17.

How to Buy: The Bespoke Suit on Savile Row

It would be interesting to investigate the tiny amount of wriggle room that men are allowed…!

Jewellery is being represented this year at London Craft Week by some of the leading craftsmen and designers that London and individuals from further afield has to offer.

Jewellery has been tainted with global marketing and mass production over the years which has overshadowed good jewellery made by our best craftsmen as a consequence. People have become more comfortable buying jewellery that looks similar rather than choosing a jewel for unique design and good craftsmanship. Jewellery is worn, it is very visual and just like the art collector, a discerning eye and an appreciation for originality is required to make a purchase that will be enjoyed and importantly will stand the test of time. The unique jewellery events during London Craft Week are a wonderful opportunity to hear from top designers and makers about what goes into making a good quality piece of jewellery. The skill of the goldsmith is in danger of being left to the history books and so its survival relies on people understanding, appreciating and ultimately demanding jewellery that has been beautifully handmade by a craftsmen, there is something quite special and magical in wearing a jewel knowing that there is not another one like it.

Philip Treacy selects his top four events

Wedgwood at the V&A

I am a craftsman myself so to have an opportunity to experience others time, care and excellence is a very exciting prospect. Wedgwood is one of the great British brands in ceramics so to see the process first hand will be fascinating.

Saddlery with the King’s Troop

I love horses and riding so to see a military saddle being made is a rare and unusual prospect.

Making behind the Royal Opera House – Lighting

Lighting is so important, I use it for my shows and there are no greater shows than those staged at the Royal Opera House.

Wang Dongling at the British Museum

I love calligraphy and to see Wang Dongling, a master of his craft at work…. need I say more? It’s a truly wonderful week to celebrate and showcase craftsmen and women from around the world.