Author: Raf Malanga

To illustrate the breadth of London Craft Week’s inaugural programme, which will comprise over 50 craft demonstrations across London from 6 to 10 May, Their Royal Highnesses were presented with ‘The Suit’, deconstructed to reveal the many elements of skill needed to create one item. Those who contributed include designer Patrick Grant, spinner and knitter Rachael Matthews, Savile Row tailor Kathryn Sargent, livery tailor Keith Levett from Henry Poole & Co, Daniel Harris, a weaver from London Cloth, and for the finishing touch, Hawthorn and Heany, who embroidered the maker’s label. The Prince of Wales then tried his own hand at pattern cutting.

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This May, The Crafted City will spring up from Bankside to house an array of informative and interactive events. This joint initiative, generously funded by Arts Council England, will centre around the construction of a purpose-built pavilion situated at Contemporary Applied Arts in the Borough of Southwark, an area renowned for its tin-glazed pottery, glass and leather tanning – materials which will be interwoven throughout both the making of the pavilion and the activities to which it will play host during the week.

This innovative and elegant pavilion will perfectly encapsulate the ethos of London Craft Week, offering an elegant and flexible space from which to showcase exemplary skills, whilst serving as a craft object in and of itself. Designed and made by leading local makers, working across a range of disciplines, The Crafted City will offer a flexible space for audiences to meet, talk, learn about and explore craft, whilst serving as a hub from which one can explore the week’s other activities dotted throughout the capital and highlighting the richness and diversity of London’s many creative neighbourhoods. London’s proud heritage as a continuing creative incubator will shine through all elements of the project and visitors will benefit from a dynamic and engaging programme of talks, demonstrations and making sessions.

Christine Lalumia, Executive Director of Contemporary Applied Arts added, “Our maker members are using ancient skills, many of which are in danger of being lost forever, and interpreting them in their own unique voice and in contemporary idiom. The results are often both stunning and thought-provoking.”

We are delighted that Cockpit Arts have decided to move its Spring Open Studios at Holborn to coincide with London Craft Week. Cockpit Arts is an award-winning social enterprise and the UK’s only craft business incubator; a benchmark for creative excellence, where emerging talent and established businesses are nurtured and helped to grow and succeed.

This is a rare opportunity for visitors to see behind the scenes, meet the 170 talented makers and buy beautifully crafted work direct from these independent designers.

Cockpit Arts Deptford Open Studios will also run between 15-17 May at 18-22 Creekside, London SE8 3DZ.