Category: News

As support to the LCW team, you will be first point of contact, and integral to the success of our small team. Working across various aspects of the company, including office management, event management, programming, marketing and communications and commercial, this role will give you an opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the planning of LCW 2017. You will also provide support to the COO and Chairman, responsible for scheduling external meetings with influencers and VIPs, taking notes, producing correspondence, and setting up travel itineraries.

The job is full on and requires excellent people skills, superb attention to detail to ensure that the administration support is first class, excellent phone manner and command of English and grammar for report and correspondence production.

Please supply a CV of no more than two pages and a covering letter explaining in no more than 500 words how your skills and experience match the requirements of this role. Electronic applications should be sent to Marieke Syed Marieke@londoncraftweek.com with both documents in one file named with your full name.

Start date ASAP. Closing date for applications 25 October 2016. Interviews on 27 October. Only applicants successful for interview will be contacted.

PA and Team Administrator-LCW- Job Spec.docx

We are looking for a dynamic and confident Communications Manager with relevant experience to lead in the delivery of all aspects of the LCW PR and Marketing campaign.

Communications Manager-LCW- Job Spec.pdf

Please supply a CV of no more than two pages and a covering letter explaining in no more than 500 words how your skills and experience match the requirements of this role. Electronic applications should be sent to Marieke@londoncraftweek.com with both documents in one file named with your full name.

Closing date for applications 30 September 2016.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 5th October, only succesful candidates for interview will be notified.

Second interviews will be held the following week.

This year we are welcoming proposals from brands and independant makers who would like to be part of London Craft Week. We aim to showcase the most outstanding and innovative contemporary making to affluent collectors and consumers alongside examples of exceptional creativity and craftsmanship from other areas of interest to this target group, such as fashion, design and architecture. Our editorial board meets every two weeks to consider initial ideas. Please send a paragraph outlining your proposed activity, details about your career and previous work plus 2 images to info@londoncraftweek.com. The deadline for programme applications is August 30th. We’ll respond to all applications by September 15th. See below for details of our fees.

Programme Partner Rates.pdf

Growing sophistication rather than raw wealth is becoming the main driver of how people consume, shifting luxury spending to craft or brands with craft credentials, argues Guy Salter.

Over the last twenty years I’ve learnt to my cost that there are two words that have to be used with extreme caution. The first, “luxury,” evokes wide-ranging responses from blue-blooded brands, indignantly disputing the right of others to use it, to lobbyists urging alternatives such as “high-end industries” to avoid offending the egalitarian sensitivities of European politicians. In a similar way, claims on “craft” and its positive associations are raising the blood pressure of artisans who feel it is being over-used or misappropriated. For others, it smacks too much of the happy amateur.

All this semantic skirmishing came to a head for me last year when I launched London Craft Week (LCW). There was much heated discussion about whether it was better to avoid the craft word altogether and substitute “métiers d’art,”qualify it as “artistic craft” or even bring the two tricky words together, as in “Luxury Craft Week.”  Other debates rage about whether craft is art. And should contemporary craft matter more than heritage craft? Is there a craft movement? And if so, how far has it moved and where is it moving to? Can 3D printing be called “making,” and much more besides.

While all this angst is a bit silly, what’s driving it isn’t. There is something significant at stake. There is a real desire to defend, describe and promote genuine quality and celebrate that most magical but elusive of attributes, creativity.

And while its the brand owners, makers and artists who are most passionate and vociferous, the group for whom it should matter most, those who buy and collect, are pretty sanguine about what things are called. They are, however, deeply interested in what makes something the best and, as consumers, are ever more knowledgeable and questioning. Gone are the days when a distinctive logo, the shop-as-retail temple or well-connected gallerists was enough.

The well-travelled consumer sees the same famous names in similar shopping streets and has a growing interest in the local and non-branded.

In 2005, I christened this phenomenon the “discernment curve,” suggesting that growing sophistication rather than raw wealth would become the main driver of how people spend and on what. This has largely come to pass, even in faster-growing markets, driven by access to information and opinion online.

The well informed and travelled consumer is feeling a creeping ennui, seeing the same famous names in similar smart shopping streets and has a growing interest in the local, independent and non-branded.

It was with this person in mind that I founded LCW. The demand is there, but there’s no clear road map in this brave new “beyond luxury” world. Just because something is handmade doesn’t necessarily mean it is better. Buying from an independent maker or small shop can feel like going dangerously off-piste: who’s who? What’s the process? Is the price fair?  And commissioning something from scratch, while very rewarding when it goes well, can seem daunting. As a result, most of us still default to buying something off the shelf.

Consumers need to experience “craft” not just as static objects or as brand-led “fashion,” “luxury design” or “art,” but must also understand the full context in which they were made, why they are special, and meet the creators and see their remarkable skills up close.

It is the customer who matters and they are, as I always hoped they would, now voting with their wallets. Indeed, with homes bursting with stuff, increasingly, we don’t spend on things, but special moments with our loved ones. If I had to pick one word to capture this zeitgeist, it’s neither “luxury” or “craft,” but “patronage.” At its best, this more discerning spending is not only enriching our lives, but also supporting a much wider ecosystem of talent and ensuring endangered skills survive.

Guy Salter is the chairman of London Craft Week.

We are thrilled that London Craft Week Chairman, Guy Salter, has been awarded an OBE in the Queens Birthday Honours.

London Craft Week is hiring a Programme Manager to plan, coordinate and deliver London Craft Week 2017 programme of events.
Contract:  This is a 1 year contract starting 1st July 2016 until end of June 2017, with possibility of extension. 1 month probationary period. Freelance contract with possibility of it going to PAYE in near future.

Location: Central London

Reports to: COO

Job purpose: To plan, coordinate and deliver London Craft Week 2017 programme of events.

Salary and Hours: Hours of work will vary according to current priorities, but generally will be 40 hours per week to be carried out Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm. Additional hours may be required as necessary for the successful performance of the job, especially in the build up to the week. No overtime rate will apply. Salary of £35,000.

About London Craft Week 2017

From 3 – 7 May 2017 the third edition will continue to showcase exceptional craftsmanship from around the world through a journey-of-discovery programme of over 200 events across the city, featuring hidden workshops and unknown makers alongside celebrated masters, famous studios, galleries, shops and luxury brands. The aim being to experience the magic of true creativity, see what real quality means, meet some of the world’s most respected makers and artists and even have a try.

London Craft Week is independent, not-for-profit and supported by founding partner Vacheron Constantin.

Statistics

2015 programme- over 60 events

2016 programme- over 130 events

2017 programme- planning for over 200 events

About this role

We are looking for a dynamic and confident individual to be responsible for the delivery of LCW 2017 programme as well as additional events as necessary. The role has a variety of functions including event management, administrative and logistical functions, as well as creative or development opportunities for the right candidate. Responsibilities will include event production and management, volunteer recruitment and scheduling and website management.

The post-holder will be tasked with a number of changing responsibilities and will work with flexibility, energy and commitment. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in the work of London Craft Week, and in the luxury, arts and culture sectors more broadly.

Key responsibilities

To work with the Executive Chairman, COO and Content Director to execute a balanced programme in line with the ambitions laid out in the vision.

To manage and be the main point of contact for all programme partners for both the public and collectors programme.

To ensure that all programme events meet the vision and criteria of LCW.

Agreeing and raising contracts for each partner.

Supporting partners with event planning and logistical advice when necessary.

Planning the schedule of events, agreeing dates and times with partners.

Responsibility for keeping the programme matrix spreadsheet up to date.

Working with the COO to monitor the budget for income generation through ticket sales and programme fees and to agree ticket costs accordingly.

To gather all detail, images and text from programme partners for the website and guide.

Work with the editor for the printed programme guide, being the main point of call for the content publication of the guide.

Responsibility for the programme pages of the website, ensuring all events are uploaded to the agreed deadline.

To manage the execution of the collectors programme of events, agreeing event details and supporting in delivery where necessary.

To co-ordinate editorial board meetings.

Volunteer management, including recruiting, communicating with, scheduling shifts for and managing a team of around 10 volunteers.

To manage the Programme Coordinator and oversee their workload.

To contribute to press and marketing work as required.

To contribute to evaluations and reporting to stakeholders and funders as required.

Ensure all partner details are logged on the CRM.

To ensure all risk and insurance documentation for each partner is up to date and compliant.

Event management during the week itself, hosting events where necessary.

Work on key associated projects LCW does which may fall outside of the May week.

Representing LCW as a senior member of the team where necessary

This job description is not exhaustive. The post-holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties, which may have to be varied subject to the needs of the organisation, and in keeping with the general profile of this post.

Essential skills and experience:

At least 3 years management experience with a track record in a similar event/festival environment with knowledge of event management process including; production, logistics, H&S, database management (pref salesforce)

An understanding and commitment to the vision and work of London Craft Week and a passion to play a key role in shaping and achieving the company’s success

A keen organisational sense with meticulous attention to detail

Ability to think and communicate clearly and solve problems effectively under pressure

Great interpersonal skills

Strong commercial awareness

Confidence communicating and working with people from a range of backgrounds and fields, within and outside the luxury sector

Microsoft Office competent

Good time management and the ability to work to deadlines and stay calm under pressure

Ability to balance a shifting work load even when time is short

Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to tailor writing for various purposes and to speak confidently and with authority to large groups of people

Flexibility to work on different projects and to work occasional evenings and weekends

Strong commitment to customer service

A focus on delivery with the ability to turn ideas into action.

To Apply

Please supply a CV of no more than two pages and a covering letter explaining in no more than 500 words how your skills and experience match the requirements of this role. Electronic applications should be sent to Tamsin Casswell at Tamsin@londoncraftweek.com with both documents in one file named with your full name.

Closing date for applications: 10 June

1st Interviews to be held:  15 June

2nd Interview to be held week of: 20 June

Each week we will share the trending events and advice from our friends. This is the first instalment and although primarily for those interested in fashion, film, theatre or jewellery there is also much else besides.

Fashion

The Making Behind Fashion at Selfridges

Hussein Chalayan & Alice Temperley discuss the use of craft techniques in fashion.

Thu 5 May, 6.30–8.00pm, 30 places £30 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Edwina Ibbotson and Rachel Trevor Morgan at the Dorchester

Tea, talk and hats on view with Milliners Edwina & Rachel Trevor Morgan

Wed 4 May, 3.00–4.00pm, 20 places, £30 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Theatre and Film

Making Shakespeare’s Globe

A tour of the famous reconstruction with a focus on craftsmanship.

Thu 5 May, 10.45am, 25 places, £20 + vat

More information | Book tickets

The Making of Film: Game of Thrones & King Arthur

BAFTA winner Angels open up their costume workshops and warehouse.

Wed 4 May, 11.00am–1.30pm, 30 places, £20 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Jewellery

Leo de Vroomen and Joanna Hardy on Jewellery

A discussion on jewellery trends, what pieces stand the test of time, as well as how to wear jewellery.

Wed 4 May, 6.00–7.00pm, 15 places, £20 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Concept to Creation with Stephen Webster

Stephen Webster opens his new boutique to showcase recent designs and talk about the creative process. Champagne reception.

Wed 4 May, 6.00–7.00pm, 20 places, £30 + vat

More information | Book tickets

The Ring with Elizabeth Gage

Join Elizabeth Gage at her salon in Belgravia for a glass of champagne as she talks about ‘The Ring’

Wed 4 May, 6.00–7.00pm, 8 places, £20 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Behind the Scenes Tours and Demonstrations:

Barware at Asprey

Asprey’s Homeware designer Hakan Rosenius showcases a new collection of barware and cocktail shakers that inspired a new London Craft Week champagne. See the workshops and try the new cocktail.

Wed 3 May, 2.30-16.00, 25 places, £30 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Diamond Polishing and Cutting at Backes & Strauss

A rare opportunity to gain an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the high-skill-intensive processes that transform the hardest natural material into a polished gem.

Wed 4, Thu 5 & Fri 6 May, 3.00pm, 10 places, £15 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Crafting Japan at Dartmouth House    

Four of Japan’s treasured cultural traditions are brought to London for the week, including Yamamotoyama who performs a tea ceremony, Kiya who demonstrates knife-sharpening, Ibasen who provides a display of fans, and Haibara who crafts Japanese Paper.

Thu 5 May, 11am and 4pm, 30 spaces, £20 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Workshops

Candle Chandlery with Rachel Vosper

This candle-making course with Rachel Vosper covers the history of candle chandlery and the basic skills needed to create a bespoke candle.

Thu 5 & Fri 6 May, 3.00pm, 8 places, £30 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Mixing a Scent at Ormonde Jayne

Join a master class in creating your own perfume to take home in a hand blown falcon.

Tue 3 May, 3.00pm, 6 people, £35 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Buy Bespoke or Commission:

How to Buy: The Bespoke Suit on Savile Row

Andy Barnham and Rupert Watkins, from Riddle magazine, lead a tour around Savile Row.

Wed 4 & Thu 5 May, 11.00am, 12 places, £20 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Sebastian Tarek Open Studio

Join specialist shoemaker Sebastian Tarek in his East End workshop to learn about the complete process of commissioning a pair of shoes

Sat 7 May, 11.00am, 8 places, £8 + vat

More information | Book tickets

Did you host or take part in London Craft Week 2016? Remember to fill in your partner survey. The feedback helps us develop the programme for 2017 and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a complimentary lunch for 2 at The Grill at The Dorchester Hotel.