Sunday, 11 May 2025

Crafts and Arts: London Craft Week 2025 Opens May 12th: A Global Celebration of Creativity

London Craft Week (LCW)  returns on May 12, 2025, bringing together over 1,000 established and emerging makers, designers, brands, and galleries from across the globe. With a sharp focus on substance over status, this year’s festival presents a curated showcase that prizes authenticity, skill, and a touch of magic—the spark that elevates craft to art.

As always, LCW offers a unique opportunity to experience craft not only as an aesthetic pursuit but as a cultural force—one that connects tradition, innovation, and global perspectives.

The headline event for 2025 is Homo Faber, presented by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, a non-profit institution based in Switzerland, which champions contemporary craftspeople worldwide with the aim of promoting a more human, inclusive and sustainable future.

More than just an exhibition, Homo Faber is an international cultural movement dedicated to championing master artisans and nurturing the next generation of craftspeople. Through a combination of education programmes, a biennial celebration, and an engaging digital platform, Homo Faber honours the diversity of craftsmanship and the evolving stories of makers, materials, and techniques around the world.

Battersea Power Station - Where Angels Live

London Craft Week and FiredUp4 present the second edition of Secret Ceramics, making its debut at Christie’s London.

This unique exhibition and sale features over 100 ceramic vessels created by both leading and emerging artists—all offered anonymously. Buyers won’t discover the maker’s identity until after their purchase, adding an element of intrigue and discovery.  Featured celebrated artists icludes Claudia Rankin, Hitomi Hosono, Bouke de Vries, Freya Bramble Carter, Kate Malone, Gregory Tingay, and Sophie Wilson, among others

All works are sold at a fixed price, with proceeds supporting the annual running costs of four FiredUp4 ceramic studios across London. These studios provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with meaningful access to clay, creativity, and community.

For the first time, London Craft Week will take over No. 9 Cork Street with a curated series of exhibitions that reimagine heritage craft through the lens of contemporary art and design.

This specially selected programme showcases exceptional material intelligence and creative collaboration. Highlights include a group presentation by Béton Brut, featuring works by Grace Prince and David Horan’s innovative ‘vegan vellum’ pieces.

A striking collaboration between marbling artist Nat Maks and furniture maker Sebastian Cox will explore the ancient Japanese technique of Suminagashi, transforming it into a series of contemporary tables.

Other standout installations spotlight leading studios and makers such as YALI Glass, AOI, Bocci, and Brodie Neill Studio, working with materials including straw marquetry, hand-blown glass, and reclaimed timber.

Louis Vuitton - The Craftsmanship of the Capucines Bag - will be featured on Sloane Street

Sloane Street Series: The Art of Craftsmanship

One of London’s most prestigious addresses, Sloane Street—a verdant boulevard lined with flagship boutiques, world-class restaurants, and luxury hotels—has recently undergone a £46 million transformation.  As part of London Craft Week, the newly revitalised Sloane Street becomes the setting for a curated journey into the world of exceptional craftsmanship. From the meticulous attention to detail in the new streetscape to the artisanal mastery behind the world’s most iconic luxury houses, visitors are invited to explore the art behind the craft.

Highlights include a behind-the-scenes, architect-led tour of the street’s transformation; live demonstrations at Ferragamo, showcasing refined Italian shoemaking techniques; an evening celebrating diamond craftsmanship at Jessica McCormack; an exploration of Gucci’s silk artistry legacy; and a look at the heritage of FENDI’s Selleria leatherwork; plus more from Louis Vuitton, Emilia Wickstead, Temperley London, L’Objet, …At Sloane and others.  

The Malaysia Handicraft Development Corporation presents "Virtuosity of Craftwork:
Masterpieces of National Heritage Crafts." 

The Pimlico Road Series: A Celebration of Craft and Creativity

Renowned for its timeless elegance and creative spirit, the Pimlico Road Design District brings together a fraternity of world-class artisans, makers, and curators. Nestled in Belgravia—just a short stroll from Chelsea, Victoria, and Knightsbridge—Pimlico Road has long been a go-to destination for discerning designers and collectors, offering a rich tapestry of interiors, antiques, and contemporary craft.  This year’s Pimlico Road Series shines a spotlight on the district’s vibrant community of talent, from sculptors and woodworkers to embroiderers, textile artists, and crystal specialists. It’s a melting pot of inspiration, where tradition and innovation meet.  The programme highlights include a hands-on block printing workshop at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint; a behind-the-scenes look at custom cushion and lampshade making at Robert Kime; an artisan-focused exhibition at Cox London, celebrating handcrafted excellence, a special event at Collier Webb, marking 100 years of Art Deco, and the debut of new lighting collections from Ochre and Soane Britain.

International Pavilion: Thailand at the Royal Thai Embassy

A highlight of this year’s programme is the International Pavilion: Thailand, hosted at the Royal Thai Embassy in London, presenting the exhibition "Chud Thai Through the Ages: Weaving History, Craft, and Identity".

Marking the 170th anniversary of Thailand–UK diplomatic relations, this captivating showcase explores the evolution of Thai dress as a reflection of cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and national identity.

At its heart is an extraordinary display from Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari’s private costume collection, featuring both traditional Thai national costumes and contemporary fashion pieces, offering a rare glimpse into Thailand’s rich textile traditions through the lens of royal patronage and modern design.

Also not to be missed are International Pavilions of  Saudi Arabia, South Korea, China and Malaysia.

Also featured on the programme is Battersea Power Station, one of London’s most dynamic cultural and lifestyle destinations, drawing over 26 million visitors since opening to the public in 2022. Recognised by National Geographic as one of the “Top 20 Best Cultural Hotspots” in the world, the riverside neighbourhood now hosts more than 150 shops, bars, restaurants, and leisure attractions, alongside a vibrant year-round events calendar that includes the Light Festival, celebrASIA, and Christmas at Battersea Power Station.

For London Craft Week 2025, Battersea Power Station continues its commitment to accessible art and culture with Modern Masters—a public realm programme created in partnership with cultural placemaking agency New Public. Now in its second year, this free outdoor art series spotlights the craftsmanship and innovation behind contemporary art. This year’s featured artist is filmmaker and multimedia visual artist Charlotte Colbert, whose monumental installations Dreamland Sirens and Where Angels Live will be exhibited in the historic turbine halls from 23 April to 1 June. Exploring themes of identity, dreams, and self-reflection, Colbert’s surreal works resonate with the spirit of Radiant Reflections, the Power Station’s Spring/Summer 2025 fashion campaign celebrating body positivity and inner beauty.

For more information on the programme, click HERE.

All images from London Craft Week website.

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