Craft and Sustainability: Repurpose, reuse adnd repair craftsmanship showcased at Selfridges during London Craft Week

Selfridges’ new permanent RESELFRIDGES destination in the Accessories Hall at its London Oxford Street location offers a unique opportunity to explore unusual gifts, keepsakes, and collectables. During London Craft Week, visitors can witness artisans, makers, and innovators using creativity and craftsmanship to repurpose, reuse, and repair unwanted items and waste materials.

Throughout the week, May 13 - 19 2024, visitors can purchase a select range of unique pieces and observe demonstrations of specialist craft techniques and innovative new methods of making.

Emily Frances Barrett

One featured artist is Emily Frances Barrett, a jeweller who transforms lost or found objects into beautiful multidisciplinary jewellery and art pieces. 

Emily Frances Barrett

Emma works with discarded treasures, whose scars reveal glimpses into the past, finding beauty in everything from forgotten jewels to discarded buttons.

WYP PYM

WYP PYM - Waste Yarn Project with Celia Pym - is a collaboration between Siri Johansen, co-founder of the Waste Yarn Project, and textile artist Celia Pym. They explore playful, resourceful design and celebrate slow craft through handmade knitted clothing and accessories.

Allday Goods is a kitchen knife company that repurposes plastic waste destined for landfills into lifelong products. Their mission is to raise awareness and encourage a rethink of our relationship with waste.

Tessa Silva

British-Brazilian artist Tessa Silva examines the impact of material use on society by creating delicate, one-of-a-kind art objects from milk proteins.

Inspired by the medieval history of her hometown, London, Ciara Bowles combines ancient techniques with vibrant colors to create timeless jewellery pieces. Her work emphasizes ethical production and craftsmanship using reclaimed and recycled materials.

Blast Studio

Blast Studio, based in London, excels in transforming leftover coffee cups into futuristic furniture and architecture. They use 3D printing technology to turn discarded waste into sustainable furniture and interior products, such as lampshades and containers.

Anabela Chan, a fine jeweller, champions laboratory-grown gemstones, blending sculptural designs with science, and Lucie Gledhill creates unique jewellery from recycled metals using traditional techniques and chain-making, exploring material relationships through low-tech design approaches and a slow creation process.

Finally, the King’s Foundation offers specialist training programmes in heritage and craft skills. At Selfridges, shirts donated by Turnbull and Asser were embroidered by graduates using expert embroidery techniques.

Photos by Lucia Carpio

Craft and Culture: Kuwait's Sadu heritage and craft highlighted through contemporary designs at London Craft Week 2024

Despite the pressures of modernity, Sadu culture remains a vibrant part of Kuwait’s cultural landscape. Modern designers and artists draw inspiration from traditional Sadu patterns, incorporating them into contemporary art, fashion, and design.

This fusion of old and new ensures that the rich heritage of Sadu continues to evolve while maintaining its historical essence. This is evident in this week's London Craft Week, hosted by the Kuwait Embassy in London, under the title "Beyond the Loom: Contemporary Sadu Expressions." The event, held under the auspices of the Al Sadu Society, highlights the society's recent efforts to preserve this cultural heritage of Kuwait.

The Sadu culture in Kuwait is deeply rooted in the Bedouin traditions of the Arabian Peninsula. "Sadu" weaving is practiced by the Bedouin tribes, where portable and practical items were essential for a nomadic way of life.  Sadu is particularly known for its vibrant geometric patterns and the use of camel and goat hair. 

Seetah Al-Marni presents Sadu Scarfs each measures 325 x 31 cm boosting striking Sadu patterns. 

Further research has revealed that the Sadu culture in Kuwait is deeply rooted in the Bedouin traditions of the Arabian Peninsula. The term "Sadu" refers to a traditional form of weaving practiced by the nomadic Bedouin tribes, particularly known for its vibrant geometric patterns and the use of camel and goat hair. This cultural heritage plays a significant role in the social and economic life of Bedouins and has been preserved and celebrated in Kuwait.

In 2011, the traditional weaving of Al Sadu was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This recognition highlights the importance of the craft and the need to preserve it in the face of modernization.

A selection of home and fashion items featuring Sadu weaving techniques, as well as  hand-crafted jewellery,in silver band in gold, silver and enamel were among the exhibits at  "Beyond the Loo:  Contemporary Sadu Expressions."

The exhibition at the Kuwait embassy during London Craft Week tells a story of cultural continuity and artistic innovation through crafted art produced by Kuwaiti artisans.  Much of the crafts shown involve Sadu weaving, a craft that involves using a ground loom, and the techniques have remained largely unchanged for centuries.  The weavers, mostly women, create intricate designs that often incorporate symbolic motifs representing their environment, such as desert landscapes and animal tracks.

The modern designers and artists showcased have meticulously incorporated traditional Sadu patterns into their designs, creating a seamless blend of old and new for a contemporary lifestyle, with remarkable results.

Muneera Al-Sharhan presents Hayakom, a Sadu seating set

Muneera Al-Sharhan's Hayakom, is a seating set with cushions in striking geometric Sadu patterns and vibrant colours, handcrafted, adapted and reimagined for modern living, "interpreting Sadu weaving in a way that suits her needs and surroundings, adopting a playful approach to its creation. " 

Kawthar Al-Saffar presents Crisscross Trays,

Kawthar Al-Saffar presents Crisscross Trays, designed "to elevate the intricate skill of master weaver Mutaira's Sadu without appropriation of her original process."  These sculptural trays add three dimensional framing to Mutaira's rectilinear textiles.  Made by both dual-casting and Sadu weaving which have high limitations, informing the design to produce unique objects that personify the inherent beauty of these local constraints.

Laila Al-Hamad presents Tital

Laila Al-Hamad shows Tital a set of incense burner made in marble and sandstone, known in Arabic as mubkbar, apparently one of the few objects that has survived the test of time.  The idea was to create a handmade piece that combined the useful and the beautiful, allowing one to connect to the ritual and the object, the material and the form, and most importantly to the handmade nature of craft.

Ali Al-Yousefi presents Forest of Shapes 

Ali Al-Yousefi presents Forest of Shapes inspired by the Shajara pattern, the central and most elaborate pattern of Sadu textiles.  Ali's unique 3D printed game Forest of Shapes invites users to participate in the Sadu process.  This game interprets the tactile component of Sadu weaving and combines it with the forms of the Shajara pattern, allowing users to create shape after shape using multi-coloured blocks.

Muneera Al-Sharhan presents Sadu Collection silver jewellery

Also show off Sadu traditional patterns to great effect are hand-crafted jewellery,in silver by Muneera Al-Sharhan and in gold, silver and enamel by Farah Bastaki, as well as incense burners in marble and sandstone by Laila Al-Hamad and in gold brass by Hussein Al-Rushaid.  Hanadi Al-Marzouk presents a selection of Sadu cups in ceramic.  There is also a Sadu bench by Manal Al-Maimouni made in wood with woven wool detailing.  Husam Al-Rushaid presents a "pyramid" item made in black iron while Alia Al-Fares presents Aljazi, a collection of travertine natural stone columns.

Farah Bastaki presents "Yalmah" jewellery in gold, fine silver and enamel.

Hussein Al-Rushald presents Sadu incense burner in gold-brass.

Hanadi Al-Marzouk presents Sadu cups in ceramic.

Manal Al-Maimouni presents Sadu beanch in wood with woven wool detailing.

The exhibit at the Kuwait embassy demonstrates that the Sadu culture in Kuwait exemplifies the resilience and creativity of the Bedouin people.  It represents a rich tradition that bridges the past and present, ensuring the preservation and celebration of Kuwait's cultural heritage for future generations.

All photos by Lucia Carpio

Craft and Culture: Dale Chihuly's vibrant glass sculptures for all to admire at Chelsea Barracks, London

Celebrated American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly has garnered acclaim throughout his 60-year career for his groundbreaking and expansive installations. Renowned for his ability to redefine the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium, Chihuly's creations often evoke organic forms with their intricate and vibrant designs.  

Within the meticulously landscaped gardens of Chelsea Barracks is Chihuly's the pièce de résistance, the "Electric Yellow and Deep Coral Tower," offset against the greenery and giant glass balls.

During London Craft Week 2024, May 13 - 19 2024, the general public with great interest in crafts has the opportunity to admire a selection of Chihuly's works in bright and cheerful colours sited within the lush outdoor grounds of the upmarket residential development, Chelsea Barracks, in the heart of Belgravia, London, just moments away from the River Thames. 

"Amethyrst Reeds, 2004! by Dale Chihuly is presented in deep hues of violet and vivid magenta atop logs of raw wood to incorporate an element of contrast between the tall, sleek stalks of glass and the rough grain of wood, set within the water feature of Mulberry Square.

These installations, characterized by their exploration of form, light, and space through the medium of glass, are created in deep amethyst, aqua blue and amber, or striking hues of electric yellow and orange, crafted from blown glass and supported by steel, providing striking contrast while harmonizing with their surroundings.

Curated by New Public, this latest project at Chelsea Barracks aligns with the development's ethos of seamlessly blending modern architecture with the site's rich historical heritage. 

Visitors entering Chelsea Barracks from Chelsea Bridge Road are welcomed by Chihuly's "Amethyst Reeds, 2024".

Among the highlights are three of Chihuly's works situated in Mulberry Square, including the  "Amethyst Reeds, 2024", which greets passersby along Chelsea Bridge Road.  According to descriptions accessible through a QR link, Reeds made their debut during the ground-breaking 1995-96 Chihuly Over Venice project.  Reminiscent of the icicle forms common in his chandeliers and towers, Reeds is described as the most extreme expression of this elongated form, at up to three metres tall each.

Chihuly's Electric Yellow and Deep Coral Tower standing majestically amongst the greenery of the Mulberry Square garden at Chelsea Barracks.

Further within the meticulously landscaped gardens lies the pièce de résistance, the "Electric Yellow and Deep Coral Tower," a captivating creation dating back to 2017.  This soaring creation of upstretched tendrils in radiant yellow and coral hues of hand-blown glass forms affixed to a steel armature evokes flames and though, static, suggests a riot of writhing movement. This tower was previously sited at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore in 2021, and Chihuly at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, USA in 2018.

Another striking work is "Mulberry Square Fiori" (2024) or is it Mille Fiori, Italian for thousand flowers.  The arrangement of glass in various shapes add vibrancy to the lush green gardens, with the appearance of living forms.  According to descriptions, it captures the unrestrained vitality of a July garden in a tribute to Chihuly's beloved late mother, Viola, a master gardener and colour fanatic.

The "Aqua Blue and Amber (2011)" chandelier resting on a !"quad pod" suggests it is a heavy sculpture. 

Another of Chihuly's installations at Chelsea Barracks, the "Aqua Blue and Amber, 2011" chandelier supported by a !"quad pod" steel frame, commands attention in Whistler Square near the Pimlico Road entrance. Described as a cascade of glass combining long, trailing tendrils and bulbous, marine globes in cheery shades of blue, gold and citron, playful in both form and palette.  This had previously been sited in the US, in Desert Botanical Garden, in Phoenix, Arizona in 2021 and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in 2012.

This particular piece draws parallels to Chihuly's celebrated installation at the historic Victoria and Albert Museum in Knightsbridge, London, titled "Chihuly: Reflections on Nature." It was originally showcased in a 2001 exhibition that featured several of Chihuly's iconic glass sculptures and is now suspended high and mighty from the domed ceiling of the V&A museum's atrium at its Cromwell Road entrance, captivating visitors to this day.

"Chihuly: Reflections on Nature"
at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

As for the transformation of Chelsea Barracks in Belgravia from its origins as a late 19th-century military barracks for the British Army into a luxurious residential enclave has been a journey marked by both historical reverence and modern reinvention. Despite initial controversies and opposition from various quarters regarding its redevelopment, the site has emerged as a testament to the seamless integration of heritage preservation and contemporary design, offering residents and visitors alike a glimpse into London's rich past and vibrant future.

All images by Lucia Carpio.

Craft and Culture: London Craft Week, May 13 to 19, spotlights on artisans and unique craft traditions from around the world

London Craft Week, running from May 13 to 19, is celebrating its 10th anniversary and has invited partners worldwide to partake in its annual celebration of exemplary craftsmanship. 

Image from London Craft Week 2024

With a focus on both the lesser-known artisans of local craft traditions and the innovative interpretations of established practices by contemporary makers, LCW honours the unsung heroes while highlighting the evolution within the craft landscape.

Crafting Japan, one of the key highlights of London Craft Week 2024.

Dedicated to offering fresh experiences, the programme showcases crafts from under-represented region from around the world.

This year's lineup includes weaving from Kuwait, and embroidery from Yemen.  Amidst the perennial favourites like Japan and Korea, visitors can delve into a myriad of disciplines and artisans, from meticulously handcrafted baskets to the ancient art of mother-of-pearl inlay and traditional Korean Jogakbo patchwork. 

“It seems like yesterday that The King & Queen launched the first London Craft Week in 2015. Now, in our tenth year, we host over 225,000 visitors, 520 events and 700 artists and makers. Our aims remain the same: to bring alive exceptional craftsmanship from across the UK and around the world by tapping into the energy, diversity and serendipity of our city. In a small way, I hope we have in turn contributed to London’s cultural credentials and reinforced the importance of making.” – LCW Chairman, Guy Salter.

Image courtesy of Meisterstrasse Handmade.

Also the Austrian Pavilion presented by Meisterstrasse Handmade, will open at the Austrian Embassy on Tuesday 14 May is dedicated to Salzkammergut, providing glimpses into one of the most famous rural areas in Austria.  It will host a series of events at 18 Belgrave Square, featuring the rich local craftsmanship from Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut region, designated as this year's European Capital of Culture. 

From May 14 - 19,  Meisterstrasse Handmade showcases a curated range of craftsmanship.  This year’s mission statement is ‘building bridges between East and West’. Traditional manufacturers and innovative craft businesses from Austria welcome master craftspeople from Germany, the UK, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia, including H.M. Queen of Pahang, Malaysia's Royal Pahang Weave Foundation.

Visitors can explore an array of objects, including mouth-blown glass, crystal chandeliers, perfumes, handmade tiles, wooden tables, table linen, hats and headdresses, traditional porcelain and ceramics, handmade caskets, cushions, handprinted and handwoven fabrics, jewellery and more. The curation is divided into three themes: interior design and architecture; sustainable living; and Austrian hospitality and crafts.

Five remarkable makers from the Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut region will introduce their craft traditions as well as their approaches to a new future of craftsmanship. 

Cavalier Finn is featuring a roster of international artists during London Craft Week 2024.

Among the highlights, Cavaliero Finn is celebrating 20th anniversary. Visitors can expect to see work by a roster of internationally acclaimed artists including ceramicists Annie Turner, Matthew Chambers, Ashraf Hanna, Ikuko Iwamoto, Akiko Hirai, Frances Priest, Sophie Cook, Mimi Joung, Mizuyo Yamashita, Björk Haraldsdóttir, Sarah Purvey and Nicholas Lees; metal sculptors Cecilia Moore, Juliette Bigley, Simon Gaiger and Helen Carnac; textile artists Sara Brennan, Caron Penny, Katharine Swailes and Isabel Fletcher; wood sculptor Robert George; and work by a number of painters whose paintings are exhibited in dialogue with the craft works.

Design and Product: Tom Dixon unveils new furniture and outdoor furniture in Copenhagen

British designer Tom Dixon will introduce new sofas, lounges, lights and an outdoor collection will debut in Copenhagen, including the FATTER and PLUMP sofas, from June 12th to 14th at Vognmagergade 7, in the heart of the city's historic centre.

Tom Dixon to unveil new sofas, lounges, lights and an outdoor collection in Copenhagen in June 2024. 

"The new FAT Work is a chair for conference rooms and breakout spaces, home offices or modern dining, that swivels and rolls and lifts with great posture and poise,"  says Tom Dixon.

The British design brand will offer also an exclusive glimpse of the highly anticipated SS25 outdoor furniture range, GROOVE.

Tom Dixon's new SLAB lounge chair and ottoman.

Fresh from their debut in Milan, also on display are the stylish SLAB Lounge Chair & Ottoman and the functional FAT Work chair, promising an inspiring showcase of contemporary design.

Tom says: "The centre of gravity has shifted in the last few years, where Copenhagen has become a new and relevant epicentre for the latest thinking in interiors – a design-obsessed population, a properly functioning city, and a global outlook, all against the backdrop of a Scandinavian summer... what’s not to like?"

Fashion Trade Event: Copenhagen Fashion Week announces brand line up for SS25; Sinéad O'Dwyer awarded Zalando Visionary Award 2024, CPHFW NEWTALENT recipients revealed for the August edition

Copenhagen Fashion Week August 2024 edition's full lineup has been unveiled, featuring 46 brands and institutions poised to showcase their collections on the official show and presentation schedule. 

Rotate AW24 runway show at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Image by James Cochrane from CFW. 

Sinéad O'Dwyer wins the 
Zalando Visionary Award 2024

Among the highlights, Sinéad O'Dwyer has been announced as the recipient of the Zalando Visionary Award 2024, with the Irish designer's collection set to debut on the Copenhagen runway in August as part of the SS25 schedule.

The annual award is based on three pillars: creativity and design, social impact and innovation. 

Sinéad O'Dwyer has been recognised by the award jury for her innovative, joyful, and avant-garde creations that redefine the boundaries of fashion. With a unique blend of artistry and technical expertise, Sinéad O'Dwyer explores themes of identity, body positivity, and self-expression through her designs. 

As winner of the award, Sinéad O'Dwyer will receive a €50,000 prize.  For her collection presentation at Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2024, additional support from Zalando will be provided for the show production to highlight the brand's dedication to diversity and innovation.

In addition, Copenhagen Fashion Week has revealed the designers selected for the CPHFW NEWTALENT scheme for the SS25 season. Berner Kühl joins the ranks alongside Stamm and Alectra Rothschild/MASCULINA, while Rolf Ekroth will present his third and final showcase under the scheme. Notably, Bonnetje, Sól Hansdóttir, and Stem have been recognized as CPHFW NEWTALENT One To Watch. 

Looking ahead to the SS25 season, Copenhagen Fashion Week continues to build momentum with a lineup of 46 brands and institutions confirmed for August 2024.  

The SS25 brand lineup showcases a mix of established leaders and emerging innovators, including newcomers like Berner Kühl alongside returning favorites such as A. Roege Hove, Jade Cropper, Latimmier, and Rabens Saloner. 

For the first time, the event will feature both runway shows and presentations, reflecting the evolving creative landscape of the Nordic fashion industry. This merge underscores Copenhagen Fashion Week's stature as a global leader in the fashion calendar.

With a curated selection of new names, Copenhagen Fashion Week presents a dynamic programme over four days, highlighting both Nordic talent and international vanguards. This blend further solidifies the event's international standing within the global fashion industry.  

Click HERE for full line-up.

Wool Competition: 2024 Innovation in Wool Awards now open to applications

The 2024 Innovation in Wool Awards, boasting a prize pool of £30,000, are now accepting applications.

2024 Innovtion in Wool Awards celebrate the versatility and potential of wool while contributing to the revitalization of the British wool industry.
Image from the Campaign for Wool

The deadline for submissions is July 21st, 2024, with the winners set to be announced on September 17th, 2024.

This award welcomes entries from individuals and organizations showcasing wool in groundbreaking and imaginative ways. Whether in apparel, interior design, construction, insulation, agriculture, horticulture, medicine, aquaculture, or other scientific and innovative industrial applications, if your project utilizes wool in a novel manner, we want to hear from you.

Spearheaded by The Woolmen's Company Charitable Incorporated Organisation, The Company of The Merchants of the Staple of England Charitable Trust, and The Worshipful Company of Clothiers (Worcester), this annual accolade is supported by the Campaign for Wool. 

It was established in response to the historical decline of the UK wool industry. However, with recent positive indicators signaling a resurgence in the sector, the Campaign for Wool is collaborating with these esteemed organizations to foster innovation and explore new avenues for wool utilization that meet the demands of the 21st century.

Entrants from around the globe are encouraged to apply, but they must demonstrate a commitment to the following criteria, with an emphasis on British involvement:

* Contributing value to British wool farming

* Incorporating British wool fiber

* Utilizing British manufacturing processes

* Outlining potential wool volume projections for the first year and beyond

Ensuring compliance with patents, copyrights, and intellectual property rights through due diligence conducted by both applicants and award organizers.