Fashion event: London Fashion Week June 2023 edition is launched as a pilot cultural event

The June edition of London Fashion Week, launched Friday June 9th running until Monday June 12th, is a transitional season, piloting a cultural programme with the aim to reframe the platform as one focused on the amplification of technology, craftsmanship, sustainability, diversity, and menswear storytelling for June 2024. It is also a gender neutral edition with a spotlight on menswear. 

Caroline Rush, CEO of British Fashion Council said their plans to pilot a new format for this June event is a reflection of the current turbulent landscape.  "We recognise the need to continuously adapt and evolve to support our community of British designers and brands. 

“British menswear is incredibly broad, with many brands not fitting into the traditional fashion week mold. We want to ensure those brands can continue to tell their great stories to both industry and consumers. This new cultural programme is the direct result of the ongoing conversations we are having with designers about how LFW June can best serve their showcasing needs.”

The schedule sees the return of BFC NEWGEN designer SAUL NASH and Ravensbourne University, including QASIMI/QASIMI RISING PRESENTS: Omer Asim; Salim Azzam and welcoming SMR DAYS for the first time. 

Alongside the fashion shows and presentations, the schedule features panel discussions with industry leaders, the University of Westminster BA show, the University of East London Emerging Designer show, and cultural events designed to celebrate and showcase excellence in diversity, sustainability, and innovation. The evening events include Justin Cassin Autumn/Winter 24 and the SAGABOI SS24 Show.

Graduate Preview Day is also launched on June 9th as a physical showcase of portfolios from the top fashion design graduates from selected BFC Colleges Council universities, underpinning the creative future of the fashion industry. 

As part of the new cultural programme format, LFW June will continue to unite London in a festival of creativity and innovation through the City Wide Celebration with a programme of events and activations open to the public over LFW, consisting of new collection previews, exclusive fashion week menus, promotions, concept stores, styling sessions and art exhibitions from brands across London. 

Participating brands include designer Anya Hindmarch, who has launched its first ceramics collection: Bull in a China Shop.  Cubitt House is promoting an exclusive Hibiscus Martini featuring Mirabeau Gin; while at MOLINI London, one can learn about their alternative fabrics and take a look at their latest collection, which features signature slip dresses and silk suits.

One can join personal stylists at Peter Jones and Partners for an in-depth look at men's fashion, just in time for Father's Day.  Tonomi, the online limited-edition gallery, is offering a 25% discount on prints with the code LFW25.

At Stevie Crowne one can enjoy 25% off and free shipping on their latest collection, AW23 Phoenix, by using code LFWCW23 on steviecrowne.com.

Click HERE to explore the City Wide Celebration.

LFW June will continue the year-long celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the BFC NEWGEN showcasing initiative by highlighting the scheme’s illustrious history and alumni, and London’s legacy in nurturing emerging talent and the next generation of visionary creatives. 

The year-long celebration will culminate with the landmark exhibition, REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion, displaying from 16th September until 11th February 2024. The exhibition is sponsored by Alexander McQueen and guest curated by Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Design Museum Senior Curator, Rebecca Lewin.

Art & Design: London Design Biennale & Eureka 2023 has opened at London's Somerset House

The international London Design Biennale has opened in Somerset House. It serves as a platform for designers, artists, and innovators from around the world to come together and showcase their creative ideas, concepts, and projects, celebrating design as a powerful tool for driving change, improving lives, and shaping a better future. 

Dubai Pavilion.
Image courtesy of London Design Biennale.

From June 1 to 25, the Biennale takes over the entirety of Somerset House in London, including the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court and River Terrace, where participants from across the globe are interacting with one another through the medium of design and enacting new forms of international cooperation.

London's Somerset House, shown with the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, is an iconic neoclassical building
located in the heart of London, UK,
situated on the south side of the Strand, overlooking the River Thames.
Photo: Richard Bryant

This year's Biennale is held under the artistic direction of Nieuwe Instituut, the Dutch national museum and institute for architecture, design and digital culture, led by its General and Artistic Director, Aric Chen.

Visitors can immerse themselves in a diverse range of installations, interactive displays, and thought-provoking exhibits. These exhibits often incorporate innovative materials, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable design principles. 

The event encourages cross-cultural collaboration, fosters dialogue between different design disciplines, and encourages visitors to engage with the ideas and concepts presented.

 Poland's entry – ‘Poetics of Necessity’ - was awarded the London Design Biennale 2023 Medal, for the most outstanding overall contribution. Photo by Iona Wolff

Some 40 designers from around the world are showcasing their work responding to the theme: The Global Game: Remapping Collaborations.

There are 45 pavilions from 5 continents, involving more than 50 countries, cities and territories, including Abu Dhabi, Ai-Da Robot, Austria, Automorph Network, Beatie Wolfe, Bidibidi Pavilion, Care Pavilion, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark & Switzerland, Dubai, Future for Beginners, India, Inner Peace Pavilion, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mudac Museum, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Serbia, South Korea, Spain & Peru, Taiwan, Turkey, The European Union Delegation to the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the USA.

The London Design Biennale has tackled various themes in its previous editions, including Utopia by Design (2016), Emotional States (2018), and Resonance (2021). Each theme invites participants to explore and respond creatively to social, political, and environmental issues of global significance.

This year's theme, Eureka, showcases design-led innovation from the UK’s leading research centres, featuring cross-disciplinary invention and creativity from academics, and problem solvers, exploring a wide range of topics, from ageing to city planning to Britain’s colonial history, social equality and the cultural and emotional significance of our oceans. 

Participants include Canterbury Christ Church University, Centre for Natural Material Innovation, Cambridge University, Royal College of Art, Glasgow School of Art, King’s College London, Kingston University, Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University, The UK’s National Centre for Ageing (NICA), University of Strathclyde, University of the Arts London.

Visitors can also take part in a workshops scheduled during the Biennale, such as baking bread, witness an AI Robot designing, weave a tapestry, get inside a space pod, find inner peace and visit a virtual garden and more. 

For talks schedule, booking details and workshops, click HERE.

Trade Fair: George Davies To Headline Pure London Content Programme in July

by Staff Writer

UK retail legend George Davies will be a keynote speaker at the PURE London* international fashion trade fair this July, the organisers has announced.  The event will take place at the iconic Olympia in London's Kensington July 16-18 2023. 

George Davies
Photo from PURE London

Known in the industry as a master of the retail world with a career that spans more than four decades, Davies is widely acknowledged as the most successful fashion innovator and designer of his time and is renowned for revolutionising the British high-street. 

Davies is credited with creating three of the UK’s most successful fashion businesses, NEXT, George at Asda and PER UNA at Marks &Spencer. Davies paved the way for many brands to flourish by transforming the retail landscape.  His latest venture is the GWD brand which was launched to the UK at Pure London in February earlier this year.

At his talk session, Davies will be joined on the Pure London catwalk by prolific trade journalist and author Eric Musgrave, formerly Editorial Director for Drapers magazine, Founder of FHM and CEO of The UK Fashion & Textile Association.  Musgrave has written for many of the most respected newspapers and magazines in the UK and abroad and published his own coffee table book, Sharp Suits.  

Davies and Musgrave have a long-standing friendship within the fashion industry setting Musgrave as the perfect partner for this not to be missed interview with Davies discussing his career, his thoughts on the UK fashion market today, the future of UK retail and more.

Davies will also be showcasing the latest collection from his contemporary fashion brand GWD as a Pure London exhibitor. A feminine collection that includes Davies’ signature mix of occasionwear and smart-casual attire the collection includes fine embellishments, intricate lace designs and beautiful trims, bold prints and vibrant colours.

Gloria Sandrucci, Event Director at Pure London says, “We are incredibly excited to welcome such an icon of the retail industry to Pure London.  Davies keynote will not only look back on his hugely successful career and the impact he has had on the UK fashion market but also address the future of fashion and the challenges facing brands and retailers today. The next edition of Pure London in July aims to deliver many insightful conversations and we look forward to revealing more details of our content programme and fantastic line-up of speakers.”

 The upcoming edition of Pure London will take place at Kensington Olympia in London, 16-18 July 2023. 

* Pure London provides a global platform for international womenswear, accessory and shoe brands and designers to meet with the UK buyers, agents and showrooms and is held twice a year to showcase the best of the season’s must-have collections, latest trends, and exclusive business insights from around the world.

Trend: Charming homewares for an artistic living space from Fable and Mirth

Having seen amazing works at London Craft Week and garden trends at Chelsea Flower Show, our heads may be full of decorating ideas to bring crafts and floral beauty into a living space.

Online home products retailer Fable and Mirth * has unveiled its latest collection of homeware products that answer to the trend of folk florals, ideal for uplifting a living space with country cottage charm.

A ceramic vase in the shape of a jug features an embossed blue and green floral motif
from Fable and Mirth 

Cream Ceramic Mug with embossed flower
from Fable and Mirth

This range features an assortment of plates, jugs, vases, mugs, and more, all adorned with folk florals, with each drawing inspiration from traditional folk art motifs to tell a tale of whimsy and elegance, from delicate wildflowers to vibrant blossoms.

Ceramic green lunch plate adorned with embossed flowers
from Fable and Mirth
 

"Our mission at Fable and Mirth is to provide our customers with lovely and unique items that add joy and character to their homes," says founder Neely Reyes. 

"Our collection of folk floral homeware is a celebration of nature's beauty and the rich heritage of traditional craftsmanship. We are excited to bring this captivating trend to our customers and help them create spaces as distinctive as they are."

Ceramic soft blue lunch plate with embossed flowers
from Fable and Mirth

Reyes added that the folk floral range is meticulously curated, featuring handpicked pieces from artisans and designers around the globe. 

"Crafted with utmost care and attention to detail, these items showcase the highest standards of quality and aesthetics. Whether savouring your morning coffee from a beautifully patterned mug or displaying flowers in an intricately painted vase, each piece tells its unique story and becomes a cherished part of your home decor."

* Fable and Mirth is an independent online retail store that curates and designs delightful luxury products from all over the world. With a focus on uniqueness and quality, They offer a carefully selected range of handcrafted pottery, artisanal candles, designer clothing, accessories, and more. 

Art: Turner Prize 2023 shortlist announced; Towner Eastbourne to host exhibition September 28 to April 14 2024

by Lucia Carpio, Head of Content

Towner Eastbourne, the East Sussex art gallery, will host the Turner Prize 2023, the world’s leading prize for contemporary art, from September 28 2023 to April 14 2024.

Tate Britain has announced the four shortlisted nominees as Jesse Darling, Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim and Barbara Walker.  The winner will be announced on December 5 2023 at an award ceremony in Eastbourne's Winter Gardens.

Installation view of Jesse Darling, Enclosures at Camden Art Centre, 2022.
Photo by Eva Herzog. Courtesy of the artist and Camden Art Centre, London.

Jesse Darling was nominated for his solo No Medals, No Ribbons at Modern Art Oxford and Enclosures at Camden Art Centre.  Darling's work encompasses sculptures and installations which evoke the vulnerability of the human body and the precariousness of power structures.  The jury was struck by Darling's ability to manipulate materials in ways that skillfully express the messy reality of life.  They felt that these exhibitions revealed the breadth and integrity of Darling's practice, exposing the world's underlying fragility and refusing to make oneself appear legible and functioning to others.

Ghislaine Leung, Fountains. Installation View at Simian, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2023. Courtesy the artist and Simian, Copenhagen; and Maxwell Graham, New York; and Cabinet, London.
Photo credit GRAYSC.

Ghislane Leung was nominated for her solo exhibition Fountains at Simian, Copenhagen.  Leung's work takes the form of "scores" - sets of instructions which test the boundaries of the gallery space.  Baby monitors, child safety gates, inflatable structures, toys, and water fountains are used to turn the exhibition structure on its head, asking questions about time, leisure and labour.  The jury particularly commended the warm, humorous and transcendental qualities that lay behind the sleek aesthetic and conceptual nature of Leung's work, as well as her commitment to challenging the way art is produced and circulated.

Rory Pilgrim's RAFTS, 2022, HD Video Still (1:06:55). Courtesy of andriesse~eyck galerie.

Rory Pilgrim was nominated for the commission RAFTS at Serpentine and Barking Town Hall, and a live performance of the work at Cadogan Hall, London.  Pilgrim's work interweaves stories, poems, music and film, created in collaboration with local communities in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, to reflect on times of change and struggle during the pandemic.  The jury praised the project as a standout example of social practice.  They felt that Pilgrim's beautiful and affecting musical arrangements gave light to their collaborators' voices and that the confidence and vulnerability of the performance reflected the strength of the relationship between artist and community.

Barbara Walker's Burden of Proof, 2022. Installation view: Sharjah Biennial 15, Old Diwan Al Amiri, 2023. Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation with the support of The Whitworth, The University of Manchester.
Photo by Danko Stjepanovic.

Barbara Walker was nominated for her presentation entitled Burden of Proof at Sharjah Biennial 15.  With a practice that interrogates past and present issues of racial identity, exclusion and power, Walker's presentation explores the impact of the Windrush scandal, underlaying figurative drawn portraits with facsimiles of the documentation these individuals had to produce to prove their right to remain.  The jury applauded Walker's ability to use portraits of monumental scale to tell stories of a similarly monumental nature, whilst maintaining a profound tenderness and intimacy across the full scope of her work.

Turner Prize, one of the best-known prizes for the visual arts in the world, aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art.  Established in 1984, the Prize is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the previous twelve months.

The Turner Prize winner will be awarded £25,000 with £10,000 awarded to the other shortlisted artists.

Turner Prize 2023 is one of the major events of Towner 100, a year-long centenary celebration of arts and culture across Eastbourne.  The other major exhibition  at Towner Eastbourne this year is Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life which is currently held until September 25 2023.

Members of the Turner Prize 2023 jury are Martin Clark, Director, Camden Art Centre; Cédric Fauq, Chief Curator, Capc musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux; Melanie Keen, Director of Wellcome Collection; and Helen Nisbet, Artistic Director, Art Night.  The jury is chaired by Alex Farquharson, Director, Tate Britain.

With support from Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County Council, the Turner Prize 2023 will bring transformative cultural and social experiences for visitors and residents, said Joe Hill, Director and CEO of Towner Eastbourne.

In a press release, Hill said the Towner Eastbourne looks forward to welcoming the shortlisted artists who will collectively bring a sense of place and community to the galleries, through their diverse range of practices, from film and performance to drawing and sculpture.  

"Together they are an incredibly strong set of exhibiting artists, who ask us to look at some of the most pertinent issues of today.  

"There is really something for everyone to engage with in this shortlist and my thanks to the jury for their research, knowledge and insight in putting forward these four brilliant artists for the exhibition."

Exhibition: Towner Eastbourne hosts landmark Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life - May 27 - September 3

by Lucia Carpio and Alan Tyler, Content Editors

Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life* - a landmark retrospective exhibition of the iconic British artist's work - is launched at Towner Eastbourne Saturday May 27, running to September 3 2023.  This is one of the major events to mark the gallery's centenary celebrations this year.

The exterior walls of Towner Eastbourne featuring a large-scale colourful geometric artwork is entitled Dance Diagonal (2019) by UK-based German artist Lothar Götz.  The artwork was commissioned to mark the 10th anniversary of the gallery's move from its originalhome in Eastbourne’s Old Town.  Götz was chosen from 60 artists and designers.  The award-winning building was designed by Rick Mather Architects.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, particularly within the realm of sculpture, Barbara Hepworth's innovative approach to form, her exploration of abstraction, and her ability to merge organic and geometric elements in her works were ground-breaking and had a significant impact on the development of modern sculpture.

Barbara Hepworth's sculptures often conveyed a sense of transcendence and spirituality, through the interplay of positive and negative spaces, the use of light and shadow, and the incorporation of voids. 
Above, in the space for Metal and Movement are three sculptures.  From left to right, Forms in Movement (Galliard), 1956, Copper; Curved Form (Trevalgan), 1956, Bronze; and Sea Form (Porthmeor), 1958, Bronze.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth's wide-ranging interests in music, dance, theatre, politics, and literature also informed her artistic practice. These influences shaped her approach to form, space, rhythm, and materials, leading to the creation of sculptures that embodied a harmonious relationship between nature, the arts, and society. 

Born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1903, Hepworth was trained in sculpture at Leeds School of Art and later at the Royal College of Art where she was exposed to various artistic disciplines, including theatre and stage design.

Barbara Hepworth's Totem, 1961-62.  Marble.
© Bowness. Wakefield Permanent Art Collection (The Hepworth Wakefield)
Photograph on mural shows the artist in her Cornwall studio, the Palais de Danse in St. Ives.
Photo by Lucia Carpio

The exhibition opens with a introduction to the artist's work.  Visitors are greeted with Totem, a white marble sculpture created in 1961-62.  And this space is enhanced by a mural depicting an enlarged photograph that transport visitors to Hepworth's world.  Taken in 1961, the photo shows Hepworth in her studio Palais de Danse, in St Ives, Cornwall, with a series of her sculptures.

Elsewhere in a space for Metal and Movement are three imposing sculptural forms that the artist returned to repeatedly throughout her career using a variety of different materials.  Created in 1956, after a period of 30 years, Hepworth returned to making sculptures in bronze and also copper.  

Photo by Lucia Carpio

The sculptures showcase her interest in exploring the relationship between positive and negative space.  

One may look at these sculptures individually, but also observe and contemplate them collectively while sitting on a bench in front, admiring the sculptures from a seated perspective.

Through abstract forms, Hepworth reveals her enduring ability to express essential human experiences, from interpersonal relationships to our connection to the world around us. 

A detailed look at Hepworth's childhood in Yorkshire through archive material and photographs include some of the artist's earliest known paintings, carvings and life drawings as she began to explore movement and the human form.  

Barbara Hepworth's Pierced Hemisphere, 1937. White marble.
Hepworth was interested in how sculptures interacted with light, shadow,
and the viewer's perspective, aiming to evoke a sense of performance and engage the audience.  
The Hepworth Wakefield (Wakefield art Collection)
Photo by Alan Tyler

After settling in Cornwall in 1939, Hepworth was inspired and influenced by the region's unique landscape. The natural forms, textures, and contours of the Cornish coastline and countryside found expression in her sculptures. She often incorporated the idea of landscape into her works, creating abstracted forms that evoked a sense of place and the organic shapes of nature.

The theatrical world influenced her approach to the presentation and staging of her sculptures. She often considered the spatial relationship between sculptures and their surroundings, carefully positioning them in specific contexts to create a dramatic effect. Visitors to the exhibition are given space to admire Hepworth's work from different angles around the displays, experiencing Hepworth's sense of space while engaging with the pieces.

Barbara Hepworth at work on the plaster prototype for the United Nations Single Form at the Morris Singer foundry, London, May 1963.
Image by Morgan-Walls, courtesy of Towner Eastbourne

Another of Hepworth's most famous work is "Single Form" (1961-1964): Created as a memorial to the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld, this monumental bronze sculpture stands at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The abstract form, with a hollow centre and pierced surfaces, symbolizes the human figure and embodies the themes of spirituality and transcendence.  At the exhibition, mounted on a large photograph of the unveiling ceremony at the UN headquarters plays a closed loop of a video depicting Hepworth's speech at the ceremony.

Barbara Hepworth's Kneeling Figure, 1932. Rosewood.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth was politically engaged, particularly during the post-World War II period. Her belief in social progress and the role of art in society influenced her work. She aimed to create sculptures that were accessible to the public and fostered a sense of community. Hepworth's interest in the politics of the time informed her exploration of themes such as unity, interconnectedness, and the human form's relationship to society.

One may recall Hepworth's "Winged Figure" (1963-1964), a monumental bronze sculpture situated outside the John Lewis department store in Oxford Street, London, a prominent public artwork. It depicts a standing figure with outstretched wings, symbolizing the triumph of the human spirit. The sculpture's dynamic and graceful lines capture a sense of movement and energy.

In the foreground, Baarbara Hepworth's Bicentric Form, 1949. Limestone.
A fusion of two figures into one sculptural entity, explained Hepworth, thus expressing her interest in individual and social relationships and perhaps reference to Cornwall's ancient standing stones.
In the background is Cone and Sphere, 1973. White marble. In her last years,
she returned to working in marble in earnest.
At the back is a series of Hepworth's lithographs, created in the 1970s in reference to Man's first Moon Landing.  Hepworth embraced the impact of scientific advances with a sense of spirituality.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth had a keen interest in poetry and literature, often drawing inspiration from literary works, and found connections between the written word and the visual arts, seeking to express poetic ideas and evoke emotional responses through her sculptures. Hepworth's engagement with literature influenced her exploration of themes such as spirituality, identity, and the human condition.

Hepworth had a deep appreciation for music and dance, which found resonance in her sculptures. She often described her sculptures in musical terms, relating their rhythms, harmonies, and melodies to the movement and flow of her artworks. 

A section at the exhibition looks at Hepworth's interest in science and technology, from the bold geometric abstsact drawings and sculptures made in the 1930s and her friendship with physicist J D Bernal, through to her iconic Hospital Drawings of the 1940s, and her fascination with the Space Race in the 1960s. 

Barbara Hepworth, Tibia Graft 1949, was one of her Hospital Drawings.
Image courtesy of Towner Eastbourne

In the series of Hospital Drawings, Hepworth created immense intimacy within the operating theatre. She drew focus to the surgeons' hands, but it was in their eyes, in a face covered in surgical mask that Hepworth was able to capture the intensity of their important work.

Barbara Hepworth's Curved Form (Wave II), 1959 Bronze with steel rods
Hepworth was interested in the harmony between organic and geometric shapes,
 seeking to create a visual language that bridged the natural and the technological.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth's interest in science and technology is evident in her sculptural practice, seeking to integrate elements of scientific abstraction and mathematical principles into her work. Her sculptures often feature precise, geometric forms that reflect her engagement with scientific ideas.  She was influenced by the progressive intellectual climate of her time and the influence of movements like Constructivism. Her engagement with scientific principles and the integration of technology in her work allowed her to explore new possibilities in sculpture and reflect the changing world around her.

One example was Curved Form (Wave II) she did in 1959, which was a variation of a sculpture that Hepworth had made in 1943-44.  According to description accompanying the piece, she later wrote about creating these encircling and open shapes: "I had a studio room looking straight towards the horizon of the sea and enfolded (but with always the escape for the eye straight out to the Atlantic) by the arms of the land to the left and the right of me."   

Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life received rave reviews when previously shown at Hepworth's home town in St. Ives, then in Wakefield and Edinburgh.  Now in the Towner Eastbourne it is an opportunity to explore the iconic artist's (1903 - 1975) work in a town nestled between the south English coast and the South Downs overlooking the English Channel, an idyllic spot where the land and the sea meet, important for an artist who juxtaposed land and sea; solid and fluid.

*Barbara Hepworth Art & Life is organised by The Hepworth Wakefield in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland (Edinburgh), Tate St Ives and Towner Eastbourne.

Design Event: Clerkenwell Design Week May 23 to 25 in London

by Staff Writer

The Clerkenwell district of London is buzzing and ready to host its own Design Week running from May 23 to 25. 

The district's history, concentration of design showrooms, proximity to other creative hubs, unique blend of old and new, vibrant culinary scene, and regular design-focused events make it an attractive destination for the fashionable and creative design set.

More than 160 local showrooms are welcoming the design community through their doors during Clerkenwell Design Week 2023, with over 600 curated events taking place, and everything from workshops to product launches, exclusive previews, lego building, coffee tasting, talks, networking events and much more. During this annual festival, designers, architects, and creative professionals from around the world come together to explore the latest trends and developments in the industry.  

Amidst the bustle of London, Clerkenwell still feels like an oasis of calm, and holds great significance for the creative industries due to its concentration of design showrooms, studios, and galleries. 

Historically, Clerkenwell was an industrial area known for its craftsmanship and manufacturing. It was home to numerous trades such as clockmakers, jewellers, and printers. Over time, the district has evolved into a thriving creative and design hub, attracting architects, designers, artists, and artisans.

Clerkenwell's charm lies in its unique blend of historical and contemporary elements. The district is characterized by its picturesque cobbled streets, converted warehouses, and industrial architecture, which have been repurposed into modern workspaces, art galleries, and design studios. This fusion of the old and new creates an inspiring atmosphere that appeals to the fashionable and creative design set.

Another reason for Clerkenwell's appeal to the creative industries is its proximity to other creative hubs in London, such as Shoreditch and the West End. The district is well-connected, with excellent transport links, making it easily accessible for professionals working in the design and fashion fields.

Clerkenwell is also known for its thriving culinary scene, with a wide range of trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants. This vibrant food culture attracts creative professionals, providing them with places to socialize, network, and find inspiration.

For the full Clerkenwell Design Week programme click HERE.  Got to get your skates on.