Discover the largest London Craft Week to date from 4-10 October, with 241 partners and over 380 events taking place throughout the city. With just under two weeks until the festival launches we’ve put together a selection of LCW talks highlights to help you navigate the programme.
Find out more about the lively discussions taking place during LCW 2021 below.
Image: Molly Mahon
Tuesday 5 October
9am -12.30pm: Enjoy breakfast in the Drawing Room at Charlotte Street Hotel and join journalist Jo Rodgers in conversation with textile designer Molly Mahon, founder and creative director of Firmdale Hotels and Kit Kemp Design Studio, Kit Kemp, and designer Melissa White as they share their love for the Bloomsbury Set. Book now.
11am – 1pm; 2pm – 4pm: Renowned fabric manufacturers Humphries Weaving discuss their work on the restoration of Spencer House, a rare survival of an 18th-century London aristocratic palace. The talk takes place in the magnificent Great Room, surrounded by examples of Humphries Weaving’s work. Book now.
11am; 3pm: ‘Cracked’ at Tristan Hoare Gallery, curated by Leonie Mir, is dedicated to hand-moulded ceramics made without the use of a wheel. The exhibition focuses on contemporary artists who construct, sculpt and mould clay, demonstrating what can be achieved with ‘a little bit of mud and a little bit of genius’ (Paul Gauguin). Meet Leonie and hear about the genesis of the exhibition. Book now.
11am – 1pm: The Korea Association of Art and Design is one of the oldest academic associations in Korea. Joined by the V&A’s curator of Korean art, they present an online talk on Korean crafts and their status within the international scene. The talk focuses on both makers and theorists, many of whom have been finalists in the Loewe Craft Prize. Book now.
5pm – 6pm: ‘The Contemporary Tapestry’ is a panel discussion bringing together maker, curator and designer. Panellists include Charu Gandhi, founder of interior design studio Elicyon, embroiderer Geraldine Larkin, fabric extraordinaire Bernie de Le Cuona, and furniture, decorative arts and fabric agent Miles de Lange. Design expert Tony Chambers hosts. Book now.
6pm – 7pm: Textile artist Aiveen Daly and furniture designer Tom Faulkner present the Lily Ottoman they created together at the Tom Faulkner showroom during London Craft Week. Combining two complimentary crafts has resulted in the iconic Lily Ottoman being reimagined using specialist leather artwork in a refined decorative style. Book now.
6.30 – 7.30pm: On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Lalique factory in Alsace, Nic Fiddian-Green and Frederick Fischer, Lalique managing director UK, talk about how fine art and craft are intertwined. The talk is hosted by Giles Kime, interiors editor at Country Life magazine. The ticket includes a Lalique gift, Lalique Champagne or wine, plus canapés and Champagne during the talk. Book now.
7 pm – 9pm: Yinka Ilori MBE is a London-based multidisciplinary artist who specialises in storytelling, fusing his British and Nigerian heritage to tell new stories in contemporary design. Hear him in conversation with the head of curatorial and interpretation at the Design Museum, Priya Khanchandani. Book now.
Image: Royal Historic Palaces
Wednesday 6 October
11am – 12:30pm: The Makers Tales Collective presents a lively discussion led by The World of Interiors‘ Grace McCloud, exploring the human element of the making process and how it embraces beauty through imperfection. Guests will be given exclusive access to the beautiful West London home of artist Margit Wittig with opportunities to ask questions and view work in progress from all the Makers. Book now.
1.30pm – 2.30pm: MA Fashion Artefact is a unique course at London College of Fashion, UAL, dedicated to developing and making contemporary fashion products. Join a live panel discussion exploring the focus of Artefacts in fashion today, with panellists: Naomi Filmer, course leader for Fashion Artefact; Georgina Goodman, senior lecturer at LCF; Jo Cope, a graduate from Fashion Artefact; and Judith Clark from the centre for Fashion Curation at LCF and ambassador for Michelangelo Foundation. Book now.
4pm – 5pm: Join some of the UK’s Royal Warrant holders at the Luxury British Craftsmanship Pavilion for a showcase of exceptional talent. Ettinger will demonstrate how its fine leather accessories are handcrafted, while a cordwainer from Edward Green will show how their signature Dover style is painstakingly handsewn. Johnstons of Elgin sheds light on the brand’s heritage as producers of fine woollen cashmere knitwear made in Scotland, Floris will tell the stories behind nearly 300 years of artisanal perfume craftsmanship, and Jack Barclay Bentley will demonstrate the unique techniques involved in crafting cars by hand. Book now.
5pm – 8pm: FLOOR_STORY hosts a live Q&A with emerging British designer Mac Collins, chaired by Crafts Council creative director Natalie Melton and followed by a tour of the showroom with FLOOR_STORY founder Simon Goff, looking behind the scenes at the design process behind their recent collaboration. Book now.
5pm: The Courtauld Gallery reopens this November following a major renovation of its historic Somerset House home. Join architect Stephen Witherford, the lead project director from Witherford Watson Mann architects, as he talks through the challenges of this transformation and how they necessitated the close collaboration of architect and craftsman to achieve a highly ambitious set of relationships between the old and the new over the two-year construction period. Book now.
6pm – 7pm: Discover how and why the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell, Big Ben, were built and learn about the enormous task of restoring the tower to its former glory as it is modernised to make it fit for the 21st century. This vital conservation work ensures that this iconic building, situated on a UNESCO World Heritage site, is safeguarded for future generations to visit and enjoy. Book now.
6pm – 8pm: Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, joins Leanne Elliott Young and Cattytay, co-founders of the Institute of Digital Fashion, for a drinks reception and talk exploring how we can use digital technology to shape a more sustainable and democratic future for the fashion industry. Book now.
6pm: Chelsea Textiles hosts a talk and cocktail evening with textile designer Neisha Crosland and Museum of Home curator Danielle Patten, exploring how plants have been used to keep our homes healthy and beautiful for centuries. Botanical cocktails will be served using herbs straight from the garden of the Museum of Home. Book now.
6pm – 9pm: Armani/Casa hosts an exclusive talk and cocktail evening to showcase the latest addition to their iconic bar cabinet collection: Royal, a new piece limited to just 88 editions. To accompany the talk, sample world-class cocktails created by Agostino Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani, directors of mixology at the Connaught Bar. Book now.
6.30pm – 7.30pm: Pitzhanger, a rare and extraordinary example of architect John Soane’s work, was conserved and restored to its original design, reopening in 2019. Join a panel of interior design experts for a talk inspired by Pitzhanger’s recreated hand-painted wallpaper and find out about its historic paint recreation by specialist painters and decorators Hare & Humphreys. Book now.
6.30pm – 8pm: Join a discussion at the Design Museum on the enduring impact of Yoruba design practices through the work of designers operating across fashion, products, and interiors, featuring AHEC Discovered designer Mimi Shodeinde and 2020 Design Museum Designer in Residence Abiola Onabule. Book now.
6.30pm – 8.30pm: Join Kensington Palace curator, Claudia Ascott-Williams, to meet the people behind the iconic wardrobe of Diana, Princess of Wales, in an evening of drinks and canapes at Browns Hotel. With Sara Prentice of Garrard Jewellery, David Sassoon of Belville Sassoon, and curator of ‘Royal Style in the Making’, Matthew Storey. Book now.
7pm – 7.45pm: Conservation is the management of constant change. In conversation, Tim Gosling (designer and author of The DNA of Furniture Design) and Jürgen Huber (senior furniture conservator, The Wallace Collection) take a closer look at some of the Wallace Collection’s most fascinating examples of furniture creation and conservation. Book now.
Image: Freya Bramble-Carter
Thursday 7 October
8.30am – 10.30am: The Danish Arts Foundation has curated a collection of contemporary art, craft and design, on view at the Danish ambassador’s residence. Join artists Boris Berlin and Dr. Maria Sparre-Petersen for breakfast and a talk chaired by Henrietta Thompson that gives an insight into their practices and evolves into a wider conversation about Danish design. Book now.
9am – 10.30am: Join Walpole, the official sector body for UK luxury, together with interior designers, craftsmen and property developers, for breakfast at Belmond’s The Cadogan as they discuss the importance of craftsmanship, creativity and collaboration to the luxury industry, and announce a very special project that brings these three Cs to life. Book now.
11am – 12.30pm: Join Bonhams’ Head of European Ceramics Nette Megens for a coffee and Q&A with contemporary ceramicist Phoebe Cummings. Alongside the talk, visitors can preview samples of Cummings’ work and highlights from Bonhams’ upcoming European Ceramics auctions. Book now.
12pm – 1pm: Join Sang-ah Kim, the British Museum’s newly appointed Korean collections curator, as she interviews interdisciplinary artist Yeesookyung about her renowned Translated Vase series. Yee’s Translated Vase_2018 TVG 1 is currently on view in the Museum’s Korea Foundation Gallery. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. Book now.
3pm – 4pm: Since its inception in 1986, Winch Design has become known as the ‘go-to’ studio for billionaires wishing to commission their dream home: on land, in the air and at sea. Join founder Andrew Winch in conversation with the wood carvers, furniture makers, embroiderers, ceramicists and textile designers who have helped create some of Winch’s most iconic projects. Learn about their craft and gain an insight into what it takes to create work for such discerning clients. Book now.
5pm – 7.30pm: The Heritage Crafts Association presents a talk exploring the invaluable and sometimes surprising links between craft and science through the experiences of people who have built their careers between the two. Join Zoe Laughlin and award-winning engineers, scientists and educators to discuss. Book now.
6pm – 6.45pm: The founder of Women in Sneakers, Stephanie Hulbert-Thomas, sits down with Helen Kirkum for discussion about the studio’s process and ideas. Discover Helen’s most recent collection and discover how she utilises consumer waste and champions design through making. Book now.
6pm: Chelsea Textiles hosts a talk and cocktail evening with leading designer and author Kit Kemp at their Pimlico Road store. Kit Kemp is a highly respected champion of British art and craft. In this talk, she discusses her design secrets and demonstrates how with a little bit of style and daring we can make our homes as individual as our clothes. Book now.
6pm – 7.30pm: How can developers, architects and craftsmen create unexpected results, commissioning craft that’s woven into buildings? Join Adriana Paice Kent, director, Woven Spaces, Katerina Dionysopoulou, director, Bureau de Change, and Yelena Ford, managing director, The New Craftsmen, to discuss. Book now.
6pm – 8pm: Join Anya Hindmarch, founder and CEO of her eponymous brand, in conversation with Lisa Armstrong, author, journalist and head of fashion at The Daily Telegraph. They explore the importance of craftsmanship in a post-pandemic world, followed by a Q&A session at Anya Hindmarch’s new retail concept The Village. Book now.
6pm – 8pm: Rupert Sanderson are hosting an open studio, complete with a livestream to their Italian factory. Rupert is delighted to invite you to hear him in conversation with Anna Garner (@thegarnered) to discuss how he has honed his craft. Join for a complimentary glass of Crémant and ask the designer anything in a Q&A. Book now.
6.30pm – 8.30pm: Petersham Nurseries celebrates the art of slow craft with an event hosted with ceramicist Freya Bramble-Carter in honour of her new ceramics collection, specially created for Petersham Nurseries Richmond. Freya will discuss her therapeutic process and how making mistakes can lead to creating some of the most loved and authentic pieces. Book now.
6.30pm – 8pm: Nicholas Lees is an artist working primarily in ceramic and on paper. His current work originates in observing and considering phenomena of light, space and time. Join Nicholas at the Royal Society of Sculptors as he discusses the conceptual and physical development of his work, in which there is a vital relationship between making and thinking; idea, material and process. Book now.
Multiple times: In their historically rich building, the Art Workers’ Guild makers showcase a range of craft disciplines, from woodcarving to textile dyeing, demonstrating the specialist skills involved. Join them for a programme of talks exploring architecture in miniature with Vicki Ambery-Smith, the hierarchy implied in the words ‘Craftsman’, ‘designer’-craftsman, ‘artist’-craftsman with Llewellyn Thomas, the world of the silver miniature with Jens Torp and a discussion around techniques and processes with glass engravers Tracey Sheppard and Katharine Coleman. Book now.
Image: Barnaby Barford
Friday 8 October
6.30pm – 8pm: Five ceramic artists – Clare Twomey, Barnaby Barford, Phoebe Cummings, Lucille Lewin and Malene Hartmann Rasmussen – come together at David Gill Gallery to discuss the way they work and the role that craftsmanship plays in their practice, moderated by the writer and journalist Emma Crichton-Miller, editor of The Design Edit. Book now.
Multiple times: In their historically rich building, the Art Workers’ Guild makers showcase a range of craft disciplines, from woodcarving to textile dyeing, demonstrating the specialist skills involved. Join them for a programme of talks exploring ways to interpret nature with Bridget Bailey, messages from the potter’s workshop with Prue Cooper, and woven narratives with Cathryn Shilling. Book now.
Image: World Monuments Fund
Saturday 9 October
12pm – 2pm: In this short documentary film premiere, experience the sights and sounds of World Monuments Fund’s Stonemasonry Training Programme in Tripoli, Lebanon from the perspective of the trainees. The project focused on training Syrian refugees and local Lebanese in the craft of conservation stonemasonry, equipping them with skills to improve their livelihoods and to restore their heritage post-conflict. They walked through the door of the training centre having never picked up a chisel before; six months later, they gained an accredited qualification, made friendships that will last a lifetime, and now have hope for the future. The screening will take pace at the Covent Garden Hotel in Seven Dials and is followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Wayne Holloway, hosted by John Darlington, Executive Director at WMF Britain. Book now.
12pm: Folded within Evoke London’s special showcase ‘Earth Textures’, is a display of artworks by British wood-carver and sculptor Henry Neville Wood. Titled ‘Walk Away With…’. Henry joins Evoke’s curator and designer Leonora Stathakis in an intimate and open conversation about his practice – the light-touch approach to material and a sense of connection and collaboration with nature. Book now.
2.30pm – 3.30pm: For London Craft Week 2021, Ann Coxon, Curator of International Art at Tate Modern is joined by contemporary visual artists Katarzyna Perlak, Rebecca Bellantoni and Raisa Kabir at Jerwood Space for a discussion which explores how crafts can be used to revisit and reimagine history from contemporary diasporic, feminist and queer perspectives.
Multiple times: In their historically rich building, the Art Workers’ Guild makers showcase a range of craft disciplines, from woodcarving to textile dyeing, demonstrating the specialist skills involved. Join them for a programme of talks exploring photo manipulation on fabric with Monica Boxley, making pots with Chris Keenan, contemporary application of natural dyes with Penny Walsh and an in conversation between Chila Burman and Frances Spalding. Book now.
Image: Abigail Schama, courtesy of The New Craftsman
Sunday 10 October
12pm – 4pm: Join ceramicist Abigail Schama and chef and food writer, Rosie Sykes who will explore the different ways craft and cooking align to one another. Whether that’s making a vessel or a dish of food, they will discuss the idea of fulfilment, the creative process and the social and emotional connection one has with the act of creation. The event includes cocktails and food by chef Rosie Sykes, some of which is cooked in the studio’s pottery kiln. All proceeds from the tickets will go to charity, Camden Psychotherapy Unit (CPU). Book now.
Multiple times: In their historically rich building, the Art Workers’ Guild makers showcase a range of craft disciplines, from woodcarving to textile dyeing, demonstrating the specialist skills involved. Join them for a programme of talks exploring mechanical metal typesetting with Phil Abel, constructed textiles with handweavers Bobbie Kociejowski and Charlotte Grierson and textile artist Rachael Matthews, rubbish printmaking with Stephen Fowler, and an in conversation between Julie Arkell and Jane Cox. Book now.
Featured Image Courtesy of Helen Kirkum Studio
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