London Craft Week has arrived in London, taking place across the whole city, starting from today: here’s how to make the most of it.
London Craft Week is an incredibly novel chance to get to know (and learn from) the very best in the craft and design world, and to support the people behind our favourite brands. Learn how Burberry’s signature trench coat is constructed with an exclusive demonstration by the fashion atelier’s artisans, personalise your favourite piece at L’Objet, learn to tailor with Hackett London, and enjoy your first foray into embroidery: it’s all happening this week.
Now in its 11th year, 400 events, exhibitions, creative classes, and 1000 international makers are demonstrating their artisanal craft across the capital via a very impressive programme of masterclasses, demonstrations, workshop tours, talks, exhibitions and more. Here’s what to see (and book) at this year’s London Craft Week, running from 12 to 18 May (this week!).
Opera Din Chair Shiny Black Kuniko Maeda Dragon Head Paper
What Is It?
We should probably start with what is a ‘craft’? Craft encompasses pretty much everything across design: furniture, ceramics, accessories (bags), jewellery, sculpture, interiors, tableware, fabrics and even doll houses! Running across multiple locations in London (from artist workshops to fashion stores to auction houses) London Craft Week throws the UK’s leading designers into the spotlight, accompanied by international, world-renowned brands and makers. Read on for everything to see and book this year.
Béton Brut x David Horan Paper. Credit Gareth Hacker
What To See
Starting off with a good cause: the Secret Ceramics exhibition at Christie’s is the fair’s charitable initiative, back for its second year. One-hundred ceramic pieces by incredible designers are on display, each available to purchase at a fixed price. The catch: you won’t know which artist has made your piece until after you purchase it. A very fun way to add a piece by an artist you are less familiar with to your collection. All profits goes to FiredUp4 pottery studio who host classes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Across fashion and textiles, Louis Vuitton is hosting The Craftsmanship of the Capucines Bag demonstration, displaying the intricate 250-step process of making the iconic bag at their Sloane Street store and Burberry Iconic British Craftsmanship shows how their iconic trench coat is made.
A few of our favourite names in design will also be participating: Jess Wheeler will open up her workshop via a large-scale sculpture demonstration while Tess and Alfred Newall present their Herbarium Cabinet via a botanical exhibition.
Anna Volkova Artisan ©Dilyara Ramazanova
What To Book
Tempted by crafts but not sure where to begin? Start with West Dean: Craft Taster Sessions ranging from ceramics, embroidery, leather working, watchmaking, woodworking, weaving, and more. Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank will also host millinery classes, ceramics workshops and jewellery making with a variety of independent artists.
Still looking for inspiration? Get your wishlist piece from L’Object personalised; enjoy The Art of Tailoring masterclass by Hackett London; learn about The Art of Silk with a talk by Gucci; join The London Library’s Art/ Lit Salon as they chat about art and literature and how these both collide; and learn how to make a silk lapel with Chud Thai Through the Ages: Weaving History, Craft and Identity. You’ll also find calligraphy classes, embroidery, felting, puppetry, candle making and more.
Charlotte Colbert, Where Angels Live. Credit Caroline Mardon
Where and When Is It?
London Craft Week is taking place across the whole city. The events range from free to ticketed with bookable time slots, so make sure to consult each event via the programme before you visit.
All image credit: Sloane Street ©Hufton+Crow
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Any Questions or Tips to add?