LONDON CRAFT WEEK

8 - 14 May londoncraftweek.com

London Craft Week (LCW) returns for its ninth edition with a new programme of events taking place across the capital from 8-14 May 2023.

Bringing together the work of celebrated and emerging artists, makers and designers, the festival showcases the best of craftsmanship and creativity from around the world, spanning the fields of craft, art, design, luxury, fashion and accessories.

Through a programme of curated workshops, immersive experiences, pop-up stores and original exhibitions that champion specialist craftsmanship, LCW provides an insight into the latest developments in material innovation, treasured heritage techniques and the histories behind some of the world’s most intricate and beautiful objects. Unsung hero makers, artists and brands are celebrated alongside world-famous names.

Made possible through the support of its sponsors and partners such as Delvaux, dunhill and Serapian, the event will also see the first UK showcase of work by Loewe Craft Prize Winner 2022, Dahye Jeong at Cromwell Place; demonstrations from Chanel’s Métiers d’Arts (Master of Art) ateliers, such as Goossens and Maison Michel and a display of Dame Vivienne Westwood’s archive corsets and runway looks.

This year, LCW has focused on developing its programme of International Pavilions in 2023, sharing global perspectives and spotlighting exceptional artist-makers, studios and workshops. This year’s Pavilions include South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Austria; highlighting the festival’s ambition to present work previously unseen in London.

Coinciding with the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, LCW also features a series of events that explore the stories of craft behind the Coronation and the tradition of Royal patronage, working with and celebrating craftspeople in Britain. There will be a workshop and demonstration led by the Royal Mint’s hand engraver and behind-the-scenes atelier tours of Britain’s Royal Warrant Holders.

Elsewhere, the National Army Museum’s programming will celebrate their unique archive of British military uniforms. Visitors will be able to explore the craftsmanship of ceremonial dress with a behind-the- scenes look at the museum’s collection, and take part in Embroidering Identity: Goldwork, an embroidery course led by Hand & Lock.

Visitors will also be invited to the ateliers of Britain’s Royal Warrant-holders, including barbers and groomers Truefitt & Hill, hatmakers Lock & Co, cordwainers John Lobb and watch hatmaking demonstrations by Rachel Trevor Morgan, milliner to Her Majesty the late Queen.

Within Mayfair Design District, guests can discover a programme of events from designers, galleries and luxury car dealerships including Georg Jensen, Connolly London & Edward Barnsley Foundation, SEEDS at Mayfair Gallery, Begg x Co, Rolls-Royce, Jack Barclay Bentley, and Mint Gallery, who will present Italian designer, Mario Trimarchi’s, exquisite ‘Close to the Edge’ collection.

New for LCW 2023 is ‘Park Royal Design District’, one of the Mayor of London’s newest Creative Enterprise Zones. Nestled among industrial buildings, iconic factories and garages, visitors will find a rapidly growing collection of studios and workshops occupied by artists, crafters, makers and designers. This unique landscape has inspired a particularly eclectic mix of disciplines, from ceramics and leatherwork to sculpture and millinery. Many of the makers have taken inspiration from their industrial neighbours, using reclaimed materials and repurposed offcuts in their work, and incorporating innovative circular design solutions into their practice.

Further demonstrating this more considered, ‘circular’, approach to materials, Park Royal Design District will showcase makers from their studios who have sourced clay from local construction sites to create new works. In Knightsbridge, Anabela Chan, the first fine jewellery brand in the world to champion laboratory-grown gemstones with high jewellery design, will present her jewellery creations using recycled and refined aluminium drink cans from ocean and beach clean-ups.

Guy Salter, Chairman of London Craft Week said: “Our ninth London Craft Week builds on the post- Covid appetite for unique live experiences, which drove our record visitor numbers at last year’s festival, and celebrates unsung creative communities. That often hidden ecosystem of exceptional talent. Not just in London but from around the UK and the world. Reinforcing this is a glimpse behind the scenes of the Coronation and the work of another fascinating community of artisans and specialist crafts linked to the monarchy. More than ever this year, I hope we’re proof of London’s enduring international cultural pulling powerand a tangible demonstration of human ingenuity and diversity”.

Authenticity is at the heart of London Craft Week and the programme aims to attract a broad audience united in their appreciation of imagination, individuality, passion and skill. A curated programme of events across London allows visitors to create their own itinerary, meet the makers and gain access to exclusive exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops.

For further programme details and tickets please visit the website.