Because loves nothing more than to find out how things are made which is why we are excited about London Craft Week, a chance to peek into the workshops and studios of some of our most innovative craftspeople.
Ever wondered what goes into creating a Loewe handbag? We certainly have – and we’ll be sure to visit the “Making a Loewe Handbag” event (Thursday and Friday from noon to 6:30 pm) where a leather craftsman, flown in from Spain, will demonstrate the complete process – from pattern cutting and construction, to stitching and finishing.
How do you go about buying a bespoke suit on Savile Row? Well, if you have time to pop into Dege & Skinner tomorrow and on Thursday, tailors including Kathryn Sargent (the first female tailor to open a shop on Savile Row) will guide you through what to look for in cut, drape, material and detailing.
What’s really setting our hearts aflutter, though, is shoe designer Georgina Goodman’s pop-up shop and installation at Blacks Club. Taking place from today until Friday (10 am to 6 pm), Goodman’s exhibit features shoe “sculptures” and provides a chance to learn about the techniques that go into making her conceptual yet wearable shoes.
We have long been fans of Georgina’s work – particularly her breathtaking shoes for Alexander McQueen’s catwalk shows and the glass shoes for Nick Knight's film La Douleur Exquise in 2014.
It's no surprise that Georgina is just as excited about this week as we are, so we asked her for the inside scoop. To help guide you through the thicket of things to do, here are Georgina’s top picks for London Craft Week.
Georgina Goodman’s London Craft Week To-Do list
Film is so special for me. As far as I’m concerned, seeing really is believing. The documenting of time and process is such an intimate experience. As a visual person, I find film very inspiring and spending time fully engaged in the process of craft is a luxury. I especially love the way that film-maker Ian Denyer captures process – he always manages to encapsulate the real personality in front of the camera.
I have known Sebastian for years. In fact I am proud to say I gave him his first job in London as a shoemaker in my studio over 10 years ago. Visiting his studio would be a must for any budding cordwainer. He has such passion for the craft of traditional shoemaking but he interweaves a modern twist into his work. His workshop is an “Aladdin’s Cave” of perfectly arranged shoe-making tools and carefully placed inspirational objects – an art installation in its self.
Based Upon at St James’s Church
I love the work of design and art group Based Upon and they are showing in St. James Church – an amazing venue designed by St. Christopher Wren. This description below says it all…
Creative Director, Ian Abell, describes his cast-bronze sculpture, “In the Cathedral of Your Spirit I am Happy Queuing for Wine” as "a love poem in its simplest form, whatever that love or awe may be directed at. To know vastness and hold space within it, needing nothing, is to be liberated by joyful abundance."
The art behind Etro’s paisley design
As a brand, Etro champions the craft of fashion and the intricacy of process and time. It is rare for a large brand to produce such complicated and labour intensive garments. I always love visiting the Etro store anyway, but this will be a great experience for anyone interested in true ‘luxury’ fashion.
London Craft Week takes place from 3 to 7 May at various venues in London. For more information on venues, dates and times, visit www.londoncraftweek.com.