Julien Marchenoir from Founding Partner Vacheron Constantin launches the second London Craft Week at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum
Makers rubbed shoulders with leading experts, influencers, editors and directors from the art, design, culture, food, luxury, fashion, media and government sectors, whilst admiring exceptional works from London Craft Week’s programme.
Live demonstrations from Vacheron Constantin’s enameller and watchmaker, Chinese calligraphy artist Wang Dongling and paper artist Karen Bit Vejle, were admired by guests on site; who enjoyed an interactive experience with the artisans.
Guy Salter, Chairman of London Craft Week said “There is a magical combination of imagination, individuality, passion and skill found in the best-made of things. This is as true for buildings, lighting or cars as it is for watches, clothes, jewellery or sculpture. This is the simple thought behind London Craft Week.”
Julien Marchenoir commented “6 years after we contributed to the launch of Artistic Crafts Days we have seen 18 countries praising Artistic Crafts in recent weeks. It is a true ‘Craft Spring’ that we are witnessing, bringing peope of all ages and socioeconomic categories together. London Craft Week is the ideal platform on which to build this momentum and to foster the promotion of crafts on a global scale”
Noted names from the arts, fashion and luxury industries, as well as famous faces, celebrated the week’s opening and enjoyed the live demonstrations. These ranged from Prince and Princess von Ratibor, Lord Rumi Verjee CBE, artists Martino Ganper and Francis Upritchard chef Skye Gyngell, fashion designers Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Caroline Issa, Rupert Sanderson, Ozwald Boateng and interior designers Sophie Conran and Nina Campbell. Other respected names in the arts and government included Justine Simons from the Mayor’s Office and Charles Saumarez-Smith, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy.
Highlights of the evening included the inaugural London Craft Week medal, created by Vacheron Constantin, for ‘Outstanding Creatitivy and Craftsmanship’ being presented to Alison Britton. Vacheron Constantin was proud to present its latest collection, Métiers d’Art Elégance Sartoriale,which pays homage to fine tailoring and well known British fabric patterns. This unique addition to the Métiers d’Art collection showcases the encounter between the custodian of time and style and the Maison’s expertise.
From 3 – 7 May the second edition of London Craft Week will showcase exceptional craftsmanship from around the world through a programme of over 130 events across the city, featuring hidden workshops and unknown makers alongside celebrated masters, famous studios, galleries, shops and luxury brands.
Visitors will see world-class fragrances being developed scent by scent, diamonds being cut & polished, porcelain being hand painted, silver being shaped, glass being blown and Chinese calligraphy being performed live. All against the backdrop of the vitality, variety and serendipity of London from Selfridges to Chelsea Physic Garden, from Mayfair to SE27.
An invitation-only VIP programme is run alongside the main programme with a small number of one-off and intimate experiences, including handling objects from museum collections, special access to private residences and exclusive dinners, including a collector’s talk at the Vacheron Constantin boutique, hosted by a watch expert from Phillips Auction House.
About London Craft Week
London Craft Week is a new annual event which showcases exceptional craftsmanship through a journey-of-discovery programme featuring hidden workshops, lesser known makers and highly specialised skills alongside famous shops, galleries and luxury brands.
Founded on the ethos of making, London Craft Week aims to introduce the talent, people and techniques behind beautifully made things to a wider audience. They will be able to experience craft not just as static branded objects in smart shops but understand the context of how they were made, why they are special and even have a try themselves.
London Craft Week is independent, not-for-profit and supported by founding partner Vacheron Constantin and strategic partners the Mayor of London, the Crafts Council, Walpole and the Heritage Crafts Association. www.londoncraftweek.com
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