This October, London Craft Week returns to remind us of the sheer pleasure of slowing down and making objects by hand with a dizzying array of workshops, talks and exhibitions by some of the finest craftspeople working today. This year the focus will be on heritage crafts, endangered skills and sustainability in the fields of craft, art, design, fashion, luxury, food and beauty. The event will spotlight not only international makers, but will also celebrate an exciting range of British creatives with a Luxury British Craftsmanship Pavilion at Chelsea Barracks. The Pavilion will open with a talk by Ben Pentreath and Ben Johnson on Britain’s golden age of craftsmanship and its positive impact on the quality of our lives.
In total there will be a staggering 400 events, spread across the city, showcasing more than 350 makers from 31 countries. As in previous years, the programme will have strong ties with luxury and international brands. This year LCW's headline sponsors are Milanese leather artisans Serapian and British brand Purdey, which specializes in country and outdoor lifestyle and pursuits.
Here are our highlights of the programme.
In Good Company: Lucille Lewin and Nicole Farhi: exhibition
5 May, 6pm - 9pm, 78 Chiltern Street W1U 5AE
Friends Lucille Lewin (founder of Whistles) and Nicole Farhi (founder of eponymous lifestyle brand Nicole Farhi) both left the world of fashion to pursue careers in ceramics. The two women found the lockdowns a productive period and this exhibition will feature works made in the last 18 months in materials such as bronze, jesmonite, porcelain and glass, shown alongside earlier pieces in Lewin’s beautiful Victorian school house in Marylebone.
Booking necessary. Free. Please click here for more information
Crafting a Difference: Exhibition
4 - 10 Oct. 49 Belgrave Square SW1X 8QZ
This exhibition, opening at the Argentine Ambassador's official residence in the heart of Belgravia, will bring together over 200 works in ceramics, wood, glass, metal, textiles and paper by over 30 artists. These artworks will populate the building's historic rooms, offering an inspiring dialogue with the opulent interior.
Booking essential. Free. Please click here for more information
8 Oct, various times. Experimental Perfume Club, 53 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DG
The Experimental Perfume Club hosts an exclusive open-lab day at their lab-boutique in Seven Dials. Visits include a behind-the-scenes tour of the perfume laboratory. Learn how fragrances are made and sample some of the most-used ingredients of perfumery. Each visitor has the opportunity to create their own blend from the EPC fragrance collection, leaving with a luxury 8ml travel-size eau de parfum blended to their taste.
Booking necessary. £35. Please click here for more information.
Olivia von Halle and Jenny King Embroidery: demonstration and open house
Open House: 04–08 Oct, 10am–6pm, 09 Oct, 10am–4pm. Demonstration: 9 Oct, 10am–4pm. Olivia von Halle store, 190 Pavilion Road
SW3 2BF
Luxury modern design meets traditional techniques in the work of contemporary taste-makers Olivia von Halle and Jenny King. Exquisite embroidered panels from The Star-Crossed Dreamers Collection are on display at Olivia von Halle’s flagship store in Chelsea, alongside works created for Harewood House and ModeMuseum. A live demonstration in store, using Jenny’s hand-guided ‘Irish’ Singer sewing machine, provides an insight into this duo's techniques.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information
Our Rare Jewels: The Last Decade of Evolution by Pragnell: exhibition and demonstration
Exhibition: 4-9 Oct, 10am-6pm. Demonstration: 7 October 2021, 10am - 12pm, 2pm - 4pm. 14 Mount Street. W1K 2RF
Award-winning family-owned jewellers, Pragnell, is a purveyor of rare jewels, period jewellery, silver, luxury watches and iconic clocks. Through demonstrations, Pragnell will champion jewellery’s forgotten crafts. The exhibition will include a decade of unique pieces, including the Antrobus collection, inspired by the brand’s royal commission.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information
Weds 6- Sun 10, 10am-5pm. 62–66 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UD
An exhibition of new work by Elliot Walker, Bethany Wood and Laura Hart will showcase the best of modern glassblowing. Walker is star of the Netflix show Blown Away and will also be giving a live, virtual demonstration. Link below.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
Tristan Hoare Gallery Presents Cracked ft. Troy Town Shop: exhibition
05–09 Oct, 11am–6pm, 6 Fitzroy Square, W1T 5DX
Tristan Hoare Gallery is hosting an exhibition of ceramics by newcomers and experienced craftspeople who work clay by hand, rather than on the potter's wheel. The process demands fast decisions, as the clay dries quickly, producing highly dynamic sculptural works. The Troy Town Shop is offering ceramics from £30 to £300 and 60% of the proceeds go to supporting Troy Town’s non-for-profit enterprises.
Booking necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
The Significance of British Craft
The Heritage Crafts Association Red List of Endangered Crafts at Fortnum and Mason
Exhibition: 4 - 9 Oct, 10am – 7pm. 10 Oct 11.30 – 6pm. Demonstration: 8 Oct 12 –5pm The Arts Club, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly
W1A 1ER
The Heritage Craft Association has published its latest list of endangered crafts. Covid has had a significant impact and the number of endangered crafts now totals 134. But the HCA isn't about to sit back and do nothing. It is supporting makers, helping people build sustainable incomes from their traditional skills. Fortnum and Mason will be hosting the HCA's exhibition, and on 8 October there will be a variety of demonstrations.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
Spotlight on International Makers and Practices
Kusama Potters Project: Bringing Together 34 Free-Spirited Japanese Ceramicists: exhibition
5 Oct - 10 Oct 10am – 6pm, South Arcade, Islington Square, 116 Upper Street, London N1 1AB
The city of Kusama in Japan has a flourishing community of potters that formed in a post-war spirit of innovation and experimentation. This exhibition is the Kusama ceramicists' largest show outside Japan, and brings together 34 artists from the region, showcasing the freedom of expression inherent in their work.
Booking not necessary, Free. Please click here for more information.
Imagine the Im'possibilities: Bamboo: exhibition
4 Oct - 10 Oct 10.30am – 7pm, The Loft, Soho Works, 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA
Crafts on Peel presents an exhibition on the fascinating crafts associated with bamboo. The show will exhibit established and emerging artists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Expect conceptual masterpieces, mind-boggling sculptures and interactive installations.
Booking not necessary, Free. Please click here for more information.
Crafting a Sustainable Future
London Craft Week at Fabrica X: exhibition
4 Oct - 10 Oct 9am – 6pm, 9-10 October 10am – 6pm Fabrica X, The Mills Fabrica London, Cottam House, 36–40 York Way, N1 9AB
The Mills Fabrica is helping a new generation of emerging brands and start-ups that are pioneering sustainable techniques and materials. There will be a curated programme of demonstrations, workshops and retail experiences hosted at their new space in King’s Cross. An exhibition will showcase innovative design and you will be able to sample the technologies and clothes on offer. There will also be a premiere of the Mylo Consortium led by Bolt Threads, who make their patented mushroom leather for Adidas, Stella McCartney and Lululemon and a chance to scan your personalised, made-to-fit jeans.
Booking not necessary, Free. Please click here for more information.
| What | London Craft Week 2021 |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| When |
04 Oct 21 – 10 Oct 21, 12:00 AM |
| Price | £Prices vary |
| Website | Click here for more details |
