Visit these Walpole Members at London Craft Week 2023

From Anabela Chan to Sunspel via dunhill and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, see all the events being hosted by Walpole Members and our current crop of Walpole Brands of Tomorrow at London Craft Week in the capital over the coming days.

See the complete London Craft Week 2023 programme here.

Tales of Trash to Treasures

Exhibition: 8th May 2023 to 13th May 2023, 10.30am to 6.30pm

Anabela Chan Joaillerie invites you to discover ‘Tales of Trash to Treasures’ — a story of fine jewellery creations using recycled and refined aluminium from drink cans as the base metal, paired with scintillating laboratory-grown and created gemstones. 

The innovative use of recycled aluminium in fine jewellery comes as a result of two years of research, trial and error. With an alchemy of precious, natural and manmade materials, Anabela combines elegant sculptural forms with dream-like romanticism and thought-provoking narratives.

Every story begins by hand-carving the designs in wax before casting in parts, then assembling, polishing and engraving in meticulous detail. Every stone is carefully selected for its brilliance and colour; then cut, faceted, polished and set painstakingly by hand using traditional artisan techniques.

By taking waste aluminium drink cans as the base metal, the cans are cut up into small 1.5cm squares, then melted at approximately 600C (the colours printed on the outside of the cans disappear in the heat). Through a process of refining it to overcome the impurities, the molten aluminium is then poured into ingots (bars of metal cooled from the melted and refined aluminium), ready for casting. From the ingots onwards, similar to gold pebbles and bars, the process is the same as working with precious metals in jewellery, where Anabela is able to create miniature sculptures through the ancient artisanal process of lost-wax casting.

More information and book here.

Asprey Studio presents Asprey Bugatti

Exhibition: 8th May 2023 to 14th May 2023, 10.30am to 5pm | Talk: 11th May 2023, 1pm to 2pm

Discover the latest Asprey Studio creations — a new dimension to the 242-year-old luxury emporium. Explore the process of how the collection was created from start to finish and learn how Asprey Studio works with new technologies and new production materials to create exceptional pieces.

Two collections are showcased from Asprey Bugatti, by the Asprey Studio. The first is the La Voiture Noire collection, a series of 261 sculptures with unique artwork, the second the Asprey Bugatti Egg. The Asprey Bugatti Egg is a new collection that brings together the rich creativity of the Bugatti family and Asprey’s heritage in exceptional craftsmanship, using the latest production techniques and materials. The Asprey Bugatti Egg is showcased with talks by artist on how it was created. Visit aspreystudio.com for more information.

On Thursday 11 May at 1pm, discover the process of creating the Asprey Bugatti La Voiture Noire collection and the upcoming Asprey Bugatti Egg Collection in a lunchtime discussion with Ali Walker, Chief Creative Officer of Asprey Studio.

Hear about the relationship between the NFT produced as a digital twin of the physical objet, and how each is made. Champagne will be served and the talk will be followed by a Q&A session.

More information and book here.

Aiveen Daly at British Pullman and Taylor Howes

Open house: 9th May 2023, 11am to 6pm | 10th May 2023 to 12th May 2023, 9am to 6pm

Aiveen Daly, one of London’s leading specialist textile artists, will showcase her beautifully intricate work on board the British Pullman as part of a VIP journey during London Craft Week.

The British textile artist and the work of her eponymous studio is also showcased by Taylor Howes during the week. Aiveen founded her studio in 2006 and works with flawless precision and individual specialist techniques with a wide range of textiles, including silk, wool and leather. Her soft, meditative style lends an almost ethereal quality to her work with delicate artworks that are both incredibly detailed and highly tactile, featuring exquisite embroidery, beadwork and sculptural leatherwork, all made in London.

More information and book here.

Crafting Chelsea: Walking Tour of Sloane Street

Tour: 13th May 2023, 11.30am

Chelsea has long been home to a fascinating array of characters who have honed its unique personality — from the wide-scale vision for the neighbourhood and its buildings, and the architects and artisans who made them, to the flamboyant individuals who commissioned and inhabited them. Join a walking tour led by Kira Charatan from Cadogan, who explores the craftsmanship inherent in the neighbourhood’s past and how it is shaping an exciting future.

Pioneering artisanal making through championing individuality of architectural style, the New Queen Anne ‘Pont Street Dutch’ architecture, so synonymous with the locale, focuses on carved brickwork, mouldings and the finest materials and detail. Drawing inspiration from the artisan-focused Arts & Crafts movement for motifs and embellishments and encompassing the creativity of visionary (often bohemian) patrons, the area has been shaped by interwoven influences and skills, which resonate through the years.

More information and book here.

Rooted: Zena Holloway at de Le Cuona

Exhibition: 8th May 2023 to 13th May 2023 (check website for individual timings)

Exploring the future of grown materials, craft and art, ‘Rooted’ showcases the synergies between Zena Holloway’s innovative sculptures and wall hangings grown from wheatgrass root and de Le Cuona’s natural textiles woven from flax. Exclusively for London Craft Week, Zena has created pieces inspired by de Le Cuona’s organic colour palette and natural linen textiles. 

Zena Holloway is a photographer, maker and material innovator. She cultivates sustainable sculpture from grass root and in doing so takes an intuitive leap into the future to imagine a material world that is grown, not made. de Le Cuona is rooted in nature. Founder and CEO Bernie de Le Cuona grew up in South Africa and the natural world has always been at the heart of what she does. The soul of the company lies in the unique tactility of its interior textiles coupled with a deep commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.

Zena started her career as an underwater photographer and became increasingly concerned with the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans. It was then she came across the roots of a willow tree growing in her local river. The tangled root looked like textile and she asked herself: what if we could grow fabrics from seed? 

In ‘Rooted’, Zena pairs the delicate root structures of her textile art pieces with an experimental approach to natural pigments, from madder and lac to cutch and gallnut, to create stunning and truly original pieces.

More information and book here.

The Art of the Aquarium

Demonstration: 12th May 2023, 1pm to 3pm

Originally launched in 1949, the Aquarium Lighter has since become an icon from the House. These beautiful collectors’ items, combine dunhill’s heritage with a contemporary twist. Take in the hand carving process with Zaim Kamal and speak with the craftswoman who delicately hand paints each piece, meaning no two pieces will be the same. Preview the three new limited editions pieces, crafted to mark the 130th anniversary of the House.

More information and book here.

Bespoke Tailoring Demonstration

Demonstration: 11th May 2023, 5pm to 6:30pm

Experience the Alfred Dunhill Bespoke tailoring service and meet the team who take key silhouettes and personalise them perfectly for clients. Will Adams, dunhill’s Director of Bespoke Menswear will demonstrate key parts of the custom process offered by the House. View modern-day and archive patterns as well as formal tailoring.

More information and book here.

Exclusive Preview of Alfred Dunhill Case of Delights & History in Leather

Drinks reception: 10th May 2023, 5pm to 6.30pm

Enjoy an exclusive preview of Alfred Dunhill Case of Delights. Zaim Kamal, the designer behind the creation will highlight the disciplines and the many facets of dunhill craftsmanship and hedonism. Meet Attilio Rebuglio Head of Design for Leather Design who will take you through creation of the 1893 Harness, dunhill’s most elevated leather goods family, which represents the House’s heritage in bridlery.

More information and book here.

dunhill Archive Exhibition: Pillars of Elegance & Craft

Exhibition: 10th May 2023 to 13th May 2023, 10am to 7pm

We welcome visitors to Bourdon House during London Craft Week to discover dunhill’s storied history and experience the House’s expert craftsmanship first-hand, across tailoring, leather, and hard luxury. Explore archive pieces that showcase dunhill’s heritage in British elegance and exclusively preview new pieces created to celebrate the 130th anniversary.

A curated gallery of dunhill products showcases the innovative, hedonistic, luxuriously indulgent heritage and craft of the House. The pieces selected and their manner of presentation are the epitome of elegance, purpose, and personal luxury.

More information and book here.

Colour is King: Edward Bulmer presents ‘Hidden Layers’

Exhibition: 9th May 2023 to 12th May 2023, 9:30am to 6pm and 13th May 2023, 10am to 5pm

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint showcases textile artist Mary Norden’s ‘Hidden Layers’ exhibition. Mary uses an eclectic mix of old fabrics, combining them, just as one would mix paints, to create pictures, both landscapes and still-life, that convey stillness, a quiet moment and a sense of the passing of time. The title of the series, ‘Hidden Layers’, refers to the old fabrics used, most of which are not normally seen – linings and backings for curtains, coats, bedcovers, and even carpets.

Edward will be signing his beautiful book, ‘The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House’, at the new flagship store as part of the Pimlico Rd Late event. Please join Edward and the team for a drink, a signed copy and to see the beautiful work of Mary Norden.

More information and book here.

Truefitt & Hill: Meet the Master Barbers

Masterclass: 9th May 2023, 6pm to 9pm

Founded in London in 1805, Truefitt & Hill is recognised as the world’s oldest male grooming brand. The craft of shaving is something their master barbers have honed to perfection. Learn how to look your very best at their flagship St James’s store while enjoying a signature cocktail from Eight Lands, an organic vodka and gin brand distilled at the impressive Glenrinnes Distillery.

For generations, fathers have shown their sons how to shave, but occasionally bad habits can be passed on. As such, the adage that ‘barber knows best’ is something of a mantra at Truefitt & Hill, and one that leaves their clientele with their best face forward. Once learned, the craft of shaving can easily be applied to your everyday grooming regime.

Truefitt & Hill’s long history is irrevocably intertwined with that of the British Isles. They are mentioned as wigmakers to HM King George III in the works of Thackeray, and Charles Dickens also referenced the brand. During the early Victorian era, their name was proudly reflected on Tallis’s Street Views of London as ‘Hairdressers to the Queen’. Truefitt & Hill has had the rare privilege of serving the Royal Family for over two centuries, comprising nine consecutive reigns, an unblemished tradition of which they are immensely proud. 

More information and book here.

Joséphine de Staël in Collaboration with Floris

Exhibition: 8th May 2023 to 14th May 2023 (check website for individual timings)

Paris-trained jeweller and Royal College of Art alumnus Joséphine de Staël presents a jewellery collection inspired by Floris’s floral perfumes and the heritage of this prestigious fragrance house. The collection includes pieces to reflect the most popular floral fragrances: lily of the valley and cherry blossom charms, as well as jasmine, rosebud, mulberry and fig necklaces and brooches. All jewels are hand-carved in wax by Joséphine, cast in silver or gold and hand-finished in the UK.

Joséphine trained as a jeweller at the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie while researching her PhD on Parisian fine jewellery (Royal College of Art/ Victoria & Albert Museum, 2020). She specialises in the techniques of lost-wax casting and vitreous enamel. Joséphine is mentored by the most renowned wax model maker in Paris, who has a lifetime’s experience producing jewellery for the Parisian haute couture houses. She discovered the art of enamel in Limoges and trained with the world’s best artisans in Tbilisi and San Francisco. Joséphine has just returned from Tokyo University of the Arts and is currently researching and writing about Japanese jewellery and enamel. Through her eponymous brand, Joséphine de Staël seeks to fuse French and Japanese jewellery techniques to create timeless jewels that reflect the spirit of the English countryside, where she now lives and works.

More information and book here.

Fortnum & Makers: Masterclass and Demonstration

Masterclass: 9th May 2023, 6.30pm to 8pm | Demonstration: 11th May 2023, 10am to 6.30pm

As a British institution since 1707, Fortnum & Mason continues to celebrate British-based designers and craftspeople. Those who are keeping tradition alive; those who are innovating new methods; those who just make beautiful things that fill customers with joy!  Fortnum & Mason host two events this London Craft Week.

On Tuesday, Jess Wheeler, a designer and artist based in North Wales shows you how to transform recycled sheet brass and wire into beautiful, delicate everlasting leaves and flowers. Booking is required for this Masterclass. Jess is also making exclusive pieces for Fortnum’s to be sold on the 1st Floor as part of the Fortnum & Maker’s collection.

On Thursday, Natasha Hulse, a textile designer by training but now venturing into other products, both hard and soft – whilst still working on bespoke projects for the likes of Kit Kemp and Wicklewood – will be doing live demonstrations and available for Q&A throughout the day.

Also on Thursday, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the work of illustrator and womenswear designer Sabina Savage and admire some of her beautiful drawings.

More information and book here.

Craft a Unique Bag with Halfpenny London

Workshop: 10th May 2023, 9am to 11am, 12pm to 2pm, and 3pm to 5pm

Halfpenny London is passionate about the wonder of craft, the joy in individual expression and the quest towards sustainability. Visit their atelier for an exclusive workshop which combines all of these passions.

Halfpenny London is proud to design with a conscience and, for many years, has been taking the waste from their bigger, statement pieces and repurposing it into exquisite embellishments. For this workshop, they’ve created beautiful bags using offcuts of hero Halfpenny London textiles, ready to be customised with trim, lace, embroidery or beading, all guided and supported by their team of expert seamstresses. Let your imagination run wild and craft a unique bag to treasure forever.

More information and book here.

Lock & Co. x John Lobb: Open House and Talks

Tour: 10th May 2023, 6pm to 8pm

Lock & Co. celebrates the unique heritage and craft of St James’s Street with bespoke bootmaker and fellow artisans John Lobb. These are two of the oldest family-owned businesses still in existence, with a combined history stretching back over 500 years.

For this exclusive evening, both brands open their doors to the public, offering a fascinating insight into the world’s oldest hat shop and the craft of bespoke footwear, with talks from in-house artisans as well as family custodians.

More information and book here.

886 by The Royal Mint: Meet the Makers Cabinet Team

Open house: 12th May 2023, 10am to 6pm 

Meet Odin Ardagh and Noah Bier of London design studio Makers Cabinet, discovering the origins of their brand and design approach. The Makers Cabinet team will showcase its unique collaboration with 886 by the Royal Mint, launching at its boutique in Burlington Arcade this week, in celebration of London Craft Week.

Makers Cabinet’s unique collection of creative tools, made exclusively in precious metals for the 1,100-year-old company, entails a re-creation of three of Makers Cabinet’s precision-engineered signature tools, design-adapted and remade in bronze: the 886 Sharpener, the 886 Ruler and the 886 Iris, an aperture circle drawing tool.

Manufactured at The Royal Mint’s headquarters in Wales, these luxurious but entirely functional tools for desks, studios and the home are a unique combination of contemporary design and the ancient craft and skills for which the UK’s oldest maker has been renowned.

“We’re proud to be part of London Craft Week,” says Noah Bier of Makers Cabinet. “Makers Cabinet finds unique answers to creative problems with our considered and functional stationery. These qualities were elevated in this unique collaboration via Dominic Jones’ distinctive creative direction and The Royal Mint’s manufacturing capabilities”.

More information and book here.

Martini Masterclass Hosted by Sipsmith and Designer Richard Brendon

Masterclass: 9th May 2023, 6.30pm to 8pm

Two masters of their craft come together to deliver the ultimate masterclass in martinis. Sipsmith and glassware designer Richard Brendon deliver a workshop on mastering the craft of the martini.

Richard takes you through the craft of producing his exquisite cut-crystal range, while Sipsmith help you rediscover the lost art of throwing a martini (not shaken or stirred, contrary to popular belief). Following this, go on a tour of the home of Sipsmith Gin before tasting a delicious Sipsmith Gin martini in one of Richard’s exceptional martini glasses, which you are welcome to take home with you.

More information and book here.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Celebrates Bespoke

Exhibition: 9th May 2023, 10am to 6pm, and 13th May 2023, 10am to 6pm

The name Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is synonymous with unrivalled luxury, refined elegance and exacting levels of craftsmanship. This exhibition at the brand’s Mayfair residence showcases remarkable works of craft created by the marque’s ‘Bespoke Collective’ of artisans and designers.

The theme of this year’s exhibition is ‘Location’, with particular focus on the Côte d’Azur. Although many miles from the home of Rolls-Royce on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, this lavish strip of coastline, with its breathtaking views, stunning scenery and deep hues has always been a great source of inspiration for Rolls-Royce artisans. There’s another reason the area resonates: in 1912, Sir Henry Royce built a villa, La Mimosa, in the village of Le Canadel, where he subsequently spent every winter until his death in 1933.

More information and book here.

Sunspel and Jago Poynter

Exhibition: 8th May 2023, 12pm to 5pm, 9th May 2023 to 13 May 2023, 10am to 6pm, and 14th May 2023, 12pm to 5pm

Clay and cloths collide in Duke of York’s Square. A celebration of British ceramics. Sunspel hosts local Chelsea potter Jago Poynter at their Chelsea store.

More information and book here.