London Craft Week returns this May to remind us of the sheer pleasure of working with our hands. Over 240 makers, designers, brands, artists and galleries will put on over one hundred events across the city. Expect a plethora of workshops, demonstrations, and exhibitions which engage with a variety of different materials and techniques including wood carving, bronze casting, glassblowing and weaving.
LCW excels in exploring the notion of craftsmanship through unexpected lenses and this year, they invite you not only to discover crafts through touch, but also through taste and smell with immersive multisensory experiences such as perfume workshops, sake tastings and cheesemaking classes.
The programme's vast historical scope is also deeply impressive with events covering crafts across the ages. One day you might be discovering the ancient practices of Ottoman miniature painting, the next, you can be at a talk exploring the role of 3D printing in modern design.
As in previous years, the programme will have strong luxury ties with international brands such as Loewe, Christian Louboutin and Fortnum and Mason, as well as events in historical settings such as St Paul’s and the V&A and in newer creative hubs such as Coal Drops Yard.
With craftspeople from over 15 countries, there is a strong international presence in the programme this year. Learn about rich tradition of Portuguese leather-working, the delicate art of Japanese paper flowers or the sleek functionality of Scandinavian design. LCW allows you to discover the transformative effects of making and to broaden your understanding of what craftsmanship means for communities around the world.
Here are our highlights of the programme.
A Talk Celebrating Portuguese Craftsmanship at Christian Louboutin: Talk
9 May, 18:00 - 21:00, Christian Louboutin, 17 Mount Street, London, W1K 2RJ
To celebrate the launch of the new Portucaba Tote Bag, Christian Louboutin’s Mount Street boutique has invited Portuguese paint and lacquer expert Pedro da Costa Felgueiras and Tom Loxley from rakesprogress magazine to discuss colour, lacquer and leather-working in Portuguese craftsmanship.
Booking necessary via [email protected] 70 places. Free. Please click here for more information
Hats: Vivienne Westwood: Exhibition
8 May, 10:00–18:00, 9 May, 10:00 – 19:00, 10 May – 11 May, 10:00 – 18:00, Vivienne Westwood, 44 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2YL
Come celebrate the flamboyant and feathered world of British millinery at Vivienne Westwood’s flagship store in Mayfair which will showcase the brand’s outlandish hat archive.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information
ERDEM’s Personal Art Collection: Exhibition
8 May – 11 May, 10:00 – 18:00, ERDEM, 70 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2RA
Visit ERDEM’s flagship store to see Erdem Moralioglu’s personal art collection. The Canadian and Turkish fashion designer started collecting art in 2008 and has amassed an impressive collection of modern art and photography. Browse works by by Andy Warhol, Axel Geis and Jean Cocteau whilst enjoying a glass of champagne.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
The Weave Workshop at Anya Hindmarch: Workshop
9 May, 18:30 – 20:30, 11 May 11:00 – 13:00, Anya Hindmarch, 157–158 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9AB
Try your hand at weaving your own handbag at Anya Hindmarch’s Sloane Street store under the tutelage of the brand’s in-house craftspeople, who will demonstrate the weaving technique behind the stylish summer tote bags of the Neeson Collection.
Booking necessary via [email protected] 25 places. Free. Please click here for more information
In Conversation with Bremont: Talk
8 May, 18.30 – 20.30, 29 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2PE
Nick and Giles English founded Bremont in 2002 with a mission to create beautifully crafted pilot’s watches inspired by a love of flying historic aircraft. Join Nick English at the brand’s flagship boutique to hear him talk about what craftsmanship means to him and Bremont's role in the revival of British watchmaking.
Booking necessary via [email protected] 60 places. Free. Please click here for information
LOEWE Baskets Live Demonstration by Shizu Designs: Demonstration and open house
11 – 12 May, 41 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2RY
LOEWE will host specialist weaving demonstrations in their recently opened flagship in Mayfair. To reaffirm LOEWE's ongoing celebration of leatherworking and age-old craftsmanship, they've invited mother/daughter duo Shizu Designs to showcase traditional Japanese weaving techniques that they use to make hypnotic and tranquil forms.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for information
Mulberry: Craft and the Personal Touch: Drinks reception
9 May 19:00 – 21:00, 100 Regent Street, London, W1B 5SR
Mulberry is one of Britain's most loved luxury brands and is renowned for creating covetable arm candy. The brand invites you to sip cocktails and learn about the craft behind their newest bag, The Millie Tote, an elegant example of British leather design.
Booking necessary via [email protected] 50 places. Free. Please click here for information
Living Colours: Kasane – The Language of Japanese Colour Combinations at Japan House London: Exhibition
8 May – 11 May 10:00 – 18:00 and 12 May, 12:00 – 18:00, Japan House London, 101–111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
Discover the ancient natural dyeing techniques of Japan and the art of kasane – the creation of Japanese colour combinations. The exhibition profiles the 200-year-old family-run company based in Kyoto keeping this tradition alive. The Yoshioka family have been using natural materials such as flower petals, stalks, leaves, roots, tree bark to dye textiles for six generations.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
An Evening at The Italian Table at Maison Assouline: Drinks reception
9 May 18:00 – 21:00, Maison Assouline, 196A Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EY
To celebrate the launch of The Italian Table exhibition, the Italian Trade Agency and Confartigianato invite you to experience the warm hospitality of the Italian dinner table at Maison Assouline. Enjoy Italian food and wine in the flagship store of the luxury art book makers, which will host an installation of contemporary handcrafted tableware from 8 May to 11 May.
Booking necessary via [email protected] 70 places. Free. Please click here for more information
The Science and Art of Pottery: Taiwanese Ceramics Master Jui-Fang Hsueh: Exhibition
8 May - 11 May 10:00 – 18:00, 12 May 12:00 – 18:00, Tao Lin Studio, Noho Studios, 46 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7QA
This debut exhibition of Taiwanese ceramics artist Jui-Fang Hsueh is not to be missed. Throughout his 50-year career, Jui-Fang Hsueh has created some of Taiwan's most treasured contemporary artworks through an expert balance of chemistry and temperature.
Booking not necessary. Free. Please click here for more information.
Trading in the Midst of War: Talk
10 May 10:00 CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9SS
Edmund Le Brun and Flore de Taisne set up ISHKAR, an award-winning social enterprise, after living in Afghanistan for three years. They discuss their experiences with building a business which makes sure that ancient crafts are kept alive in war-torn countries.
Booking necessary. 40 places. £5. Please click here for more information.
Somerset House, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 1LA
Makerversity, London’s community of maker businesses and creative startups, is putting on a series of demonstrations, workshops and tours which explore the influence of digital innovation in modern crafts. Discover the possibilities of wearable tech and how handmade pieces and 3D printing can share an surprising commonality.
Demonstration, 11 May, 10:00, 11.30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00 and 17:00. Booking necessary. 20 places per session. £3, or £15 all sessions.
Workshop, 12 May 14:00 – 17:00, Booking necessary. 15 places, £10.
Tour, 12 May,17:00 – 18:00, Booking necessary 20 places. Free. Please click here for more information.
STORE Store Hosts: Fabric-Dyeing Workshops
9 May – 10 May, 14:00 – 20:00, 11 May –12 May, 13:00 – 18:00, STORE Store, Yard Space, Coal Drops Yard, London, N1C 4DQ
For the first time ever, LCW will come to Coal Drops Yard to shed light on this budding ecosystem of modern crafts. STORE in Coal Drops Yard will host a series of public dyeing workshops, run by some of the UK's most innovative designers, including science/fashion studio Unit Lab, who will demonstrate the art of ‘Electro Colour’ – printing with electricity.
Booking not necessary. 60 places per session. Free. Please click here for more information.
(Detail) Lucille Lewin, Aurora Echo, 2018, Porcelain
Young Masters Art Prize, The Resurgence of Ceramics:
Taking Over the Fine Art World: Talk
9 May, 18:00 – 19.30, The Arts Club, 40 Dover Street, London, W1S 4NP
The Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize is awarded by The Cynthia Corbett Gallery to celebrate excellence in contemporary ceramics. Mayfair's The Arts Club is hosting past winners Matt Smith and Lucille Lewin in conversation with curator Stephen Feeke and Craft Council's Natalie Melton. This event runs alongside the Young Masters ceramics exhibition at The Cynthia Corbett Gallery in Wimbledon running from 9 May to 13 May, open by appointment only.
Booking necessary. 40 places. £15. Please click here for more information.
Unearthing Natures Treasures and Commercial Complexities with Jeweller Ruth Tomlinson and Esteemed Guests: Talk
11 May 12:00 – 14:00, 10 Hatton Place, London, EC1N 8RU
Jeweller Ruth Tomlinson’s has dedicated two decades to creating ‘wearable treasures’ and has mastered the art of crafting beguiling pieces. A new exhibition showcases these modern heirlooms at her atelier from 8 May to 12 May. Join Tomlinson as she sheds light on her experience as a designer and learn about the inner-workings of the jewellery industry with a starry panel of speakers including Vanity Fair’s On Jewellery Editor Annabel Davidson and editor, writer and founder of podcast 'Material Matters' Grant Gibson. The talk includes a tour of the exhibition and a champagne reception.
Booking necessary, 30 places, £10. Please click here for more information.
The full programme of events is now available on the London Craft Week website. Please click here.
| What | London Craft Week 2019 |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| When |
08 May 19 – 15 May 19, Times vary |
| Price | £Prices vary |
| Website | Click here for more details |
