Walpole British Luxury and and one of the world’s greatest watch brands, Vacheron Constantin wil host the first Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional Showcase at at Somerset House West Wing.
The showcase will be available to the public from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th April. On display will be a collection of 20 of Britain’s most talented and pioneering artisans demonstrating their expertise and passion, bringing to life the creative process, from exquisite and rare raw material to desirable and valuable finished work.
From the stitching on a calf-skin leather handbag to the intricate metalwork on a statement mirror, expert craftsmanship is at the heart of all luxury goods. The showcase offers a unique insight into the excellence of fine craft by elevating the time honoured expertise, intimate knowledge and captivating interactions between art, design and skill of the hand.
For the first time, Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional will bring together those who have been supported by Walpole British Luxury through the Crafted mentorship programme to give a glimpse into the inner workings of Britain’s finest craft businesses. Walpole British Luxury represents the interests of the membership of over 180 UK brands and institutions, including Burberry, Mulberry, Harrods, Jimmy Choo, Selfridges, Alexander McQueen, the V&A, Royal Opera House and the National Portrait Gallery.
From knitwear and jewellery to lapidary and glass blowing, exhibitors at the first Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional include: Angus Ross, Breanish Tweed, Bailey Tomlin, Carréducker, Cumbria Crystal, Shawstephens, Eloise Gray, Fair Isle Knitwear, Gaskell Quartz, Helen Amy Murray, Jacqueline Cullen, Jessica Poole, Mr Smith, Natasha Daintry, Ndidi Ekubia, Ptolemy Mann, Rothschild & Bickers, Sasha Wardell, Sophie Coryndon and Wayne Meeten.
Expressed in four simple themes – A craft perfected, A tradition preserved, A life devoted and A business nurtured – live demonstrations will give guests exclusive access to the essence of each craftsperson’s art. Vacheron Constantin’s Master Watchmaker will be present to demonstrate the rare skills that combine intricacy, prestige and elegance; along with enamellist Anita Porchet, the most renowned miniature enamel painter in the world.
Fine artistic craft is an integral part of the Vacheron Constantin brand, company CEO Juan-Carlos Torres, commented ‘For Vacheron Constantin, promoting arts and crafts professions is more than a commitment, it is a duty’. Chair of the Walpole Crafted programme Guy Salter, added, ‘The aim is to help craftsmen and women develop businesses that are strong, growing and sustainable in order to support themselves properly, do commercial justice to their outstanding skills, and crucially allowing them to pass these on’.
Since 1990, Walpole has been dedicated to supporting the British Luxury industry, ‘At Walpole British Luxury we understand that luxury without exceptionally talented makers or outstanding materials is an empty promise, hence our commitment to the preservation and development to the craftsmanship skills’ said Julia Carrick, Chief Executive of Walpole British Luxury.
Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional Showcase
Date: 4th – 6th April 2013
Time: 10am – 6pm
Location: Somerset House West Wing
Admission: Free for the public
Admission is free and there is no need to reserve tickets. For more information about the event please visit craftedshowcase.co.uk.
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