LONDON CRAFT WEEK (3-7 May) is an annual event that showcases exceptional craftsmanship through a journey-of-discovery programme featuring hidden workshops and unknown makers alongside celebrated masters, famous studios, galleries, shops and luxury brands.

I write a few paragraphs each year about London Craft Week (LCW) but third time around I think this needs to extend to a good few pages as this timely show has grown beyond all expectations. The classy brochure landed this week with 120 pages covering over 200 events, which are gathered together in one place for one magical week.  Here’s a quick edit.
 
Gilding first captured my imagination when reading about Clare Mosley’s Parisian apartment in Elle Decoration.  I wanted to move in with her Eglomise glass gilded objects.  If you want to explore gilding at LCW then head to OCHRE on Thursday 4 May, 3.30-4.30pm where Helen Chislett is in conversation with OCHRE and master gilder Katharine Knight. Katharine shows the stages of traditional water gilding and gold leaf technique on OCHRE’s new Surya light. This is the most beautiful and skillful of all the applied gold leaf techniques. The light has a hand-turned green oak shade where the natural cracks of the timber enhanced by slithers of 22-carat gold inspired by the ancient art of Kintsugi.
 
If you have a passion for process and in particular the lost-wax casting technique then you have something in common with Christopher and Nicola Cox, who continue to push the boundaries of materials: bronze; silver; wrought iron; blown glass and cast stone. These designer-makers talk to journalist Henrietta Thompson on Wednesday 3 May at 5pm, discussing how to commission handmade lighting and furniture.  Take a design journey from the inspirations, original drawings and artisan techniques to the finished limited-edition piece.
 
Why slow design matters is answered at FRONT who believe that waiting a few months for a bespoke rug is something to be celebrated. Discover the techniques, materials and processes behind the most sought after rugs in the world. Writer and author Emma Crichton-Miller and FRONT’s Creative Director Aigars Zelmenis discuss how to commission handmade rugs by award-winning designers Jan Kath, Michaela Schleypen and Zoe Luyendijk on Thursday 4 May, 6.30 -7.30pm.
 
Design writer Barbara Chandler works with leading creative agency Design-Nation to present an exhibition of work by over twenty of their members. The exhibition runs from 4-7 May and is themed around marks and tools of the maker. It includes Margo Selby’s woven artworks.  Don’t miss Barbara’s in conversation with Margo Selby, Michael Ruh and Hannah Tounsend.
 
Margo Selby is a champion of British craft whose experimental approach to woven textiles has won her world acclaim.  One area that Margo is most excited by is her ‘paintings with yarn’. These are hand-woven artworks using a technique called Lampas, which she learnt at Atelier National D’Art Textile in Paris. Recently the scale and ambition of these designs has developed into larger scale framed artworks. Each piece displays her fascination with the interaction between colour, proportion, texture and weave.
 
Neisha Crosland’s distinctive designs for textiles, wallpaper, rugs, flooring, tiles, homes and fashion, have won her international fame. At LCW she talks pattern to Lucie Hague, founder of online platform Beyond Bespoke, and takes guests on a special behind-the scenes tour of her private studio, garden and home. Glean an insight into the evolution of a pattern, from an idea through the creative process to the finished product and receive a signed copy of her new book ‘Life of a Pattern’ on Thursday 4 May, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm.
 
In her story in Sunday times Home, Katrina Burroughs commented that ‘in the era of “buying less but better” craft is king.’ 
 
Fall under the spell of the handmade here
 

Some things in my interior life are too good to miss and the Margo Selby sample is one of them. The date is 13- 17 April and the venue is the Clerkenwell Gallery, London EC1. Margo Selby devotees, pattern lovers and weavers all rejoice that the leading hand-woven textile designer and champion of British craft is in town.

Margo Selby is a woven textile design company that produces exceptional fabrics, home and fashion accessories. Come and explore a treasure trove of interior and fashion samples that aren’t just timeless but collectables too. This is a one-off opportunity to shop the range of development samples and hundreds of items selling for up to 75% off.

Products include Margo Selby trademark scarves,​ cushions and jackets as well as​ accessories, throws, shoes and a ​selection of sample rugs. There will also be fabric off-cuts and remnants for £10 per 100g – there is a huge amount to choose from so you can collect some exquisite remnants for your own projects.

Opening Times: 
Monday 13th April 4pm-8pm 
Tuesday 14th April 10am-7pm 
Wednesday 15th April 10am-7pm 
Thursday 16th April 10am-7pm 
Friday 17th April 10am-3pm 

margoselby.com
Twitter: @margoselby

The fashionable home has come of age. Fashionable brands branch out into homes and interiors take inspiration from the catwalks. This collaborative spirit is catching and is shared amongst like-minded brands.

Latest creative collisions include Barbara Hulanicki for Graham & Brown, Louis Vuitton and Cassina, Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little and the many fashioner designers who bring their style to The Rug Company.

Now here is another match tailored in heaven courtesy of two leading ladies of the cloth.

Interiors and fashion collide in a capsule collection that sees Katherine Hooker’s beautifully cut jackets handmade in de Le Cuona’s beautifully woven fabrics. Only the finest fabrics are used to make these tailored, timeless pieces.

Bernie de Le Cuona’s name is synonymous with unique fabric such as her signature gutsy raw linens, fine wool paisley, couture cashmere and silky velvet. Katherine Hooker is a British company that has been hitting the nail on the head of luxe-minimal for eleven years.  Both have shared desire for uniqueness and an appreciation of artisan authenticity.

This exciting new collaboration is launched at a tailor-made shopping and cocktail party at de Le Cuona’s new outpost on the Pimlico Road, from 6-8pm on Tuesday 2 December.

You can even order a custom Katherine Hooker de Le Cuona couture jacket in time for Christmas and explore de Le Cuona’s Autumn Winter Crocodile and Cashmere accessories collection.

Call 020 7730 0944 to book a place.

de Le Cuona
44 Pimlico Road
London SW1

delecuona.com

katherinehooker.com