Fine Cell Work has a pop-up shop next door to Pentreath & Hall as part of London Design Week.  Do support this pioneering and progressive cause.   

Fine Cell Work trains prisoners to do commercial needlework in their cells, and textiles training in prison workshops to foster hope, discipline and employability.  Working in 30 prisons across the UK, they work with 250 prisoners at any one time. Work has been exhibited by the V&A, commissioned by English Heritage and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince of Wales.

Over to Fine Cell Work to tell you about its latest pop up.

‘Pentreath & Hall rent out this pop-up space to like-minded, creatives and makers with a curiosity for the world of shop keeping and they have generously donated the space to FCW.

Pentreath & Hall is one of the most unusual and exciting shops in London and we are honoured to have this opportunity to be next door to them for a short while. For many visitors it is a destination but for some, the tiny shop on Rugby Street is a place discovered unexpectedly, tucked away in a quiet street of beautiful early Georgian houses in one of the loveliest hidden corners of London and amongst one of London’s finest communities of shops & restaurants.

17 and 17a Rugby Street is a pair of glossy black painted Victorian shops, surrounded by history and personality. Immediately opposite, at number 18, is a townhouse that was once the home of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. Steps away are the friendly, independent cobbles of Lambs Conduit Street and its unique mix of appealing and engaging retailers including Darkroom, Folk, Aesop, Persephone Books, Oliver Spencer, J Crew, The People’s Supermarket, The Lamb and Noble Rot.

We will have a selection of our hand-stitched cushions, quilts and giftware on display and for sale at the shop. Do come by to look around and say hello.’

Open Monday to Saturday 12 - 24 September, 11am – 6pm.

www.finecellwork.co.uk
​

It’s incredible to think that over the next two years, wannabe entrepreneurs will launch up to 3.4m pop-up shops across the UK.  I am all for these outfits who give creatives a real shop window on this consumer world of ours.  My issue is that by the time the word gets out they have often popped off. I guess that’s the point.
 
One not to be missed is Fine Cell Work’s Christmas pop-up at 34 Great Windmill Street, London W1D 7LR open until 22 December, Monday to Saturday 10am – 7pm. The shop is supported by Kit Kemp, trustee, huge supporter and one of the collaborators of this pioneering prison charity and social enterprise.

“Embroidery requires a lot of heart, which inspired the heart-shaped oak-leaf design. This is what Fine Cell Work is all about helping prisoners in a constructive way – and I’m thrilled to support them.” 
- Kit Kemp
 
Just around the corner from Kit Kemp’s Ham Yard Hotel is Fine Cell Work’s pop-up. Discover Kit Kemp’s exclusive soft furnishings in the form of her Fine Cell Work collaborations - cushions and lavender bags that make perfect presents that keep on giving for Christmas.  Her ‘Heart of Oak’ design reflects her joyful sense of colour and love of embroidery. Other interior designer collaborators include Ben Pentreath, Melissa Wyndham, John Stefanidis while Daisy de Villeneuve vintage art cushions head fashionable line.
 
The Christmas pop-up has a great selection of hand-stitched cushions in fabulous themes. There are also aprons, lavender bags, decorations made from British wool and beautifully embroidered Sway bags and even cross-stitched Christmas cards.
 
Time, love and care go into making each item. They are produced in British prisons as part of Fine Cell Work’s rehabilitation programme that teaches needlepoint and embroidery to 450 prisoners each year, encouraging them to come out with new employable skills and the hope of a better future.  
 
Pop into Fine Cell Work
34 Great Windmill Street, London W1D 7LR
Tel:  020 7931 9998
 
Christmas gifts and decorations also available online