ART EXHIBITIONS - LONDON

Press Release

CRAFTED: MAKERS OF THE EXCEPTIONAL SHOWCASE

4 - 6 April 2013

All photos by Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

LONDON, UK - In celebration of outstanding British craftsmanship, Walpole British Luxury and Vacheron Constantin will host the first CRAFTED: MAKERS OF THE EXCEPTIONALShowcase for the public at Somerset House West Wing. From Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th April, a collection of 20 of Britains most talented and pioneering artisans will demonstrate their passion, dedication and expertise, 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 Britains finest craft businesses. From knitwear and jewellery to lapidary and glass blowing, the exhibitors include: Angus Ross, Breanish Tweed, Bailey Tomlin, Carr ducker, 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.

All photos by Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

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 Constantins 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.

Admission is free and there is no need to reserve tickets. For more information about the event please visit craftedshowcase.co.uk. 

All photos by Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

About Walpole British Luxury 

Founded in 1990 by flagship British companies including Chewton Glen, DAKS, Financial Times and William Grant & Sons, Walpole furthers the interests of the British luxury industry. Named after great British statesman, patron of the arts and promoter of overseas trade, Sir Robert Walpole, the organisation provides a strong voice for the finest British brands in todays competitive global luxury market.

Walpole promotes, develops and represents the British luxury industry in partnership with its members - over 180 of Britains most prestigious companies drawn from the fashion, retail, jewellery, food, drink, leisure, automotive and media sectors. Alfred Dunhill to Alexander McQueen, Boodles to Burberry, Clive Christian to Chivas Brothers, Ettinger to The Gleneagles Hotel, Glenmorangie, to Goodwood, Jimmy Choo to James Cropper Specialty Papers, Somerset House to Purdey, Savoir Beds to Silver Cross, Bremont to Thomas Pink, Vertu to Waterford, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton - an A to Z of internationally renowned and respected names, each bringing its own area of expertise and style to this most British of associations.

All photos by Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

Recognising that many luxury brands rely heavily on the work and experience of artists and craft makers, Walpole developed the mentorship programme, Crafted, in 2007 with support from The Princes Trust, Arts & Business and American Express. The programme provides one-to-one mentorship and a series of educational workshops for a small number of carefully selected craft makers from a wide range of disciplines. Crafted fosters a sense of entrepreneurialism and provides opportunities to help establishing craft businesses to grow, yet at the same time preserve their talents and unique skills to pass onto future generations of craft makers.

Following a rigorous selection process, the following craft makers have been selected as participants of the 2013 Walpole Crafted mentorship programme: Billy Lloyd, Daniel Spring, Gillies Jones, Jo Thorne, Method Studio, Out of the Dark, Robin Wood, Sabine Roemer and Shona Marsh.

For more information on Walpole please visit www.thewalpole.co.uk.

All photos by Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

About Vacheron Constantin 

Founded in Geneva in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the world's oldest watch manufacturer in continuous production for over 250 years. Founders of the spirit of technical, fine watchmaking; the people of Vacheron Constantin continue to design, develop and produce exceptional timepieces true to the brand's three fundamental pillars: perfectly mastered techniques, inspired and harmonious aesthetics and an extremely high level of finishing.

Pursuing its longstanding ties with the world of art and culture, Vacheron Constantin is committed to fostering Artistic Crafts that play such a key role in contemporary creativity, while highlighting the excellence achieved by combining these talents with those of design.

The brand is also a privileged partner of a number of cultural institutions such as the Opra National de Paris, the French Institut National des Matiers d'Art, the Barbier-Mueller Museum Cultural Foundation and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

For more information on Vacheron Constantin please visit www.vacheron-constantin.com.

Source: Somerset House

All photos by Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

CRAFTED: MAKERS OF THE EXCEPTIONAL SHOWCASE
Date: 4th  6th April 2013
Time: 10am  6pm
Location: Somerset House West Wing
Admission: Free for the public