My top events and showrooms for CDW 2017
I was asked by CDW to give my top 'must visit events, and showrooms' this year at Clerkenwell Design week 2017, so I decided I would start with a "wool trail'.
This was inspired because I am currently working on an exciting project with the Yorkshire Sculpture Park which will culminate in an exhibition from Sheep to Seat next March, but more on that later... (so sign up for our news or follow me on the social channels to keep up to date ;-))
I was also part of the Great Recovery residency 2 years ago, run by the RSA, and we staged a guerilla event out side Camira's old Showroom on Britton Street, during CDW14, reupholstering a sofa that we had saved from landfill in order to research and address the bulky waste epidemic we have in this Country. We invited the public to engage and make buttons with us, as we stuffed the cushions with pre consumer wool waste and Andrea from Urban Upholstery showed off his amazing craftsmanship as he stitched the main base together.
So CAMIRA is where i shall begin:
Camira fabrics are used in a vast array of commercial interiors, education, healthcare, retail, and for passenger transport they make over 8 million metres of fabric a year, in the UK and in Lithuania, so you’re sure to have touched upon their fabrics either at work, at play or on the move.
At this years event Camira are turning litres of water into meters of wool yarn raising money for 'Just a drop'
Since the launch of their Synergy collection in 2016, Camira has partnered with Just a Drop to help deliver accessible, clean and safe water where it is needed most. For every metre of fabric sold from the collection, Camira makes a donation to a project in Kenya.
At their showroom you will be able to
Immerse yourself in their water inspired showroom, with dynamic drapes, & displays,
They will also be running spinning demos, every day for the duration for your chance to win by spinning the longest yarn, i believe - so go and check it out!
Have a go yourself and spin to win!
8 & 10 Brewhouse Yard, London EC1V 4DG
Moving on to ADDITIONS AT CLERKENWELL
Beatrice Larkin’s exquisite textiles caught my eye, she is expanding her Monochrome Series which plays with structures, patterns and scales to create a softened take on geometric textile design. she has six reversible weaves; Rope, Stamp, Lines, Steps, Blocks and Chevron which are all available and on show as throws and an accompanying cushion.
After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2013, Beatrice Larkin established the label with a desire to create design-led textiles for the home.
Her woven fabrics are characterised by inky line drawings and broken geometrics, celebrating an organic approach to a clean modernist design with a pared down palette.
beatrice and her team design and sample their textiles in their London studio and weave them in Mills around Lancashire from the finest quality merino wool.
Deadgood
I first got to know the team when they partnered with Lee broom in 2011 here at Clerkenwell we were in the Farmiloe Building - which is where i launched my wallpaper collections.
Deadgood design, develop and distribute modern British furniture, lighting and interior ‘Products with Personality’. For the freshest commercial projects on the planet.
So, this season they have linked up with Breather ( a network of beautiful spaces that you can access across the globe via their website)
and throughout the day on Wednesday 24th, their friends at Bute Fabrics will be demonstrating a live weaving showcase within the Deadgood x Breather penthouse. The session will be led by Bute’s resident designer and colourist Rachel Evison who will demonstrate the process of hand-weaving.
So from tomorrow there is the possibility of joining in on the weaving craft and to sample some tasty delights from the wee small isle of Bute.
Bute Fabrics | ‘Weaving Workshop’
Workshop running : 11am - 4pm
24th May 2017
The Penthouse, 80 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1
back to Additions
Alhambra Tiles was established in 2009, they source and supply authentic Spanish tiles for high-end commercial and private projects worldwide.
They say they can fulfil almost any bespoke brief, including brand new colours, brand new shapes and tiles for heritage projects.
Here they are launching a bespoke encaustic tile designed by celebrated designer Rob Lowe, aka Supermundane, he is an artist, a graphic designer, typographer, illustrator and writer with over 20 years experience in the creative industry. His signature graphic bold often mesmeric drawings have been published and exhibited worldwide. In 2012 he debut a new direction of pure line and colour, exploring depth, movement and optical effects.
His practice is defined by a distinctive use of colour, line and simplicity which can be seen through all his different disciplines from typeface design to his personal works through to these tiles featured here
CLERKENWELL LONDON will be hosting many events this year at 155 Farringdon Road,
Now known as a multi-disciplinary store, spa, fashion boutique, restaurant and event space I liked the sound of their pit stop massages, so look out for them when you visit!
but, I first came across Anthony Burrell with his Work Hard and Be Nice to People slogan that my kids secondary school in Haggerston have candidly adopted so I shall be popping in to see him at his screen printing workshop to say hello
and featured here is his collaboration with furniture designer Michael Marriott. They'll be selling screen-printed stools which I would say have a nod to Max Bill's Ulm stool from 1955, with an inspired take by Michael Marriott with his elastic strap for books - and Anthony’s slogans!
So go and see them for yourselves. I am also super intrigued to see ALUSID who will be showcasing their beautiful, sustainable surfaces made from recycled television screens that have been rescued from landfill! 
ALUSID are a spin out company from the University of Central Lancashire. The company was born from a research project led by Professor David Binns and Dr Alasdair Bremner that was originally funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
And finally
1st Floor
21-22 Great Sutton Street
EC1V 0DY
Abandoned Places – A new exhibition of stunning architectural photography by dutch photographer Roman Robroek.
empty derelict spaces, from swimming pools to hotel receptions
And they say they will also exhibiting original Banksys'
Together with these 2 shows there will be inspiring & intriguing educational talks covering:
Biophilic Design – Oliver Heath
Acoustics for the Agile Workspace
Unlocking the Code of Colour with Lighting