Chelsea Crafts Fair 2005
15 of Scotland’s leading and emerging designer-makers have been chosen to take part in Chelsea Crafts Fair, Europe’s finest craft fair, held in London from 11 to 23 October 2005.
Two of Scotland’s most exciting new jewellery designers, Alison Macleod, 25, and Susan Kerr, 24, have been chosen for a second year. Both graduates of Edinburgh College of Art, Susan transforms imagery from fashion and wallpaper into jewellery; the quality of her designs led to an invitation last year to attend a reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace to celebrate British Design. Alison, who translates the memories of antique jewellery into contemporary designs using precious materials and objects of sentimental value such as bra bits, includes actress Sienna Miller amongst her clients.
Some designer-makers have been invited to take part for the first time and include:
- knitted textile artist Claire Ferguson, who formerly worked for Calvin Klein in New York, now creates unconventional three dimensional designs in cashmere and lambswool;
- basketmaker Lise Bech who has developed a range of organic sculptural pod shapes; and
- jeweller Hannah Louise Lamb whose work is inspired by interior fabrics, pets and familiar imagery of the home
The other Scottish designers selected include ceramicists Susan Basham and Craig Mitchell; silversmith Shimara Carlow; textile designers Lin Cunningham, Jane Keith, Tessuti and Mogwaii; basketmaker Lizzie Farey, and jewellers Clare Hillerby and Grainne Morton.
Another eleven Scottish designers are on the reserve list for Chelsea Crafts Fair so the number of designers from Scotland may still increase before October. They are glass artists Graham Muir and Inge Panneels; wood designer Fiona Allardyce-Lewis; furniture designer Adrian McCurdy; jewellers Teena Ramsay, Kaz Robertson and Naoko Yoshizawa; silversmith Adrian Hope; textile designer James Donald and ceramicists Fiona Thompson and Andrea Walsh.
The Scottish designers exhibiting at Chelsea for the first time will receive support from the Scottish Arts Council to participate at the event and many of the artists have also received professional development grants to help them develop their careers to this stage.
| Head of Crafts at the Scottish Arts Council, Dr Helen Bennett, said 'Chelsea stands for excellence and has become renowned for identifying trends and setting fashions. The innovative work by our Scottish designers is well-suited to this exceptional event which focuses on quality and skill and showcases contemporary craft that is vibrant and original.' |
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Chelsea Crafts Fair stands for excellence: it has been instrumental in changing perceptions and celebrating fine craft and craftsmanship; whilst identifying trends; acknowledging new ideas; experimenting and setting fashions. |
Since it's inception in 1979, it has set standards by presenting the finest quality contemporary craft and applied art which is handmade, unexpected and challenging. It has also grown in scale since then: The first fair attracted 1,200 visitors and in 2004 (it's silver anniversary) over 22,000 visitors came to Chelsea to view and buy the exciting work on display. Read more about Scotland's designer-makers at Chelsea Craft Fair 2004.
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In 2005 a number of new designer-makers will exhibit alongside more established names and international makers will add to the mix of diverse, innovative work on display.
It is a unique opportunity to meet designer-makers and commission a truly personalised item, with prices ranging from £20 - £20,000. |
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Chelsea Crafts Fair will be held at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London from 11 to 23 October 2005 and is presented by the Crafts Council. |