London Craft Week | 4-10 October 2021

12th October 2021

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QEST Scholars took over the St James’s area for London Craft Week, showcasing and demonstrating crafts in 11 Royal Warrant-holding stores as part of the QEST Craft Trail.

The week began with a fabulous Evening of Tradition and Innovation at Truefitt & Hill, where antiquarian horologist and QEST Britford Bridge Trust Scholar Seth Kennedy’s works were displayed. Seth talked about the craft of engine turning to create pocket watch cases, which he has also used to create a bespoke Truefitt & Hill shaving brush. Guests were also treated to drinks and a cocktail masterclass provided by cognac fine champagne producers Rémy Martin, and a shaving masterclass with a Truefitt & Hill master barber.

A number of demonstrations took place, with stained glass artist Sophie D’Souza returning to Farlows to work on a new piece featuring koi carp throughout the week, and QEST Bendicks (Mayfair) Ltd Scholar Harry Forster-Stringer returning to D. R. Harris & Co. to demonstrate enamelling on engraved silver. At Dege & Skinner, in-house QEST Scholars Auburn Clair Lucas and Sarah Wilkinson showcased their embroidery skills, and Clare Barnett her saddle stitching at Crockett & Jones.

Both online and in-store at John Smedley, QEST Stanley Picker Trust Apprentice Matthew Foster took over, showcasing a new body of ceramics inspired by traditional southeast Asian peasant stoneware and John Smedley’s iconic blue. Learn more about his process and this collaboration in a three-part short video series, and shop the collection here.

Elsewhere on the trail, works from Jacqueline Cullen’s Galactica grey agate jewellery series sparkled in the window of antique jeweller Wartski, and a book make out of tailoring patterns by QEST Clothworkers’ Company Scholar and bookbinder Manuel Mazzotti (in collaboration with Hormazd Narielwalla) sat at Lock & Co. Hatters. Birds by QEST Adam Connolly Memorial Fund Scholar and greenwood carver Steve Tomlin flew above his handwoven baskets and artisan cheeses at Paxton & Whitfield, and intricate botanical designs by QEST Finnis Scott Foundation Scholar Bethan Wyn Williams framed a display at jewellers Garrard.

Playing on the brand’s rich history, Floris displayed crafts by four QEST Scholars in their Victorian premises (their cabinets are Spanish mahogany and likely held jewellery in the 1851 Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace; and notes and antiques from their nearly 300-year history adorn the store). These included Victorian undergarments by historic costumer and QEST Broderers’ Company Scholar Isabel Nellie Walters and jewellery & silverware by QEST Iliffe Family Charitable Foundation Scholar Megan Falconer in the main store, and porcelain vessels by Rebecca Harvey and guitars by Jim Fleeting in the perfumery – where bespoke scents are composed.

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