From the 30th September – 10th October, the independent shops and craftspeople of St James’s will be hosting London Craft Week (and sharing the event with you virtually too). With St James’s loved by many of you for being a haven for craftsmanship, there is nowhere better to celebrate both the heritage and future of craft in our capital city. Each store will be ensuring safety measures are in place so you can simply enjoy the events on offer this autumn.
Budd London’s Shirt-Cutting Online Masterclass
2nd October, 12-4pm. Join Piccadilly Arcade’s Budd London for a digital masterclass in the art of shirt-cutting. One of the only Jermyn Street shirtmakers to still boast its own on-site cutting room, every shirt sold is drafted and carefully cut using traditional techniques. Find out more here.
Virtual Wine Tasting with Berry Bros. & Rudd
Join Britain’s oldest family-owned wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd for a virtual tasting led by an expert host. With two Royal Warrants and four Masters of Wine, there is nowhere better to learn about the world of wine. Go ‘Inside Bordeaux’ on the 7th October or discover the principles of ‘Scotch Whisky’ on the 8th October. We’ll raise a glass to that.Advance booking is required to ensure wines and spirits arrive at your home in time. Prices start from £165; discover more here.
Arc’teryx’s Build Your Own Bag
Tap into Arc’teryx’s passion for creating simple solutions to complex challenges this London Craft Week. Build your own bespoke bag in-store, safe in the knowledge that you have the very best equipment to protect you from the elements. The bags will be made from an upcycled end-of-the-line GORE-Tex, with an optional Arc’teryx patch available should you like to add a custom touch. Priced at £10, find out more and book here 6th & 7th October (booking a time slot is required).
The QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) Craft Trail
30th September – 10th October. To mark QEST’s 30th anniversary year in supporting aspiring makers from across the UK, the charity has created a craft trail that celebrates the very best of British craftsmanship. You will visit Royal Warrant-holding companies in the St James’s area to discover works by 12 QEST Scholars – identifiable by the gold QEST logo. The trail will comprise of a visit to leading St James’s brands, including Benson & Clegg; D.R. Harris & Co, Floris London, Lock & Co. Hatters, Paxton & Whitfield and Truefitt & Hill. The self-guided craft-hopping trail takes you on a journey through key practices including shoemaking, silversmithing, tailoring, sculpture, enamelling and millinery. You can find further information on each location here or discover a map of the St James’s trail points – and plan your route - here.
Call in the experts: The British Craft Edit’s Guided Tour
The British Craft Edit has created a guided tour to satisfy your curiosity. Beginning with a tour of the 300 Objects Exhibition with curator Holly Wood at nearby Quadrant Arcade, you then visit the clever and creative QEST Trail activities in St James's, hosted by a member of the QEST team to share inside knowledge about the artists. Lunch at Angela Hartnett’s Italian restaurant, Cafe Murano St James's, precursor to an afternoon meandering neighbouring destinations, finishing at The New Craftsmen for a curated tour and conversation with a surprise guest artist. Book your space here.
Interested? Discover the inspiring craft week exhibitions taking place in our neighbourhood this autumn on our exhibition page. This includes the brilliant 300 Objects Exhibition – the largest showcase at London Craft Week to date. Read out about all of this activity here. In addition to our London Craft Week activity, you can explore a new public art installation right on our doorstep. Entitled Silver Lining, you can expect to discover shimmering silver ribbons across different areas of St James’s neighbourhood. The shining ribbons will be interwoven with a powerful poem from one of the UK’s most exciting young creatives, in a bid to spread optimism to all those who encounter it. Discover more, and plan your route, here.
