Further to the last CHERCHBI blog post I am highly delighted to announce that the Herdwyck project took Runners Up prize at Northern Futures awards last night. It’s hugely encouraging for the project to get recognised so early on – the collection isn’t commercially available until the end of this year, and even then only in very limited quantities. It’s been three & half years since I started developing new Herdwick tweeds and designing the range of bags, last night feels like a small but significant corner has been turned. I also had a encouraging chat with Rita Britton of Pollyanna, more on this in good time, keep an eye on CHERCHBI Facebook page.
It wasn’t all about Herdwyck. There were 12 other winners, all of a fantastic standard, it’s encouraging to see so much innovative and commercial design talent represented. Patrick Murphy and the whole team at The Civic should be rightly proud of their achievement.
The exhibition of all work in Fashion, Fine Art, Film and 3D Design runs until 10 September at the Barnsley Civic. Free entry. No excuses if you’re anywhere near.
CHERCHBI took a small, but perfectly formed stand at the CLA Game Fair at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire last weekend. What a fantastic show. Hunting, shooting, fishing galore, and also every other aspect of rural activity and industry imaginable; bee-keeping, ferrets, taxidermy and food food food were our particular favourites. 140,000 visitors over the three days and the atmosphere was wonderful from 7am gates open until late evening. Here’s a few snaps from the weekend.
Our 1571 Herdwick tweed cap was a particular winner at the show. Seen here sported by Ms Kirsty Lee and Mr Mark Devonshire of Eckington Manor Cookery School,[mouthwatering fare on their stand], and also a protege of Mr Rick Stein too.
CHERCHBI’s Herdwyck tweed bag project has been shortlisted for the Northern Futures Fashion Award, click here to see the full list. The latest Herdwyck tweed bags will be shown in a public Award Exhibition at The Civic in Barnsley, 28 July – 3 September, with the awards ceremony itself on 17 August. The competition has four categories – Fine Art, Fashion, Film and 3D Design – with the fashion award being judged by Katie Bain of the British Fashion Council, Stephanie Cooper of Central St Martins, Hester Swaving of Dutch 4 Fashion and Rita Britton the owner of Barnsley’s own Pollyanna.
“The award recognises and rewards the best emerging creative talent in the north of England, showcasing it to a wider national and international audience and confirming the north as a hotbed of creativity.”
The Herdwyck collection is still in development, the first pieces will be available in late 2010, but here’s a few quick images of what to expect.
Rachel Kelly/Interactive Wallpaper exhibiting at National Craft Gallery of Ireland 7th August – 15 October 2010
The annual Kilkenny Arts Festival will be showcasing cutting-edge craft at the National Craft Gallery of Ireland. The show, which runs from August 7th – 15th, includes work by Rachel Kelly among 12 other innovative designers.
Curator Angela O’Kelley writes: This year’s CRAFT strand looks to new directions and dialogues in craft. Craft artists working with cutting-edge technology and materials, conceptual craft and an inclusive, interactive exhibition are some of the highlights of this year’s programme.
The National Craft Gallery Two showcases the work of fourteen makers who are Embracing Technology. These makers push the boundaries of their craft through the inventive use of materials and technology. Combining hand-crafting with new technologies like laser-cutting, water jet cutting, rapid prototyping, motion capturing, textiles set in concrete, interactive magnetic wall coverings and site-specific textiles for walls and windows, these makers expand the potential of craft and challenge our perceptions with new ways of making dynamic forms.
CHERCHBI is showing at PULSE 2010 at Earls Court London June 6 – 8. Here’s a couple of images from the first day.
Our Squires Holdall and Fern Frond Scarf appear in the main entrance display and are being used to promote both PULSE and the TOP DRAWER shows for Clarion Events.
We’re also part of the Product GB and ECO Trail at the show. The Eco Trail is a group of exhibitors hand-picked by Oliver Heath for their commitment to ethical production, fair trade and sustainability.
Kendal Upholstery just ordered some bright new materials to make summer humpties. We’ve chosen some fab, outdoor fabrics so these humpties will be multi-tasking – great for indoors or out!!
Last month whilst in London we got the chance to visit the Barbican Art Gallery and see the Ron Arad – Restless exhibition.
The exhibition explores thirty years of his work including the early products built from readymade items through to those generated using 3d computer technology.
The exhibition focuses on showing the process of his products development from initial idea and fabrication to finished design.
