London Craft Week celebrates 'Artisan Chelsea' for 2019

A neighbourhood rich in artistry and creativity, Chelsea is delighted to announce its first participation in London Craft Week 2019. Entitled ‘Artisan Chelsea’, visitors to the area can join local master craftsmen and makers for a series of events, demonstrations, workshops, experiences and talks within this vibrant London neighbourhood from Wednesday 8th May – Sunday 12th May.

From being central to the Arts & Crafts movement to the vanguard of contemporary technique – creativity in Chelsea has always flourished. From outstanding architecture, artisanal food, classic and contemporary art, and pioneering fashion, visitors to London Craft Week will have the chance to meet Chelsea’s artisan craftsmen and gain exclusive insight into the area’s specialised artistry.

The Artisan Chelsea programme will showcase the best of the area’s boutique independent stores, global flagship brands as well as tucked away eateries and local producers via a varied programme of experiences. Cadogan, stewards of the area for 300 years, are proud to support London Craft Week and celebrate this extraordinary community.

The programme of Artisan Chelsea at London Craft Week 2019, in date order, includes:

Designing a Jewel in Support of Horatio’s Garden, Cassandra Goad – Celebrating the work of the charity Horatio’s Garden, join jeweller Cassandra Goad for a drinks reception to mark the arrival of her new gold pendant, with proceeds going direct to the charity. Booking essential. Tickets £10. Cassandra Goad, 147 Sloane Street, 020 7730 2202. 8th May, 6.15pm – 8.30pm.

An Emporium of British Craftsmanship, Smythson – Guests are invited to join this iconic British brand for a leather working workshop, discovering some historic techniques including world renowned gold-stamping. Glass of champagne included. Smythson, 141-142 Sloane Street, smythson.com. 8th May, 9.30am – 7pm.

The Craft of Cheesemaking, London Cheesemongers – Discover the traditional craft of cheesemaking, via a unique tasting session that allows visitors to sample products from producers and manufacturers who work tirelessly to turn a variable raw ingredient into delicious cheese. Tickets cost £40 and booking is essential. London Cheesemongers, 251 Pavilion Road, londoncheesemongers.co.uk. 8th & 9th May, 7pm – 9pm.

Macgregor and Michael: A Leather Masterclass, Bentleys – The vintage luggage specialist hosts Britain’s finest traditional leather craftsmen Neil Macgregor and Valerie Michael throughout LCW, as they recreate a Victoria Gladstone bag and reveal their techniques. Bentleys, 91 Lower Sloane Street, bentleyslondon.com. 8th – 11th, 11am – 5pm.

Restoring a London Legend, Belmond Cadogan Hotel – Visit this historic London landmark to understand more about its recently completed renovation and significant bespoke art collection. Enjoy English afternoon tea or cocktail at Adam Handling Chelsea. Belmond Cadogan, 75 Sloane Street, see LCW website for details. 8th – 12th May. All day.

Artisan Ice-Cream Tasting, Ice Cream Union – Join Alex Fubini, MD of Ice Cream Union to learn how true artisan ice creams are produced. Includes a special ice-cream tasting tour. Booking essential. Ice Cream Union, 166 Pavilion Road. rsvp@icecreamunion.com. 8th - 10th May, 11am – 12pm.

The Weave Workshop, Anya Hindmarch – Learning the intricate weaving technique used to create the brand’s Neeson collection, attendees will have a hands on experience with in-house craftspeople. Classes are 2 hours and booking is essential. Anya Hindmarch, 157-158 Sloane Street, tickets@anyahindmarch.com. 9th May at 6.30pm and 11th May at 11am.

Making Chelsea – curating a characterful area: a talk and tour –Crafting the neighbourhood for over 300 years – from exquisite detailing on historic buildings to the wider urban environment – join Cadogan to discover Chelsea from the perspective of the craftsmen who made it. Booking essential. E-mail: events@cadogan.co.uk. 11th May, 10.30am.

Liberty Shorts Making, The Fashion School – Make a pair of beach or bed shorts in signature Liberty-printed fabric as The Fashion School in Chelsea, the hub of responsible fashion. Booking essential. Tickets are £55 a head. The Fashion School, 224a King’s Road, thefashionschool-uk.com. 12th May, 1pm – 6pm.

Shoemaking Masterclass, Miista – Attendees at this masterclass can learn to make natural; raffia shoes in the brand’s Chelsea store. Explore the art of weaving and discover the building blocks of this modern craft. Milsta, Duke of York Square. See LCW website for more details.

London Craft Week is taking place from Wednesday 8th May – Sunday 12th May 2019 at various locations across London. For more information and to book places for some of the Artisan Chelsea events, please visit www.londoncraftweek.com.