London Design Festival Report - "A Place to Gather"

My first stop during London Design Festival, "A place to Gather".
This show was dedicated to showcasing the design work of  Irish designers based both here and in London itself. Organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland and curated by John Legge, the show transformed an old garage in the middle of Shoreditch into a creative,small but inviting hub of contemporary Irish design. All the designs featured were very much Irish in there design, materials and how they were made. Irish Oak furniture by Simon O'Driscoll which was upholstered in Donegal Irish tweed woven my Kieran Molloy, Irish Ash used by James Carroll of Stickman furniture, Irish willow baskets and lighting by Kathleen Mc Cormack of Basketbarn and Irish linen furnishings by Jennifer Slattery brought traditional Irish craft to a contemporary stage.

"A Place To Gather" in London

"A Place To Gather" is a unique exhibition designed by The Crafts Council of Ireland which will be running during London Design Week this month. The exhibition has been specially designed to showcase the work of top Irish designers including Claire-Ann O'Brien, O'Dricoll Furniture, Anthony Cleary, James Carroll and our very own Malthouse Designer Jennifer Slattery.
"A Place to Gather" will transform a recently discovered old warehouse in Shoreditch, into a creative and exciting glimpse of contemporary Ireland. 
The exhibition will open its doors on Tuesday the 18th of September on Chance Street, near Redchurch Street as part of the Shorditch design triangle. 

Claire-Anne O'Brien

Jennifer Slattery

James Carroll

Future Maker Results 2012

This years Future Makers Awards were announced at an award ceremony which took place on Tuesday at The Sugar Club in Dublin. With a total prize fund of €30,000, the Future Makers Awards & Support reward the next generation of Irish designers, helping them develop an exciting future in the craft and design industry. Future Makers promotes and distinguishes craftsmanship and excellence in design for creative students and graduates at a critical stage in their career.
 The overall winner of the future maker awards went to a gifted young Irish fashion designer whose stunning creations have been worn by singer Lily Allen, Grammer award winner Esperenza Spalding and Kathyrn Thomas. Natalie Coleman from Monaghan received the overall Future Makers Award of €5000 for the distinctive dress designs from her “All the Jewellery I Never Got” collection which is playfully drawn from images of jewellery she has never received.

Dress designed by Natalie Coleman

Other Future Makers Awards & Support winners announced by the Crafts Council of Ireland include:
Kate Cronin of Klickity, for design excellence. Kate impressed the selection panel with her design skills and desire to expand her work to develop a successful range of contemporary light fittings and products.

Lighting designed by Klickity

Fellow Malthouse designer Jennifer Slattery, textiles designer, for excellence in design development.

Table runner designed by Jennifer Slatery

Kate Murtagh Sheridan, ceramicist, for her experimentation with process, technique, colour and form.

Ceramics designed by Kate Murtagh Sheridan

Theresa Burger, jewellery student, for her large, geometric bangles made using 3D rapid prototyping techniques and inspired by the Zulu people of Southern Africa.

Rings designed by Theresa Burger

Along side another Malthouse Designer, Kathyrn Payne for her furniture,lighting and jewelery design.

Lighting designed by Kathryn Payne