An Evening of Curiosity

Swaine recently hosted an evening in partnership with QEST and Thorp Designs, welcoming guests into our flagship store for a celebration of British craftsmanship. The aim was to create a setting where visitors could meet makers directly, learn about their processes, and experience the store in a manner that felt personal and open.

The timing of the event proved especially meaningful, taking place just one week before Swaine was honoured with a Walpole British Luxury Award. The accolade underscored the very values celebrated throughout the evening: excellence in craftsmanship, commitment to heritage, and the ongoing role of skilled makers in defining modern British luxury.

The space was arranged with dedicated stations for each artisan, allowing them to present selected pieces and speak about their work. Guests were encouraged to approach, ask questions, and gain insight into the techniques and traditions that underpin British craft, as well as the importance of preserving these time-honoured practices. Drinks and canapés circulated throughout the evening, contributing to an unhurried, convivial atmosphere as attendees moved from one maker to the next. The mood was one of quiet curiosity, akin to stepping into a refined cabinet of curiosities.

Downstairs, our own artisans continued their work as they would on any ordinary day. This gave visitors the opportunity to observe the making of the bags displayed upstairs and to appreciate the skill involved at each stage. Guests leaned in to watch and enquire about specialised tools, or simply take in pieces in various phases of construction.Many remarked on the value of seeing work carried out in real time rather than encountering it solely as a finished object.

Across the store, eight QEST scholars presented their work, each representing a distinct discipline. Visitors were able to speak with them informally, hear about their methods, and gain a deeper appreciation of the expertise required to produce each piece. The evening served as a thoughtful reminder of the skill, dedication, and continuity that define British craftsmanship today.

• Eleanor Lakelin, working with naturally fallen British timber.
  

• Zena Holloway, presenting textiles grown directly from plant roots.
  

• Epona Smith, sharing her engraved jewellery.
  

• Michele Oberdieck, showing sculptural glass pieces.
  

• Carl Fox, demonstrating leather and marquetry techniques.
  

• Seth Kennedy, discussing traditional pocket-watch restoration.
  

• Virna Pasquinelli, displaying sculptural millinery.
  

• Clare Barnett, master saddler, whose work connected with Swaine’s equestrian background.
  

Together, these makers brought a remarkable breadth of talent into the store, each offering a glimpse into the depth and diversity of contemporary British craft. It was a successful gathering that honoured tradition, celebrated innovation, and reinforced the enduring importance of British craft.