New Graduate Showcase: Spring Edition and Beyond

As part of our support of fresh talent, we offer  graduates the chance to exhibit their work in our New Graduate Showcase at selected events. We take a look at this year's New Graduate exhibitors and cast a look back with Anna Byers, who exhibited in 2013 and is back again as a fully-fledged exhibitor for Spring Edition 2014...

Emerging Milliners

At Handmade in Britain new graduate designer makers display their work in a dedicated gallery area for the duration of the exhibition. In addition, each designer maker is given the opportunity to attend a specialised workshop with Handmade in Britain’s Creative Director Piyush Suri, aimed at preparing the designer maker for the show and offering invaluable business advice to support their future careers.

The graduates selected to exhibit at this year's Handmade in Britain: Spring Edition have completed the Higher National Certificate or HND in Millinery at Kensington and Chelsea College within the last four years and are emerging designers in their own right. Showcasing a broad variety of skills and styles, our five emerging milliners encapsulate the very best in their field...

Beth Simpson – Lady Go Red (HNC Millinery 2010, HND Millinery 2012) 
Lady Go Red was founded in London in 2012 and is a forward looking headwear label with a firm belief in craft, process and tradition. Beth Simpson is the designer behind it. She has been a finalist in The Hat Magazine’s Designer of the Year for the past three years, twice exhibiting her work at the Who’s Next trade show in Paris.ladygored.wordpress.com

Martine Henry (HNC Millinery 2013)

Martine primarily likes to work with natural materials. She is interested in taking traditional craft techniques from outside millinery and using them to create her hats. During her time at Kensington and Chelsea she was awarded 2^nd place in the Feltmakers’ Design Award. 

www.facebook.com/Martinehats

Sophie Beale (HNC Millinery 2011)

The creation of space and lightness are at the heart of Sophie Beale’s design aesthetic, over laid with synthesis of texture/depth, intricacy/simplicity, structure/fluidity, innovation/wearability. Winner of various awards and with experience working with a selection of iconic Milliners, her own brand is now sold internationally with a growing list of high profile clients. Bespoke commissions and collaborations available.

www.sophiebealemillinery.com

Iona Montgomery (HNC Millinery 2013)

London-based milliner Iona Montgomery specialises in ladies occasion wear, designing and making bespoke hats and headdresses as well as selling her unique ready-to-wear collections. ‘Sculptural femininity, Parisian sophistication’ is at the heart of Iona’s designs, representing ethereal luxury and delicate drama for the lady who wants to stand head and shoulders above the rest.

www.ionamontgomery.co.uk

Mary Franck (HNC Millinery 2011)

Established in July 2011, Mary Franck is a young brand which won instant professional recognition. In July 2012, Mary was awarded second price in at Hat Designer of the Year, competing against a strong field of designers. This international competition, with entries from over 60 countries, is sponsored by The Hat Magazine and Premiere Classe. Mary practises from her East London studio, designing and making seasonal collection and working on private commissions.

www.maryfranck.co.uk

Anna Byers

Anna Byer's was one of the finalists for the British Jeweller’s Association’s ‘Newcomer of the Year’ Award for 2013, having completed an MA in Jewellery Design at The Cass. Her statement jewellery is characterised by a bold, geometric style, influenced by her time spent living and working in Jerusalem, where she studied Hebrew, and worked in the studio of a jeweller.

Having exhibited as part of Handmade in Britain’s new graduate showcase in November 2013, her work features silver, gold vermeil and semi-precious stones, as well as perspex, stainless steel and black ruthenium plating.  

What was it about the Handmade show that drew you in as a Graduate?

'I always knew I wanted to exhibit at Handmade in Britain, because the standard of craftsmanship is so good, and there is always such beautiful work on show, that I think the show has gained an excellent reputation. Chelsea Town Hall is a beautiful setting, the location on the Kings Road attracts discerning and affluent customers, and the timing of that particular show, Handmade in Britain 13, in the run up to Christmas, was perfect!'

How did the workshops, mentoring and support provided help you to develop and learn, going into your first year as a new-graduate designer?

 'We all got together for coffee with Piyush, the show's director, a couple of months before the show, and we all had to bring examples of our work along. We discussed manufacturing processes and pricing structures, and how to get the most out of the exhibition. We learned some really useful things to help us launch our businesses. For me, the part about pricing was really interesting. Prior to that I had thought that I had it all figured out, but actually I learned some really useful things that influenced the way I now price my work.'

What about the Graduate Show that you were a part of last year did you find specifically helpful to your experience?

'I really enjoyed sharing the space with the four other graduate designers. We all got on really well, which made the experience really enjoyable, but I think we all learned from each other as well, as we spent four days together discussing the ins and outs of selling your work! I also really liked the size of the stand, and location that we were given. It was nice to be on the stage, we had a great view of the rest of the show. (And the rest of the show had a great view of us, which I think helped us quite a bit!)'

As you’re back again for Spring Edition, can you see improvements to your approach in the run-up to this year’s show in comparison to your first experience last year?  

'This time round, I have more of an idea of which pieces to bring! I always find it quite difficult deciding how many of each piece to make because it's hard to know what will sell. Last time, I ended up bringing one of everything. Now, I know which pieces I can expect to sell more of, so that has helped me prepare.  I also have some more ideas of how to set up my stand, and display my work, so I am feeling more prepared!'  

To find out more about Anna Byer's work head to: 

annabyers.com

www.facebook.com/AnnaByersJewellery

@Anna_J_Byers

To find out more about exhibiting in our November showcase as a new graduate, for membership and mentoring enquiries please email us at:

enquiries@handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Spring Edition is fast upon us! All the featured designer-makers in our blog posts will be exhibiting with us at Chelsea Old Town Hall. To find out more about the event, and book tickets head to: handmadeinbritain

Tickets now on sale

Handmade in Britain 14:
Spring Edition

The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

9th - 11th May 2014
Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

Spring Edition is open:
Friday 9th: 11:00 - 19:00
Saturday 10th: 11:00 - 18:00
Sunday 11th: 11:00 - 18:00

Tickets are available online now at £5
Tickets on the door are £7/£5 conc.