3 February 2014

Walpole British Luxury announces 2014 dates and venue for Crafted: Makers of
the Exceptional, in association with Vacheron Constantin

Inner Flame, Shakudo and 22 carat gold gilding, Hand raised and Japanese Hammer Chasing,
120mm W X 220mm H, by Wayne Meeten

Walpole British Luxury, in association with Vacheron Constantin, present the second Crafted: Makers
of the Exceptional, a celebration of innovative British craftsmanship which brings together some of the UKs
best contemporary designer makers in an annual showcase, set to take place at the prestigious Royal Academy
of Arts, Burlington Gardens, from 3-5 April 2014. The showcase is an integral part of the Crafted programme
which takes talented craftspeople on a journey of mentorship to help develop their creative skills into viable
businesses.
Walpole British Luxury represents 175 of the UKs biggest luxury brands, including Alexander McQueen,
Mulberry, Theo Fennell and Wedgwood. Through Crafted, the group aims to nurture new talent and discover
the luxury brands of tomorrow, supported by Vacheron Constantin, who became patrons of the programme
and annual showcase in 2013. Both are committed to preserving the increasingly rare artisanal skills so integral
in todays luxury market, making them natural patrons of the programme.
The free-to-enter event in April curated by Peter Ting gives the public the opportunity to meet up to 35
designer makers and see the pieces they create first hand. Past alumni, including Ptolemy Mann (hand-dyed,
textile, wall-based architectural artworks), Rothschild & Bickers (glassblowers), Jessica Poole (jewellery
maker) and Ben Gaskell (quartz bowls), will be invited to exhibit their works alongside this years class of
mentees, who will be handpicked by a selection panel, to be announced at a later date.
Crafted was initially established in 2007 by Walpole British Luxury in association with Arts & Business, with
the goal of offering one-to-one mentorship for 10-12 individuals whose businesses rely heavily on

craftsmanship. Founded by Programme Chairman Guy Salter, Crafteds aim is to nurture a sense of
entrepreneurship and boost business acumen among its artisans by pairing them with representatives from
more established brands.
Michelle Emmerson, Managing Director of Walpole British Luxury, says, Craftsmanship is fundamental to
the luxury market and is a driving force in the rapidly growing British creative industries. Through partnering
individual craftsmen with established luxury brands from the Walpole British Luxury stable, we aim to offer
these talented designers an opportunity to take their passion to the next commercial level whilst promoting and
developing the British luxury market.
Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin says, We are delighted with the positive response the
Crafted programme and showcase has received so far. With the support from the Royal Academy this year, we
can be sure that the showcase will continue to thrive. Vacheron Constantin's dedication for the preservation of
fine craft is not only a passion - it is a duty."
Charles Saumarez Smith, Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy, says, The RA is delighted
to host the second annual Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional in Burlington Gardens. This years exhibition, in
association with Vacheron Constantin, promises to be a remarkable showcase of modern British design from
both established and new artists. This great initiative to support home-grown craftsmen is appropriate to the
RA, which was founded to promote the arts of design. We are very proud to be part of it.
---ENDS--NOTES TO EDITORS
For press enquiries about Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional please contact Anna Zeuner or Lucy Barry at
muse@gongmuse.com, 020 7935 4800 www.gongmuse.com
For further information on the Walpole British Luxury, please contact Julia Hanrahan, Executive at Bell Pottinger +44 (0)20
7861 3982 JHanrahan@bell-pottinger.com
For further information on Vacheron Constantin, please contact Laura deCastiglioni, Communications Manager +44 (0)207
408 5795 laura.decastiglioni@vacheron-constantin.com
For the latest news and developments:
www.craftedshowcase.co.uk
Twitter at @Walpole_Crafted #CraftedShowcase
Private View 2 April
2014 Public Opening Times
Thursday 3 April 10am-6pm
Friday 4 April 10am-6pm
Saturday 5 April 10am-6pm
Location
Royal Academy, Burlington Gardens, London, W1S 3ET
About Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional
Walpole British Luxury, in association with Vacheron Constantin, present 'Crafted: Makers of the Exceptional'- the annual
programme pairing a specially-curated group of exceptional, contemporary designer-craftspeople with established British

luxury brands to help grow their business potential and develop their passions into viable commercial endeavours. This
journey of mentorship highlights the fundamental role of craftsmanship in the contemporary luxury market, and a
showcase of their work will take place at The Royal Academy Burlington Gardens from 3-5 April.
About Walpole British Luxury
Walpole British Luxury is the only dedicated luxury goods association that promotes and supports British luxury brands.
A not-for-profit organisation, Walpole British Luxurys mission is to protect, promote and provide resources to the luxury
industry. It does this by harnessing and sharing the collective knowledge, experience and resources of its membership of
over 175 British luxury brands, all of whom are committed to combining the best aspects of innovation, design, quality,
tradition and service.
Walpole supports luxury brands, such as Anya Hindmarch, Hamilton & Inches, Savoir Beds, and Smythson, at all levels
of development organising a range of annual events, workshops and mentoring programmes from Crafted to Brands of
Tomorrow to the major British Luxury Awards. It provides a community for the exchange of best practice ideas, develops
industry insights and thought leadership and runs mentoring programmes to safeguard the future of British luxury.
Walpole lobbies the UK government and the EU on behalf of the industry, and, as part of the European Creative and Cultural
Industries Alliance and UK China Visa Alliance, helps to ensure that Europes luxury industries are valued, protected and
enhanced.
About Vacheron Constantin
Founded in Geneva in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, Vacheron Constantin is the worlds oldest watch manufacturer in
continuous production for almost 260 years. Founders of the spirit of fine watchmaking; the people of Vacheron Constantin
continue to design, develop and produce exceptional timepieces true to the brands three fundamental pillars: perfectly
mastered techniques, inspired and harmonious aesthetics, and an extremely high level of finishing.
Pursuing its longstanding ties with the world of art and culture, Vacheron Constantin is committed to fostering fine artistic
crafts that play such a key role in contemporary creativity, while highlighting the excellence achieved by combining these
talents with those of design.
The brand is also a privileged partner of a number of cultural institutions such as the Opra National de Paris, The Royal
Ballet School in London, the Institut National des Mtiers dArt and the Barbier-Mueller Museum Cultural Foundation.
About the Royal Academy of Arts and Burlington Gardens
The Royal Academy of Arts was founded by King George III in 1768. It has a unique position in being an independent,
privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to be a clear, strong voice for
art and artists. Its public programme promotes the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through
exhibitions, education and debate. 6 Burlington Gardens was designed by Sir James Pennethorne (1801-1871)
and opened by Queen Victoria in 1870 as the Senate House of the University of London. The RA acquired Burlington
Gardens in 2001, re-launching it in 2012 as its new space to exhibit contemporary art and architecture.