Designers on a mission in Japan
DESIGN FACTORY PRESS RELEASE
Designer-makers from across the UK are set to travel to the Far East, during March, and tap into the Japanese marketplace.
The 17 delegates, including one Leicester based designer-maker, were selected for the British Crafts in Japan mission after beating off tough competition to win a place on the trip. Teresa Cole of Teresa Green Design of Barrow Upon Soar creates textile pieces from tea towels to bed linen with printed designs inspired by everyday objects and marks.
During the mission the delegates will meet with gallery owners, retail buyers, like-minded creative businesses and curators. The designer/makers will be meeting high profile business people such as Conran and Partners Japan representative. Conran and Partners is part of Terence Conran’s business empire, best know as the founder of Habitat.
The Crafts Council began the Japan missions eight years ago and to date, 80 designer/makers have participated in research visits and exhibitions to explore export opportunities and the commercial potential for their work in Japan. Design Factory took off where the Crafts Council finished in 2006 and plan to carry on the excellent work. This year Design Factory is organising the trip in partnership with Arts Council England East Midlands and UK Trade & Investment.
Clare Edwards, Director for Design Factory, said: “ The concept of lifestyle is important to the Japanese and an increased demand for choice carries obvious benefits for British designer/makers. This is an incredible opportunity for all of the makers taking part, offering them a unique chance to look at the potential for their work within the market and to meet directly with potential new business contacts. “
The 11-day trip, from Monday, March 12 to Friday, March 23, will for the first time include an exhibition to showcase 10 of the delegates work. The Ozone Plaza Living Design Centre in the heart of the fashionable new city centre of Tokyo will host the British Modern Craft Exhibition, which runs from Thursday, March 15 to Monday, March 19. Ozone Plaza has eight floors and is home to the Conran Shop, the centre is also famous for being the site to go to for housing and home products.
Design Factory member Jan uses natural materials including willow, reed and grasses combined with manmade materials such as beads and mosaics. This is Jan’s first trade mission to Japan and she is currently preparing for the trip.
She said: “ This is an incredible opportunity and I am determined to make the most of it. Preparation is the key and I am frantically trying to do as much as possible. I hope to make some good contacts and intend to return to follow-up on any opportunities."
Arts Council East Midlands and UKTI has provided the 17 delegates with a £700 grant towards the cost of the mission.
Laura Dyer, Executive Director, Arts Council England, East Midlands said: " In total we provided a grant of £22,500 towards the visit. We also funded the first mission last year which proved an outstanding success.
"Many of the makers gained work in Japan in 2006 and opened up links which will be good for international business. This latest visit will build on that success and hopefully open up more markets for the designer makers’ products."
The 17 designer/makers details are below if you require images or comments:
Textiles
Jan Bowman Loughborough
Joy Butress Nottingham
Karen Henriksen London
Kim Robertson London
Laura McCafferty Nottingham
Teresa Cole Leicestershire
Jewellery
Ashi Marwaha Lincolnshire
Laura Baxter Leeds
Rheanna Lingham Kent
Sarah Keay Dundee
Ceramics
Chris Wright Nottinghamshire
Dominique Bivar Segurado Norfolk
Sara Taylor Derby
Polly George Kent
Glass
Clare Henshaw Herefordshire
Paperwork
Hannah Lobley Derby
Design
Robert Frith London
Designer/makers exhibiting at Ozone Plaza include:
Laura McCafferty Teresa Cole
Kim Robertson Chris Wright
Laura Baxter Clare Henshaw
Polly George Hannah Lobley
Jan Bowman Joy Butress
For more information contact: Jenny Goodwin on 08453 707909 or 07968752484.
Designers on a mission in Japan
