Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 73)

25 SHOWS AND EVENTS Shows, news & events This season’s most unmissable events  DIARY DATES Autumn Fair 1 st -4 th September NEC, Birmingham autumnfair.com Top Drawer A/W 8 th -10 th September Olympia London topdrawer.co.uk Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn 22 nd -23 rd September SEC, Glasgow autumn.scotlands tradefairs.co.uk REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CHSI STITCHES 2020 Plans are already under way for CHSI Stitches 2020, which will run from 16 th -18 th February at the NEC, Birmingham. Taking place at the start of the buying cycle, the show provides access to retailers from across the globe, all looking to place orders for the year ahead. The 2019 show attracted thousands of visitors through its doors, together with eye- catching stands, workshops, talks, catwalk shows and a wealth of creative inspiration. Useful industry data was also revealed in the Craft Report, hosted by Linda Jones in the show’s presentation theatre. “The vibrancy of the craft industry was very clear to see at this year’s show,” said Dominic Fleming, event director. “Crafting continues to play an increasingly relevant role in society and our Craft Report research indicates that this will only continue to grow.” Organiser ICHF Events is now aiming to have a crafter in every household across the UK. To register and find out how you can be part of next year’s show, go to chsi.co.uk Makers invited to apply for Top Drawer Contemporary makers have been invited to apply for the 10 th edition of CRAFT at Top Drawer. With the creative industry now contributing an astonishing £3.4bn to the UK economy, the show offers a vital opportunity to be seen by retailers in the lead up to Christmas. “The makers’ movement is an undeniable force in retail at the moment, seen everywhere from museums to leading stores like Harrods, Selfridges and Heal’s,” says show director Alejandra Campos. “We’re proud supporters of makers and their work and are thrilled to provide them with a commercial platform to connect with professional buyers who are excited about contemporary pieces made with heart and honed skill.” The event is popular with buyers from a diverse range of shopping destinations. “The combination of well-selected, high calibre content and user-friendly fair layout makes Top Drawer an unmissable date,” says Rosey Blackmore, merchandise director at TATE Enterprises. Exhibitor Penny Warren adds: “Exhibiting at CRAFT has proved incredibly valuable for sourcing and reaching new outlets and starting accounts. It always seems busy and the quality of buyers is generally excellent. I like doing this show because it doesn’t feel uber-corporate; the organisers of CRAFT understand designer-makers and curate the exhibition in a friendly personable way that makes it enjoyable to do, but also brings in vital business by attracting the right kind of buyers for the quality of work on display. I have found outlets who wouldn’t have seen my jewellery anywhere else and they have become regular customers.” Find out more at topdrawer.co.uk