Zetteler On Tour

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, the sun shone perfectly and we couldn’t have asked for a better day to cruise through London in our pimped out party wagon. With nine stops on our route it was back to back brilliant people and amazing spaces. Huge thanks to the everyone who came along and the inspiring humans who made it the best day ever. 

By 9am a small crowd of slightly frost-bitten humans had gathered at our first port of call, the deliciously cosy Tinct workshop pop-up. Housed perfectly within the walls of Southwark’s Flat Iron Square, Tinct’s latest pop-up opened its doors in October and follows the leather bag brand’s hugely successful stint on Chelsea’s Sydney Street back in September.

After a quick injection of coffee, sibling founders Rosie and Ben shared the story of Tinct and the individual journeys (Rosie’s through visual merchandising and Ben’s through advertising) that led them to their signature vegetable-tanned leather bags. As if stroking the plethora of beautifully displayed bags and wallets wasn’t enough of an opportunity to appreciate the quality of each British-made bag and wallet, we were all given a gorgeous Tinct keyring and watched as Rosie embossed our initials onto them one by one.

After a quick ride on our executive tour bus we landed in the heart of Spitalfields at the elegantly designed Cubitts workshop. Greeted by founder and designer Tom Broughton, we piled into the space and were introduced to the story of the Cubitts brothers of King’s Cross (home to the first Cubitts spectacles workshop), whose dedication to creating industrial greatness without compromising on their commitment to fine craft inspired Tom to name his business after them.

Not only captivated by Tom’s immense knowledge and application of traditional and highly innovative spectacle making techniques, our crew of design lovers (of which Disegno’s Anya Lawrence and freelance writer Laura Snoad are already Cubitts wearers) couldn’t avoid falling for the perfectly placed local and historical influences that define the space’s interiors. As we continued to fawn over the huge range of delightfully designed spectacles, Tom showcased the brilliant artist-in-residence cloth collaboration with Hayden Kayes, which saw the British artist create two unique cloth designs, with proceeds from their sales going to Macmillan Cancer Research. 

Highlights from our quick hop around the corner from Cubitts to Special Projects include walking through a secret bookcase trap door, being inside a workshop that is usually top secret and finding out that, shockingly, the elderly don’t actually want a phone buttons so enormous that they scream, “I could drop dead any minute.”

The majority of the incredible work undertaken by invention agency Special Projects and its founders — husband and wife team Adrian and Clara — is strictly confidential, but trust us, it would blow your mind. What Adrian and Clara did get to demonstrate is the mind-blowing mental process they go through, as a team, in order to improve and reinvent archaic and clumsy user experiences with incredible product design. From discrete blood pressure monitors to numberless bathroom scales, their refreshingly optimistic creative outlook is changing the world for the better.

Continuing the theme of turning something old into something brilliant and new, our next stop was Restoration Station. A key part of Shoreditch Crypt Trust, Restoration Station is a workshop, and twice weekly a shop, that supports volunteers recovering from addiction as they restore, upcycle and sell old furniture.

Team Zetteler and our gang of merry writers gawped in awe at the amazing pieces of furniture showcased by the inspiring workshop manager as he talked us through the beautiful work done by the workshop’s volunteers and the positive impact it has on their continued recovery.

After lunch we hopped back on the bus and headed straight for Manifold, the Haggerston railway arch workshop that was co-founded by and is home to ceramic artist Matthew Raw. 

Following his six month residency at V&A last year, Matthew walked us through his life in ceramics and the intense patience and focus required to produce truly stunning ceramics. Focusing on his work with tiles, Matthew encouraged everyone to engage with the tactile elements of his work and talked us through the pub decor and traditional applications of tiles that have inspired his recent work and led to the development of new narratives and aesthetics. 

Making the short trip up to Dalston, we single-file stomped our way up a narrow set of stairs to the mythical studio of Camille Walala and Julia Jarvis. Having not long returned from a vibrant trip to Kenya, our visitors were quick to quiz Camille on her work and experiences around the world.

Having jumped on a plane the day after completing her transformation of Clerkenwell London’s Vinyl Lounge for LDF, Camille and Julia travelled to Argentina to work on her biggest blank building canvas to date, before heading off to Kenya to meet and collaborate with colour-loving communities there. Once back in London, Camille set about transforming a grey corner of Well Street with her signature bold graphics and cheerful colour palette. When asked what she’s working on at the moment she was quick to emphasise her joy at being asked to work on another local school and her long-term desire to continue creating in public spaces as a result of receiving many positive responses to her instantly recognisable road crossing in Southwark.

We obviously couldn’t resist snooping on KUFstudios founder Kia Utzon-Frank. Quick to ply us with delicious hand-made treats, Kia introduced those who hadn’t seen it in the flesh previously to KUFtwist, a newly patented and innovative window blind system invented by Kia. 

Appealing to our sweet tooth, the multi-disciplinary designer, goldsmith and inventor also demonstrated how she creates her delicious and perfectly formed KUFcakes, while sharing her recent experience of making Terence Conran’s birthday cake and being able to present Norman Foster with his very own bespoke made piece.

As the early winter evening enveloped East London we piled back into the Zetteler wagon and set off for Hackney Wick. With a few knocks on a very industrial front door, we bundled into the warehouse that plays host to hilarious sculptor Wilfrid Wood’s studio. Overwhelmed by the number of comedically hand-sculpted faces staring back at us as we walking into the room, our excited clan began exploring shelf after shelf of Wilfrid’s creations, which now also includes a door smothered in his nude life-drawings.

Proudly displaying his recent Shortlist cover and Printed Pages feature, the Spitting Image artist turned cultural icon was animated as he answered an endless stream of questions about the many faces and personalities that adorn his walls.

After a long day we could’ve let everyone go home, but that wouldn't be like us at all. Back on the bus there was nothing but love for Wilfrid and palpable anticipation for what was still to come. We were greeted at Clerkenwell London by the always warm and welcoming arms of CEO Sara Carter, who gave us a champagne-laden tour of the many delights and unique finds that populate the diverse and inviting retail space.

After we were finished making long, long lists of all the jewellery, furniture, art and homewares we absolutely need to give everyone we know for Christmas, we were ushered into the wonderful dining area of 155 Bar & Kitchen for an indulgent three-course meal in the company of Camille, Matthew, Adrian and Kia. The perfect cherry on top of a ten layer cake of a day, the food was perfect and the warm atmosphere of the restaurant saw us getting lost in conversation before realising just how late it was and heading home full of joy, inspiration and plenty of wine. 

Head to Clerkenwell London for all your Christmas shopping, including an exclusive gift-wrapping service that provides you with the option to wrap your gifts in Camille Walala pattern. And when you are thoroughly done with treating everyone else, treat yourself to a visit to The Well, Clerkenwell London’s brand new spa.