Heal’s, London’s iconic retailer, and the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) have announced the largest retail presentation of Irish made design in London in decades. “Design Ireland at Heal’s” will be in the Tottenham Court Road store for three weeks during March 2016 as a celebration of Irish creativity.
DCCoI is working in collaboration with Heal’s on curating a presentation of work by many of Ireland’s designers and makers across the disciplines of furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass and gifts. Design Ireland at Heal’s will showcase the work of Irish designers and makers from Monday 7th March to Sunday 27th March 2016, coinciding with Ireland being in the spotlight for Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world on March 17th. Selected designers include Ceadogán (woollen rugs), Andrew Ludick (ceramics), Simon Doyle (furniture), Adam Frew (ceramics), Mourne Textiles (weaving) and Arran Street East (ceramics) to name but a few.
Design Ireland at Heal’s will be the luxury retailer’s first group presentation of the work of Irish designers and makers since the store held exhibitions of products designed at the world famous Kilkenny Design Workshops in 1967 and 1972. Design Ireland at Heal’s has emerged as a direct result of successive DCCoI exhibitions at Tent London as part of London Design Festival which have been lauded by global media.
The work of Irish designers has been attracting considerable attention internationally this year following Irish Design 2015 (ID2015), the year long initiative backed by the Irish government promoting and celebrating Irish design around the world. ID2015 has been convened by DCCoI on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Enterprise Ireland.
A number of Heal’s iconic Tottenham Court Road windows will be dedicated to showcasing Irish design and craftsmanship, providing Irish designers and makers with a unique opportunity to have their work seen by a discerning international audience.
A series of in–store demonstrations by featured designers in disciplines such as ceramics and weaving is also being planned, offering visitors to Heal’s the chance to meet the designers and craftspeople behind the products, see them at work and learn more about their designing and making process.