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Badger’s Velvet Underground Pop-Up at The Department Store Brixton

Forty four leading Artisan Designers come together under one roof for this exciting new pop up curated by Badger’s Velvet Underground. With her faultless creative eye, author and designer Ros Badger – founder of knitwear company Little Badger and Badger’s Velvet homewares – uses her thirty years of creative experience to bring together a whole host of independent makers and designers for a two-day shopping event.

Brands include Spry Workwear, makers of the must-have boiler suit, Victoria Richards’ silk scarves and Poplin pyjamas, as well as a range of unusual homewares and hand-crafted leather goods. The pop up shop will be held at Brixton’s latest events space, The Department Store that has transformed the iconic Squire & Partners building. Visit on Friday to sip a drink from the pop-up bar whilst you shop.

Home Address homewares
Perfect PJs and nightwear from Poplin
Trill Farm rugs and organic beauty
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Hot Ticket to Morocco

Morocco is back at the top of our travel wish-list with a flurry of new openings including Jacquetta Wheeler’s beautifully renovated house in the Bay of Tangier. Along with the age-old reasons to visit Marrakech from the maze of the souk to the mesmerising Jamaa el Fna square, there are now two fresh hotspots to explore; Jasper Conran’s romantic and elegant Riad hotel, and the newly-opened Musée Yves Saint Laurent. 

Jacquetta Wheeler’s Dar Sinclair Villa for Rent 

A charming blend of English country house style and traditional Moroccan architecture, Dar Sinclair in Tangier is yours to rent for the first time this summer. London model Jacquetta Wheeler inherited the house from her mother early last year. It had been in the family since 1926 and was then in the midst of a major renovation, which ground to a halt at her untimely death. Jacquetta and her sister then set about continuing the works themselves, bringing in fresh colours, cushions collected over years of travels, and fabrics from the Portobello Road. The spacious and airy house sleeps 12-14 with a private swimming pool and spectacular sea views out over the Bay of Tangier Old Town.

Catering options available, housekeeper included. From £748 per night homeaway.co.uk

Jasper Conran’s L’Hôtel Marrakech

Despite its proximity, the hustle and bustle of the souk is a distant memory at L’hotel Marrakech, a privately-owned Riad in the heart of the Medina. What a dream to swim in the pool set within a fragrant courtyard garden full of orange blossom and fig trees, or to wake up to a view of the Atlas mountains beyond the Red City. Owned by Jasper Conran, Moroccan style is combined with pieces of furniture from his collection; think whitewashed walls and high zouak ceilings with restful voile curtains and four-poster beds. With old-school glamour and just five suites, this hotel is very much on our wish-list.

Rooms from £261 per night. l-hotelmarrakech.com

Musée Yves Saint Laurent

“Marrakech taught me colour. Before Marrakech everything was black.” So said Yves Saint Laurent whose famous cobalt blue villa and Jardins Marjorelle have been on the well-trodden tourist path for decades. Just steps away from his home now lies a new museum that opened its doors in October 2017. The space has been designed to look like the weft and warp of fabric, with an interior to evoke ‘the lining of a couture jacket – velvety, smooth and radiant’.  How fitting for a museum that houses a vast collection of clothing from the famous smoking suit to the silky, rainbow fabrics inspired by Saint Laurent’s beloved Marrakech. Also on display are hundreds of drawings and photos that chart the journey of the Parisian fashion house. A must-see, make sure you allow time to visit the excellent bookshop and to stop for lunch at Le Studio, its contemporary cool cafe.

Open daily 10am – 6pm, except Wednesday’s. Tickets 100 DH. museeyslmarrakech.com/en

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Spring Supper Clubs

Supper Clubs are so prevalent in London that it’s hard to know where to begin. Each of these offer something different, whether you are looking for a culinary treat, an evening experience or a fun date spot. Take your pick from Spring Supper Clubs with a difference:

Blo Deady’s Supper Club

My first job, making coffees and serving bread at Sally Clarke’s Shop was where I first encountered Blo. At that time (a decade ago) Blo was essentially in charge of the shop – sourcing and buying the produce, liasing with the bakers and working on menus with the pastry and restaurant chefs. He taught me about the myriad of cheeses we sold – via tastings – about where they came from, the value of quince and varieties of pickle, the breads or crackers they might go with. He taught me to look at what was in season and how it was being used in the restaurant and then the shop. Blo’s passion for food and moreover for sourcing the very best fresh produce was already in evidence.

After nine years at Sally Clarke’s, Blo moved on to work as a private cook, and he can now be booked for events or even just a small but special kitchen supper and his Supper Clubs open this up to the public.  The menus are simple and seasonal – and you can have confidence that the cooking will be designed to show off the ingredients rather than the chef. The April Supper Club runs at a new venue at 19 Cowley Street, Westminster, and includes cocktails, a three course menu (below) with paired wines.

£80 per person. blodeady.co.uk

“Blo’s cooking is warm, generous and delicious! This is cooking with a big heart. I’m forever excited to eat at his table” Skye Gyngell

Supper in a Pear Tree

You might well have heard of the Pear Tree Cafe in Battersea Park, the pretty waterside spot that’s elevated an old park caf into something altogether different with artisan coffees, a delicious home-made brunch and lunch menu, fresh juices and an outdoor bar in summer. Its founder Annabel Partridge, started out with Supper in a Pear Tree, a joint venture with her sister, the artist Charlotte Partridge. Held at Lavender Hill Studios, literally within an art school the evenings involve an hour’s Life Drawing followed by a delicious meal served on candlelit trestles next door. A unique a lovely experience, The Supper Clubs are BYOB which keeps costs down at just £40.

17 May 2018, £40 per person,  supperinapeartree.co.uk

Paradise Sri Lankan Supper Club at Brother Marcus 

New kids on the block, Paradise are the new Sri Lankan pop up that launch their debut Supper Club at Brother Marcus in Balham tonight. Good value and a jolly atmosphere is the name of the game as a collective of Sri Lankan chefs deliver street food favourites including beetroot string hoppers & kiri hodi made with white rice vermicelli noodles, spicy devilled Benton prawns and Negobo beef curry. For dessert, Paradise will serve a selection, including a salted cashew & kuthul treacle mini magnum and their grandmother’s secret recipe, Archchi’s love cake. The Brother Marcus founders will be on hand mixing specially crafted cocktails and their signature espresso martinis.

Tickets are sold out tonight but are still available for Friday 13 April, £35 per person. paradise-ldn.com

Kaboola Kitchen Supper Clubs

The Department Store opened it’s doors last year, transforming the old Bon Marché building into a new space for events, shops, a rooftop restaurant and record shop. In a lovely street-facing ground floor position find Kaboola Kitchen. The bright and inviting cafe serves up seasonal rainbow salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, but it also opens once a month in the evening for its Supper Clubs. There are just 25 spaces in total, so expect to mingle as you enjoy a 5-course dinner with a welcome cocktail.

£40 for supper and £5 corkage, BYOB. Upcoming dates: 23 May, 13 June, 27 June 2018. kaboola.co.uk

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Laura Harper-Hinton, Co-Founder of Caravan Restaurants

Laura Harper-Hinton is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Caravan Restaurants.  With four branches specialising in fine coffee and all-day dining already established, their fifth venture in Fitzrovia is due to open this summer.  Originally from New Zealand and a mother with two sons, Harper-Hinton founded the restaurants with her husband Chris Ammermann and friend Miles Kirby in 2010 and together they have also published a cookbook, Caravan: Dining All Day. Below, Harper-Hinton shares some of her top tips for London living.

Which is your favourite London butcher?

Provenance Butchers, who have locations in Notting Hill, West Hampstead and Chelsea. They source meat in a really responsible way, ensuring quality, but also good provenance (as the name suggests!) Their stores are beautifully clean and bright and the butchers are also so friendly and helpful.

Do you have a top fish restaurant?

I’m a big fan of the Wright Brothers as they care about quality and what they are putting on the plate. Their oysters are always fresh, delicious and responsible!

What was the last music you downloaded?

Baxter Dury’s recent album, Prince of Tears. Son of Ian Dury, similar genius style and a brilliant merge of musical genres. The song Miami off the album is a particular favourite.

Which is your favourite design/furniture shop?

A difficult question to answer as I love and frequent so many! Verandah in my local Kensal Rise is great, they have two shops and they are always filled with beautiful eclectic items from all over the world. I also love Opium for its Indian vintage/antique items and Les Couilles du Chiens (see below) on Golbourne, again for amazing vintage finds.

Which website do you look at most often?

Our own! – Caravan Coffee Roasters. As the creative director of Caravan Restaurants and Coffee Roasters (including Caravan Bankside below), I’m always checking new coffee releases, merchandise, photography, styling and blogs. But I also frequent loads of other design websites, always checking for new stock for the design of our restaurants. If I had to name one that I’m often on, I guess Pinterest as we always have so many design inspiration boards going for many different parts of the business.

What was the best present you’ve ever given?

You often remember the most recent things, but it really was the present that has meant the most to me in recent years. For Mother’s Day I got five albums that my partner, Chris and my two little boys, Arlo and Otis, had worked on together. It had photos from when both were babies to now, with pictures of our food, design, coffee inspiration travels and just generally lovely times!

What is the best thing about living in London?

I absolutely love London. It’s been my home now for 18 years – not something I ever thought would happen, coming originally from New Zealand. London has grown so much in the time I’ve been here. I love how multicultural and creative it is. The restaurant scene is now one of the best in the world and you never tire of something interesting to do. (I just wish some of my NZ family were a little closer!)

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Saffron Roasted Peppers Recipe from the new Tart Cookbook

The much awaited Tart Cookbook, A Love of Eating comes out today. We have an delicious recipe from the book to share for Saffron Roasted Peppers and Tomatoes, Crispy Chickpeas and Buckwheat with Labneh. The strained yoghurt is a Middle Eastern accompaniment and it’s easy to make at home. If you have friends coming for lunch this weekend try this dish with its complementary textures and flavours: smooth and crunchy, sweet and tart and warm spice with soothing labneh.

Serves 6–8 as a side

4 red peppers, halved and deseeded

large handful of small mixed tomatoes (approx. 20)

few sprigs of thyme

1 tablespoon harissa

large pinch of saffron threads

2 cloves garlic, sliced into thin chips

4 tablespoons olive oil, plus a glug for frying

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon soft brown sugar

1⁄2 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed (120g drained weight)

2 tablespoons buckwheat

small bunch of coriander, finely chopped

sea salt and pepper

For the labneh

1kg natural yoghurt 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the spicy nuts

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

  1. 1  teaspoon nigella seeds
  2. 2  teaspoons coriander seeds, crushed
  1. 1  teaspoon cumin seeds
  2. 2  teaspoons roughly chopped pine nuts

2 teaspoons chopped hazelnuts 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

1. First make the labneh. Line a deep bowl with a double layer of cheesecloth (or a clean dishcloth). Stir the yoghurt and salt together and place in the centre of the cloth. Pull the corners of the cloth up to make a ball and tie closed tightly with string. Suspend over a bowl to collect the liquid (a cupboard handle works well) or set in a sieve over a bowl. If the weather is hot do this in the fridge. Let this hang while you get on with the rest of the recipe (or overnight if you have time).

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4 and line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the peppers and tomatoes on the lined tray and scatter with the thyme sprigs. In a small bowl, mix together the harissa, saffron, garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season well. Drizzle this over the peppers and tomatoes, mixing in with your hands. Finally sprinkle the sugar over the top and roast in the oven for 45 minutes.

3. Heat a good glug of olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. When hot add the drained chickpeas and buckwheat with a good sprinkle of sea salt and fry for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.

4. Now for the spicy nuts. Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat and add all the spices, chopped nuts and chilli flakes. Sizzle for 3–5 minutes until the spices have crisped. Remove from the heat and set aside.

5. When the peppers and tomatoes are out of the oven and cool enough to handle, peel the skins off the peppers and place the flesh in a mortar and pestle with the juices collected in the tray. Pound together to form a coarse, loose paste.

6. Serve by dolloping the labneh onto a large plate. Spoon the peppers over, then dot the tomatoes about sporadically, followed by the crisped chickpeas and buckwheat, then the spicy nuts (with all the delicious oil). Finish with a scattering of chopped coriander.

The first Tart cookbook, A Love of Eating comes out on 12 April 2018.

 

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Hats & Headdresses Workshop at VV Rouleaux

Wedding season is nearly upon us, and the question on everyone’s lips is what to wear. One of the trickiest parts of the outfit to get right has to be the hat, so why not consider making your own. In this two-hour workshop learn the tricks of the millinery trade including ribbon cutting and ruching techniques, how to wire feathers and how to attached flowers and accessories.

Haberdashery VV Rouleaux has all the ingredients that you could dream of to make an exquisite head piece to match your outfit. Led by expert milliners design a new creation, like a couture comb or an embellished headband, or else update an existing piece of your own with new bits and bobs.

The classes take place downstairs at the Marylebone Road shop, where you can buy all the trimmings that you might need before and during the class. You can even take along your dress to work out colours and styles to complement it.

 

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April Sample Sales

Who: Donna Ida
What: Up to 90% off all denim
When: 10 April 2018: 10am – 6pm
Where: 40 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9NZ

Who: Diane von Furstenberg 
What: Big discounts on all womenswear & accessories
When: 10 – 12 April 2018: 8am – 8pm; 13 April: 8am – 4pm (£2 entrance fee for charity)
Where: Carousel Next Door, 35 Baker Street, W1U 8EN

Who: Rupert Sanderson
What: Prices start at £90; variety of sizes & styles available
When: 12 April 2018: 1pm – 8pm; 13 April: 8am – 8pm & 14 April: 8am – 6pm (to receive your invitation for entry, please e-mail customerservice@rupertsanderson.com)
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF

Who: Pringle of Scotland
What: Up to 80% off all womenswear & menswear
When: 16 – 23 April 2018: 10am – 6.30pm
Where: Pringle Outlet Store, 90 Morning Lane, E9 6NA

Who: Joseph
What: Big discounts on all womenswear & accessories
When: 17 – 18 April 2018: 8am – 8pm; 19 April: 8am – 7pm (to register for your invitation, click here)
Where: East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, E14 5NX

Who: Jenny Packham
What: Up to 80% off all womenswear.  Sizes 6 – 18
When: 26 April 2018: 8am – 5pm
Where: Jenny Packham Showroom, 34 North Row, W1K 6DQ

Who: Roland Mouret
What: Up to 75% off womenswear, menswear & accessories
When: 27 April 2018: 9.30am – 7pm (to register for your invitation, click here)
Where: China Exchange, 32A Gerrard Street, W1D 6JA

Who: Roksanda
What: Big discounts on all womenswear
When: 28 April – 17 May 2018 (for opening times see here)
Where: Pippa Store, 52 Lonsdale Road, W11 2DE

 

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Children’s Supper Clubs at Old Spitalfields Market

This April, Old Spitalfields Market is launching Spring Rising, a series of fun and interactive workshops and supper clubs run by artist PomegranArt especially for children.

Each week, PomegranArt will lead children through an immersive and exciting art and food experience in collaboration with a different trader from the kitchens. A great way to get children to try new flavours and to experience different cuisines, the supper clubs will follow a crafty, creative workshop starting at 5pm each Monday after school.

16th April

Workshop – Create a model Hot Air Balloon and decoration
Supper – Handmade Pasta al Pomodoro with build your own toppings from Sood Family

23rd April

Workshop – Flower Pot decoration
Supper – Steamed Bun + Koii Soup from Yum Bun

30th April

Workshop – Make a Pom-Pom Garland
Supper – Build you own wrap with Flank London

7th May

Workshop – Quilling the Rainbow or a Unicorn
Supper – Handmade Pasta al Pomodoro with build your own toppings from Sood Family

14th May

Workshop – Make a 3D pop-out card using Spring flower image
Supper – Kids dumpling special from Dumpling Shack

21st May

Workshop – Painting on Canvas, inspired by the Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama who covers the World in polka dots
Supper – Steamed Bun + Koii Soup from Yum Bun

28th May

Workshop – Make your own crepe Fantasy Flower
Supper – Popcorn chicken and mini pork rice from Jiaba

Drop-ins are welcome, tho you are able to book ahead by emailing pomegranartworkshops@gmail.com.

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Bloomsbury Flowers Masterclasses at Charlotte Street Hotel

Spring has well and truly sprung in the colour filled rooms of London’s Charlotte Street Hotel. The brilliant Bloomsbury Flowers, resident florists of the Firmdale group, have teamed up with the hotel to host a series of floral masterclasses. From the first blooms of spring to the dusky flora and fauna of winter, the classes – four in total over the course of the year – follow the seasons, offering guests a step by step guide in arranging and conditioning a carefully selected seasonal array of flowers.

Led by former Royal Ballet dancers and Bloomsbury Flowers founders, Stephen Wicks and Mark Welford, the classes are filled with tips, tricks and personal anecdotes. With a wondrous bouquet of your own creation and a champagne brunch to follow, the class would make the perfect present for someone or an equally heavenly treat for yourself.

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Eva Karayiannis, Founder of Caramel

We have known Eva Karayiannis for years as one of the very best (and most exclusive) kidswear designers. Think simple dresses in a ditsy print or check coat with a sumptuous lining – there is always some unexpected, though understated, detail. Not surprisingly the brand is now globally successful and in 2015 launched Caramel Woman. The Spring/Summer women’s collection is dreamy; you’ll want every carefully curated piece as it explores ‘texture mash-up’. Layering is also key – with a dress over trousers and shirts under slip dresses. We asked Eva about designing for women as well as some of her favourite things:

What rules do you always abide by when designing the collection?

I like to design clothes with a relaxed fit that women enjoy wearing and which don’t overpower you. There’s also something that is always a little bit ‘off’ in my designs, be it the colour or the shape. It’s why my trousers or coats might be a bit oversize or my jackets a little too skinny. I’m constantly looking at the proportions.

Which bit do you start with: The story, the fabric, the style…

I suppose it’s all of it. I might start with the fabric but then I go back to the style and it’s a constant going back and forth. It’s like cooking: I’m constantly tweaking it.

Do you design clothes for a particular woman?

No, I go through a phase where my woman is older, then she is younger or a bit more street…it’s the same aesthetic but it has a different trigger point every time.

Your favourite place to hang out in London?

Trawling vintage shops and discovering the city with my eight-year-old son, Ari.

Image Credit: Royal Parks royalparks.org.uk

Which is your favourite London park?

Hyde Park for the space and allowing me to try to switch off.

Do you have a favourite app?

Real Clear Politics.

What is your favourite restaurant?

Kitty Fisher’s in Shepherd’s Market – simple food done to perfection in an area that has enormous charm.

Best advice for new designers?

 It’s a cliché but true: Don’t over think things and work hard.

Where do you buy or source most of your clothes?

Vintage shopping, Caramel and I love what Dries van Noten does.

What are your plans for spring/summer?

Going to my home in Greece.

Caramel Woman is stocked at the Caramel Marylebone store, as well as at Viola and Collen & Clare.

 

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Literary and Music Festivals to Book Now

Step off the well-trodden path this summer and swap Wilderness or Bestival for these altogether more artful festivals. From Gunnersbury to Portmeirion we handpick the best of the circuit this summer:

All Points East

From the organisers of California’s Coachella comes the new All Points East festival, a ten day event in Victoria Park, which includes a weekend long festival from 25th-27th May, with headline acts ranging from LCD Soundsystem and The XX to Beck, Björk and Father John Misty. There are also three separate stand-alone gigs  (Catfish and the Bottlemen on 1st June, The National on 2nd June and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on 3rd June, each of which have fabulous support acts – Patti Smith, Future Islands to name but two). On top of this, there’s a free four-day festival during the week called in In The Neighbourhood (28th-31st May), which will include free film screenings, aerial circus performances and circus workshops, football training, comedy and general fun and japes.

What: All Points East  www.allpointseastfestival.com

When: 25 May to 3 June 2018

Where: Victoria Park, E3

Price: One day ticket, £59.95; two day ticket, £114.95; three day ticket,  £169.95

Citadel 

West Londoners aren’t served particularly well by festivals, so will be cheered by the news that Citadel – organised by the brains behind Wilderness – is decamping from Victoria Park and heading to Gunnersbury Park. This chilled, one day festival boasts a line-up that includes Tame Impala, Leon Bridges, The Horrors, Chvrches, Goat, Fat White Family and Goat Girl. If that doesn’t grab you, there’s dance workshops, pub quizzes, yoga, a Sunday sports day and a science camp brought along by The Science Museum.

What: Citadel  www.citadelfestival.com

When: 15 July 2018

Where: Gunnersbury Park, W3

Price: Adult, teens and tweens, £49.50; Children, 6-11; Children under 6 are free

Red Rooster

Red Rooster, set in the grounds of the staggeringly beautiful Euston Hall in Suffolk, is a small, charming festival dedicated to sourcing the finest R&B, Americana and Country musicians and gathering them together for a weekend-long hoedown. This year, the brilliant Alabama 3 (famous for doing the opening theme of The Sopranos) will be there – in their acoustic incarnation, as will Pokey Lafarge, Eli Paperboy Reed and Ida Mae. The food on site sticks to the theme of the Deep South – there’s fried chicken, burritos and lots of whiskey. It is one of the best value festivals at just £59.50 for the weekend, which includes 3 nights of camping and parking and children under 12 are free.

What: Red Rooster Festival www.redrooster.org.uk

When: 31 May-2 June 2018

Where: Euston Hall, Euston, Suffolk, IP24 2QW

Price: Adults, £59.50 for weekend ticket; children under 12 are free.

Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas

Slightly further afield, the Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas is famous for luring the big guns of the literary word to Co Carlow in Ireland. This year is no exception. Donna Tartt, Margaret Atwood, Alan Hollinghurst and Elizabeth Strout are just some those giving talks.They probably can’t resist the lure of Borris House, the beautifully located stately home that sits in the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountains, or maybe its the Irish knack for having a good time.

What: Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas www.festivalofwritingandideas.com

When: 8-10 June 2018

Where: Borris House and Village, Carlow, Ireland

Price: Friday, €39 Sunday, €57

In early April, they will release limited tickets to individual talks.

Curious Arts Festival

This delightful pocket-sized festival is a perfect mix of books, music, comedy, nature walks, yoga and crazy golf – all set in the idyllic, rambling grounds of Pylewell, a 18th century pile on the edge of the New Forest.  There’s music from John Newman and Gareth Malone and talks by McMafia author Misha Glenny, Matt Haig (Reasons to Stay Alive), journalists Lynn Barber and Dolly Alderton and comedy from Al Murray.

What: Curious Arts Festival www.curiousartsfestival.com

Where: Pylewell Park, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5SJ

When: 20-22 July 2018

Price: Weekend adult ticket, £128; weekend child ticket, £23; weekend family ticket, £279; day ticket, £55; children under 4 are free.

End of the Road Festival

Nestled in a woodland estate on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, the End of the Road Festival was voted best medium sized festivalat the UK Festival awards 2017 – and not surprisingly, it always rolls out a great selection of contemporary music. This year indie pop band Vampire Weekend will play their first UK show in four years, Canadian songwriter Feist plays her only UK date of 2018 and Velvet Underground co-founder John Cale and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, rising folk star This Is The Kit and Yo La Tengo will all be there.

What: End of the Road Festival  www.endoftheroadfestival.com

When: 30 Aug-2 Sept 2018

Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, nr Blandford, Dorset

Price: Adult weekend £195, Youth 13-17 £150, Child 6-12 £75, Child 3-5 £45, Infant 0-2 Free

Festival No.6

Described by Beck as the “coolest, funkiest” festival he’d ever been to, Festival No.6, takes place at the surreal faux-Italian village of Portmeirion in Wales (the setting for the cult 60s TV series The Prisoner). Franz Ferdinand, The Horrors, The Charlatans and The The are all playing, and there are talks from – among others – Will Self and Irvine Welsh.

What: Festival No.6 www.festivalnumber6.com

When: 6-9 Sept 2018

Where: Portmeirion, Gwynedd,Wales

Price:  Weekend pass, £180

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Century of the Child: Nordic Design at the V&A Museum of Childhood

‘From youth we have a right to expect something for the future’

In recent years we have been subjected to Scandi overload from hygge to noir drama, but this thoroughly enjoyable exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood reminds us why Nordic design deserves its enduring place in our affections. I should also mention that it is tremendous fun for even the most museum-averse child.

Baby Björn babysitter, 1960s. Photo unknown. © Baby Björn

No self-respecting nursery is without its multitude of Nordic classics, from BRIO to the Babybjörn bouncer, and the democratic nature of Nordic design is a recurrent theme throughout the exhibition. Indeed, the exhibition’s title is borrowed from Swedish social theorist Ellen Key’s groundbreaking book, The Century of the Child, first published in 1900. Key’s belief that ‘from youth we have a right to expect something for the future’ provides an indication of the social context that drove Nordic designers to become leaders in children’s design, but also explains the egalitarian nature of many of the pieces exhibited.

My favourite of these is perhaps the miniature ‘Puckelball Pitch’. The rolling surface, crooked lines and different sized goals of this rather Harry Potterish playing field create an unpredictability that cleverly evens out players’ skills, ages and advantages.

However, this exhibition not only explains Nordic design’s democracy, but also its popularity. The products here are warm, tactile, witty and even romantic. What the exhibition reveals are the stories behind this appeal, often literally fairytales. I was charmed to discover that Opsvik’s seminal Tripp Trapp high chair was named after the sound the goats’ hooves make as they walk over the bridge in The Three Billy Goats Gruff, whilst The Baby Seal, a contemporary, wearable blanket for children, is in fact inspired by the traditional Icelandic ‘seal wife’ folk tale.

Artek

So plenty of interest for adults, but as ever the Museum of Childhood has not forgotten their younger visitors. A Moomins dedicated cinema, a cosy Norwegian storytelling hut, a ‘build your own’ Hans Wegner Peter’s Chair and Nordic toys a-plenty to try; this exhibition is as playful as the products it celebrates.

By Chiara Allsup

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