Innovation through Tradition

French Craft Collective, May 2019

French Craft Collective, a one-day program featuring a selection of emerging and established talent in the French craft and design sectors, was held yesterday at the Institut Français in London. The makers were chosen from a shortlisted selection by Business France, in collaboration with Rabih Hage, in order to unite independent artisans with the international design and architecture community in the UK.

Events took place around 'Rendez-vous with the Makers' sessions where artisans had a series of short pre-booked meetings with invited designers to present their craft and discuss ideas for collaboration. The day concluded with a panel discussion entitled, 'Innovation through tradition' chaired by design journalist Bethan Ryder, with guest speakers: Director of the Design Museum Deyan Sudjic, Francis Sultana - Ambassador of Culture for Malta, Patrick Frey of Maison Pierre Frey, Lily Froehlicher 'The Invisible Collection.'

Tradition is the sharing of knowledge, the preservation of heritage and honing of craft skills throughout the centuries; whilst innovation is a driver of efficiency, productivity and growth. Bringing the two together leads to an elevation of design that pushes the boundaries of what is simultaneously beautiful, well-made and forward-thinking.

One of the greatest challenges faced by the design and architecture community is how to marry craftsmanship with innovative techniques, processes and materials to create contemporary designs that meet the demands of the modern world.

On display yesterday was a wealth of knowledge and skills handed down from generation to generation by an array of French artisans working in a variety of mediums. For example Ateliers Perrault have been innovating, creating, preserving and passing on their knowledge in the fields of woodwork, cabinetry and ironworks since 1760 and through 9 generations, Phelippeau Tapissier have been producing exquisite soft furnishings and window decorations since 1953 and for four generations. Generation by generation the skills and experience is funnelled down creating a collective memory bigger than than the lifetime of a single craftsperson.