#AlfiesTurns40

This year marks Alfies Antique Market’s 40th year in business, to celebrate this impressive anniversary, we had a week of celebrations in conjunction with the London Design Festival between September 20 – September 24, which included pop up shops from London Glassblowing and the Antiques Young Guns collective, plus talks and demonstrations from antiques expert Mark Hill and Alfies' dealers. 

We had a special evening on the 22nd, our dealers plus special guests were treated to a compelling speech from Alfies' founder Bennie Gray who gave us a fascinating and nostalgic insight into Alfies past. Peter Layton who established London Glassblowing in 1976, also gave us a wonderful speech.

We would like to thank all our guests and customers for attending our celebrations and making it a dynamic and special week! Here are some pictures from the event...

Complimentary bubbly & cupcakes!

The London Glassblowing Pop-up at Alfies

The Antiques Young Guns Pop-up shop on Church Street

Emilia of Thirteen Interiors Workshop talking about the Art of Upholstery

20th Century Glass with Mark Hill

Alfies' Dealers and Gail of Antique News & Fairs

Alfies' dealers

Peter Layton of London Glassblowing

Alfies' founder Bennie Gray

Photo: Creative Jewellery Company

#AlfiesTurns40: Antiques Young Guns Church Street Pop-Up

If you haven't already heard - we are celebrating our 40th anniversary this month in conjunction with the London Design Festival! We are very excited about the series of events we have lined up, kicking off on the 20th and running until 24th September. Not only will we have a residency from Peter Layton's London Glassblowing, and talks from antiques expert Mark Hill and established vintage fashion dealer Leslie Verrinder of Tin Tin Collectables, not to mention an upholstery demonstration from Thirteen Upholstery Workshop, we are also pleased to welcome the Antiques Young Guns collective, who will be taking over the magnificent space at 35-37 Church Street with their pop-up shop.

With several of the shops on Church Street having started from stalls within Alfies, the Alfies and Church Street area has a lot to offer to antique and design lovers and should be considered as a must visit destination!

Expect to find a myriad of covetable objects from the following AYG dealers:

• Lily Johnston of Bombe Antiques - www.bombeinteriors.co.uk

• Matthew Wise of Cubbit Antiques - www.cubbitantiques.com

• Edd Thomas of Eddintheclouds Antiques - www.eddintheclouds.com

• Jason Clarke of Jason Clarke Antiques - www.jasonclarkeantiques.co.uk

• Stephanie Connell of Stepannie Connell Art & Antiques  - www.stephanieconnell.com

• Eddy Toshi Ishikawa Wertheim of The Japanese Gallery - www.japanese-gallery.com

• Jon Irvine of Jon Irvine Antiques - www.antiquesyoungguns.co.uk/dealers/jon-irvine-antiques.html

To give you a little taster of what you might find in the Antiques Young Guns pop-up shop, here's some of our favourite objects from each dealer:

19th century marginal mirror from Bombe Interiors

David Klein (1918-2005): An original TWA London travel poster, 1960s, from Stephanie Connell

Pair of Stilnovo style pendant lights - Cubitt Antiques

Photo album produced c1900 with wooden covers coated with black lacquer, from The Japanese Gallery

Thomas Webb cut glass decanter set, from Jon Irvine Antiques

Thonet Bentwood rocking chair No.4, from Edd in the Clouds

Victorian aesthetic movement duet piano stool, from Jason Clarke Antiques

London Craft Week - Getting Crafty With Alfies

This week we are excited about the second edition of London Craft Week (3 - 7 May), which takes place across several locations in London. Last year they launched with 70 events, this year they will play host to an impressive 130 events across the city, showcasing the wonderful works and craftsmanship of renowned artists to new makers in the industry.

In the studio with London Glass Blowing for London Craft Week

The London Craft Week ethos is to experience the magic of true creativity. They believe in showcasing what quality means and offering opportunities to meet and watch some of the world's most finest artists at work. Visitors will also have a chance to try the skills themselves. Events taking place include beautiful gems such as diamonds being cut and polished, fragrances being developed, silversmithing, fine ceramic painting and glass blowing.

We are particularly looking forward to seeing London Glass Blowing with Peter Layton, demonstrating their spectacular glass art skills. Peter Layton’s contribution to glass art has been at the forefront of British studio glass since the 1970s and has contributed hugely to its promotion and success. In the last 40 years, scores of talented glass makers have worked under his tutelage, producing successful collaborative projects and individual works of glass art. We are pleased to announce London Glass Blowing company will be hosting a week long pop-up at Alfies this September, in collaboration with Alfies 40th anniversary celebrations.

'Cascade' by Peter Layton, London Glass Blowing

At Alfies we are proud to have our own team of craftsmen and women.

Thirteen Upholstery Workshop have been based at Alfies for over 10 years and were established more than 20 years ago. They deal with all materials from silk to leather, on an unlimited range of vintage furniture and other items, in particular mid century pieces.

Luiz of Thirteen Upholstery at work

The finished result; a 1966 Jupiter chair designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop.

Thirteen Upholstery Workshop | Unit G005 | Tel: 07811 008 144

Symphony of Shadows are our vintage clothing alterations and repairs specialists. Laurie Vanian is skilled in all aspects of dress making including pattern making and creating bespoke pieces. From her studio at Alfies, Laurie is no ordinary seamstress; her unique background in the London punk scene, training at two of the very best fashion institutes, and experience with stage costume and underground fashion give Laurie a certain edge to her original and exquisite work.

Laurie Vanian working on a bespoke piece in her studio in Room D

Symphony of Shadows | Room D | Tel: 07951 527 568 | symphonyofshadowsdesign@gmail.com

William Campbell Fine Frames and Framing have been based at Alfies since 1992. William is an artist in his own right. He is skilled in creating a wide range of high quality bespoke wooden frames, from contemporary box frames to spectacular copies of period gilded frames. William is a proud member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, proving that he has built an enviable and consistent reputation in the business for excellence.

William Campbell

William Campbell's workshop window.

William Campbell Fine Frames and Framing | Unit G006-08 | Tel: 020 7723 7730 | Enquiries@williamcampbellframes.com