Mike Friton

Back in 2005 (ish) I visited the Technitex show in Frankfurt in my capacity as a Visiting Research Fellow for the Smart Clothes & Wearable Technology research group in the University of Wales, Newport.  Whilst pausing for a much needed coffee break I got chatting to a gentleman called Mike Friton sat next to me at the coffee bar.  When I said that I was a weaver, his eyes lit up and he asked if I'd like to see some handwoven cloth he'd made.  From his rucksack he unravelled a length of cloth woven with an undulating weft!  I then discovered he was one of the senior designer-innovators at the Nike 'Innovation Kitchen', responsible for some of the most iconic footwear developments, including the braided footwear.  It was fantastic to speak to someone with a passion for textile construction, who'd taught himself to weave in order to explore how to create more mouldable fabrics from the footwear perspective.

 

 

(c) Mike Friton

 

Above you can see some one his on-loom experiments, with the curved reed he made for his loom.
 
We stayed in touch, and a few months later it was with great pleasure that I was able to introduce him to Peter Collingwood to discuss warp and weft threads not following the expected linear vertical and horizontal paths. 

http://www.nikeblog.com/2013/02/12/video-profile-of-sneaker-innovator-mike-friton/ 

Mike now works independently, although still consults for Nike and other footwear companies.  Making is at the core of how he designs and innovates - as well as weaving, braiding, origami and kirigami are some of the methods he uses to develop ideas. You can find out more about him in this wonderful short film, and of course on his website.

 

The London Cloth Company

Film by Thomas Webster

 

After observing from afar for awhile with jaw-dropped admiration, I was lucky enough to hear Daniel Harris speak at an event in Wales a couple of years ago about The London Cloth Company, the micro-mill he had founded in the heart of London.  His enthusiasm is utterly infectious and I still can't overstate my awe for this seemingly insurmountable ambition to set up a mill. In London. The first for over a century.

He's passionate about the machinery and has been rescuing and resuscitating neglected looms and ancillary kit from all over the UK, which he now uses to primarily weave to commission for an illustrious list of international clients, including Ralph Lauren, Daks and Hardy Amies.

 (c) The London Cloth Company http://www.londoncloth.com/store-3/#!/Large-Checked-Woollen-Blanket/p/52164461/category=9998006

 



(c) The London Cloth Company http://www.londoncloth.com/store-3/#!/100-Cotton-Rope-dyed-Indigo-&-White-Herringbone/p/52743433/category=13958080

(c) The London Cloth Company  http://www.londoncloth.com/store-3/#!/Small-Individual-Swatches/p/52743799/category=13958080

PET Lamp

How seriously cool are these awesome handmade lamps?  Do check out the PET LAMP website to see more inspirational images and maybe make a purchase to support artisan makers across continents.

 

Craft in the Bay, Summer Show Focus on Weave open exhibition

This year, the annual open submission exhibition at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff (Wales, UK) has a focus on weave.  This can be in any material or craft process, not just a loom woven textile.   

Deadline for applications - 31st March 2016.

All details can be found following this link.