By occasion
Craft your one-of-a-kind natural rubber bag
7 hours initiation with Jo
Knowledge in the art of hat making
Your one-of-a-kind natural rubber bag
£160
per person
The workshop in detail
Join acclaimed artisan Jo for an immersive 7-hour workshop and experience first-hand her unique way of working with natural rubber to handcraft sculptural accessories. With an understanding developed over many years, Jo will guide you through her process to create a unique natural rubber body bag.
Throughout this immersive day you will get the feel for working with the character of natural rubber and learn about its journey from the tree to being a vegan alternative to leather. You will gain a basic understanding of its properties and how best to care for this beautiful material.
With Jo’s guidance you will begin by marking out the patterns for the different sections of your bag onto a woven cotton and carefully cutting them out. These sections will then be accurately placed and affixed to a natural rubber ‘skin’ – a sheet material developed by and unique to the studio.
Once the assembled materials are cured, you'll carefully mark out the seam allowance, cut it out and prepare it for stitching together using an industrial sewing machine.
Taking inspiration from the sculpture work in the studio and how you want to carry and hold your bag in relation to your individual body shape, you’ll be encouraged to transform the base pattern shape using hand moulding techniques. Once you have created a bag shape you are happy with you will be shown how to secure it so that the bag retains this form for years to come.
As your bag comes together Jo will offer and demonstrate different options for the bags interior, lining, handle and straps creating a more personalised bag to your own design and requirements.
Once complete, a final touch of surface polishing adds a brilliant shine and Jo will share valuable aftercare and maintenance advice.
This workshop is an extraordinary opportunity to delve into the captivating realm of craftsmanship developed by the studio and experience a truly original process. Jo’s expertise and guidance will empower you to learn and explore while working with natural rubber. The result? A tactile sculptural accessory that is unparalleled in its uniqueness.
As you bid farewell to the workshop, you’ll take home not just a bag but also a sense of accomplishment and newfound appreciation for the artistry.
This workshop is not suitable for anyone with a latex allergy.
Workshop location
The workshop is easily accessible by public transport.
Additional information
Language of the workshop
English
Practical information
Please note that this workshop is not suitable for individuals with latex allergies.
Meet Jo
Milliner
Jo, a talented artist with a background and Bachelor of Arts Degree in fine art, has made a remarkable journey into the world of headwear and accessories. She retrained in millinery at Kensington and Chelsea College, before pursuing a Master's in millinery at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London. Upon graduating, Jo went on to hone her skills working for renowned milliner Stephen Jones for three years in his prestigious model department. Her dedication and talent caught the attention of Sarabande - the Lee Alexander McQueen foundation, which supported her for two years, allowing her to further push the boundaries of her craft.
Collaborating with luxury houses and regularly gracing the pages of renowned magazines such as the NY Times, Vanity Fair, and Vogue, Jo's work has garnered well-deserved recognition and has been worn and bought by celebrities such as Beyonce and Erykah Badu. Jo's studio, located in a former nunnery in East London provides a wonderful glimpse into her artistic world. The spacious studio, adorned with green plants and featuring white walls, exudes a welcoming atmosphere.
Jo is best Known for mastering materials such as resin and having an open whilst considered relationship to her materials. Over the past 10 years she has developed and refined her own processes with an inquisitive and experimental nature. This has led to her gaining a knowledge and material understanding that is unrivalled. In recent years she has refocused to explore alternatives to plastics, launching her first artisan rain hat collection in natural latex rubber in 2022.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Jo's passion for teaching stems from her previous experience leading creative workshops within the community, schools and gallery settings for many years. Alongside this she has also taught extensively as a millinery tutor at Kensington and Chelsea College. She finds joy in sharing her expertise and knowledge with others, seeing it as a beautiful way to inspire and empower.
Jo’s studio is a true inspiration where you will see and experience first-hand her dedication to her artistry that shines through in every creation she brings to life.
Her workshops are a testament to her unrelenting energy for exploration, creativity and mastery of her craft.
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£160
per person
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