Bethany Williams announces partnership with Crafts Council during London Fashion Week
Healing communities through grassroots collaboration
Bethany Williams, the pioneering designer, activist and artist (featured in issues 285 and 286 of Crafts magazine) announced a partnership with the Crafts Council at the launch of her Autumn / Winter 22 collection 'The Hands that Heal us' during London Fashion Week in February 2022.
The Hands that Heal Us is inspired by the ever-growing community of makers, creatives, local and social manufacturers, all of whom play an integral part in the Bethany WIlliams brand and supply chain. Williams explains “The primary focus of this collection are the many hands that touch our clothing throughout the making process, through the integration of artisanal and hand-crafted elements, in the form of weaving, knitting, printing, patchworking and embroidery. The life of each garment delicately passes through the hands of our intricate supply chain, and for that we feel immense gratitude to our makers, our tools and our team that surrounds us.”
This strong emphasis on the craft skills and processes of the collection prompted a series of conversations with the Crafts Council, celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. The Crafts Council, with the support of Bethany Williams, will shape a series of community-driven workshops and activities that will build on the enduring partnership with East London grassroots organisation The Magpie Project, and help to inspire the next generation of makers, creative entrepreneurs and changemakers.
“Bethany’s collaborative, open and playful approach to her business is underpinned by a rigorous commitment to ethical and sustainable growth and resonates deeply with our own values and beliefs.”
- Rosy Greenlees
The Hands that Heal Us, Bethany Williams A/W 22
Rosy Greenlees, executive director for the Crafts Council adds “In our 50th year, the Crafts Council’s anniversary campaign 'Make! Craft! Live!' is a rallying cry to unite all of us rethinking the role of making as a vehicle for social change. Bethany’s collaborative, open and playful approach to her business is underpinned by a rigorous commitment to ethical and sustainable growth and resonates deeply with our own values and beliefs.”
The A/W 22 collection was launched simultaneously at the Design Museum, along with a video presentation online. The Design Museum also opened an exhibition focusing on her approach: ‘Bethany Williams: Alternative Systems' is a celebration of the new way of working proposed for the fashion industry by the studio’s work. The free display is open to the public until Sunday 4 September.
