The Creative Dimension Trust
Fortnum's is more than cups of tea and fully stocked hampers... although there's nothing wrong with that. We also have a long history of celebrating creativity and supporting the arts, whether it's in our wonderful windows or exhibitions throughout the building.
This autumn, we are very excited about our collaboration with The Creative Dimension Trust. Established in 2015, the trust offers online and in-venue workshops, with free tuition, to young people who wish to develop their hand skills, and their workshops range from architectural model making and enamelling to embroidery and leather working, and their workshops are taught by craft specialists who are acknowledged leaders in their professions.
The goal of these courses is to learn, experiment, gain confidence, take inspiration from the best, and have exposure to careers. In fact, TCDT runs 40 workshops per year and has taught over 70 different skills to thousands of young people.
We have invited a special group of students to create a display at our Piccadilly home!
Behind the Display
The Creative Dimension Trust is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, and their 5th window display at Fortnum & Mason has been designed as part of this celebration! Penny tells us more about the story behind the display.
"I asked TCDT alumnus Sophie Lloyd to create a sugar sculpture chandelier which has been adorned with 10 enamel and silver candles (representing the 10 years) made by our students this summer in the enamelling workshop at the Goldsmiths' Centre together with copper painted droplets made in the jewellery workshop also this summer.
"The third workshop involved in this project was embroidery - creating the banner displaying 'The Creative Dimension Trust' with each letter embroidered by a different student, the majority of whom had never done embroidery before!"
Penny Bendall
Penny Bendall is the CEO of the Trust, who is a ceramics conservator and holder of a Royal Warrant by appointment to The late Queen Elizabeth II. She also works with museums and auction houses including The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, the Sir John Soane’s Museum, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s. We spoke to her about this exciting project, asking her about all the talented students as well as the future of the trust.
Why do you think this project, as well as The Creative Dimension Trust, is so important?
Fortnum & Mason is an iconic store in the centre of London and has some of the best window displays in the world. For TCDT to be given the opportunity to display students work at Fortnum’s is simply incredible and demonstrates what The Creative Dimension Trust is aiming to achieve – young people from less advantaged backgrounds working with world class tutors producing wonderful objects! It’s clear from the students’ feedback that they absolutely love it.
Why do you think it means so much to them?
Fortnum & Mason have given TCDT students an opportunity they would never have dreamed of. Some have never visited London before and many would not have been to Fortnum’s. They are incredibly excited, and they will all be sent images of the window to add to their portfolio. It will make them very proud!
What do you hope the students take away from the experience?
Confidence – there are so many wonderful careers in the creative industries young people need to be make aware of. We hope this project will give TCDT students ideas of which direction they want to go and help them reach their full potential.
If you could pick a course, which one would you choose?
Puppet making – it’s an incredible workshop bringing everything to life!
Finally, we have to ask: what is your favourite thing from Fortnum’s?
Fortnum’s honey! Followed closely by Chocolate Florentines. So difficult to choose!
Inspiration
Discover The Journal, home to a host of our most delicious stories.
Resourceful Animals Windows
Charlie Mackesy at Fortnum's