Fashion Designer Tamsin Cooper to Speak at HANDMADE 2012

Fashion Designer Tamsin Cooper to Speak at HANDMADE 2012

Wellington, 22 December 2011

Well known New Zealand fashion accessory designer Tamsin Cooper will be a keynote speaker at HANDMADE 2012. She will talk about her thriving business that successfully mixes modern design with traditional embroidery and handmade techniques.

Tamsin will speak as part of the HANDMADE lecture series, offering an insight into her brand of luxury fashion accessories and coats. Based in Dunedin, Tamsin creates her beautiful range of fashion accessories and limited edition coats using contemporary design aesthetics which are then produced using traditional handmade techniques in Vietnam.

“I am looking forward to sharing my experiences at HANDMADE 2012,” says Tamsin.

“HANDMADE echoes principles that I base my business on - that is blending contemporary design with a commitment to making beautiful things by hand,” she says.

HANDMADE creator, Melanie Walker says despite pressure to mass produce in a competitive retail market, Tamsin has remained committed to making by hand in this age of fast fashion.

“This is something that HANDMADE celebrates,” says Melanie.

“Tamsin, an advocate for making by hand, will talk about how she strikes the beautiful balance between the tools and style of our modern age with the time-honoured skills of traditional handcrafted techniques.

“HANDMADE is a festival for people who want to learn the skills and crafts of previous generations but in today’s context, using modern technology and style. The lecture series complements the classes by giving people a chance to listen and be inspired by hearing about the business and intellectual aspects of craft and making by hand.

“The essence of HANDMADE is about bringing together experts to pass on their skills to people wanting to learn more about different crafts that are experiencing a renaissance. The programme we’ve got will once again bring a lot of choice to people wanting to learn in a friendly and enjoyable workshop environment," says Melanie.

HANDMADE 2012 will take place over Queen’s Birthday weekend in Wellington with an exciting two day programme. There are 80 activities on offer such as workshops, masterclasses and lectures that cover a wide variety of handmade crafts and skills across eight categories, Remade, Taste, Yarn, Homework, Heirloom, Stitch, World and Free Range.

Visit www.handmade2012.co.nz to view the full programme. Tickets will be on sale in February.

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