IT TAKES A VILLAGE
‘The WI is the original social network since 1915 and has been a voice of soft power in the UK, supporting numerous important causes close to our hearts – from tackling single use plastic to championing British craft’ Anya Hindmarch
For our latest concept store, Anya Hindmarch is proud to partner with the WI to bring It Takes A Village to The Village on Pont Street, Chelsea from 17th February until 26th March. Celebrating our aligned philosophies, together we’ve curated a collection of female craftspeople, a selection of beautiful products and a series of dynamic workshops, all celebrating women and craft. It is the first time that the village lends its voice to an external organisation, whilst donating to fund the aims and objectives of the WI.
KNITTING THE VILLAGE
To celebrate the new opening and mark London Fashion Week, a full Village ‘takeover’ will see the facades of each store entirely knitted and patchworked in bold colour.
Inside, alongside our raffia, crochet and hand-beaded pieces, you’ll find a rich and varied crafted line up – from unique hand stitched quilts to tufted rugs, apparel made from patchwork and vintage tablecloths to hand-knitted socks, sewing kits to craft supplies.
And the highlight of the project – our one-of-a-kind protest pouches; little bags created exclusively for this project, embroidered and sewn by makers across the country, inspired by the original WI banners. Plus, of course, our exclusive WI jam.
The space itself honours the long and varied history of the WI via a series of genuine present day and vintage WI protest banners, all hand made by members over the decades of the organisation’s existence.
MADE BY HAND
Our partner makers all craft their wares by hand, in small batches, discover a selection below…
Protest Pouches
Hand stitched with WI slogans and messages by individual makers and members of the WI, then crafted into beautiful pouches exclusively for It Takes A Village, each of our protest pouches are unique, and available in store only.
Quilted Bags
Our exclusive limited edition quilted bags are one of a kind, made from vintage and new patchwork pieces, then trimmed with our nastro – an Anya Hindmarch favourite. Each piece is numbered, dated, and stitched with our co-branded label.
Eloweave
Based in East London, founder of Eloweave, Eloise Holmes, uses a hand loom to weave her one off striped scarves. Her exclusive range for It Takes A Village are woven in her beautiful, natural materials – silk, wool and cotton yarn, hand dyed to her nuanced colours and co-branded.
Wendy Brandon Handmade Preserves
In operation since 1985, Wendy Brandon is committed to making luxury handmade preserves via domestic methods – the fruit is hand cut, the jars are hand filled and capped. Batches of Apricot Jam, Raspberry Jam and Seville Orange Marmalade are all presented in exclusive It Takes A Village jars.
Pemberton Quilts
Emily Campbell’s hand-crafted quilts are bright, bold and modern works of art made in the ancient traditions of patchwork. Emily has made bespoke TV Quilts exclusively for It Takes A Village. Co-branded with Anya Hindmarch, these perfectly cosy half-sized quilts will be available alongside a selection of her large-format quilts.
Magpie Vintage
A woman-owned independent fashion label based in London, Magpie Vintage works with salvaged vintage textiles to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Everything is made in their North London Studio and the label aims for a zero waste approach – saving scraps to make small accessories.
White Weft
Committed to circularity, White Weft upcycles denim to create unique, high quality products. Founded by denim designer Janelle Hanna, the brand creates their pieces from their Brixton studio, prioritising excellence in manufacture and impeccable finishing.
Mabli
Family run and based in Wales, Mabli crafts natural knitwear for children. Styles incorporate elements from Welsh Tapestry blankets with classic ribbed knitting. The label crafts with the highest quality Italian yarns – 100% extra fine Merino wool, linen and organic Pima cotton.
CRAFTIVIST COLLECTIVE WORKSHOP
Saturday 18th March
11am-12:30pm
2pm-3:30pm
12 places per workshop
Sarah Corbett, the award-winning activist, author and founder of the global Craftivist Collective will host two exclusive craftivism (craft + activism) workshops at It Takes A Village. Attendees will have the opportunity to stitch one of Sarah’s ‘Stitchable Changemakers’, a sewing project focusing on historic, powerful changemakers. The workshop will offer the opportunity to ‘slow down and stitch’, completing a tangible craftivism project to take home.
Limited to 12 adults per workshop. All craft resources supplied and ethically sourced. No craft skills needed. £35 per ticket.
ANYA HINDMARCH IN CONVERSATION WITH JANE ROBINSON
Tuesday 21st March
6:30pm-7:30pm
30 tickets
Prepare to rethink everything you know about the WI as acclaimed author and historian Jane Robinson brings the remarkable history of this organisation to life. 200,000 strong and counting, WI members cross class, religion and age, with passions that range from supporting the 1920s Bastardy Bill (in response to a wartime legacy of illegitimate babies) to the current SOS for Honey Bees campaign. It was founded in 1915 by the feistiest women in the country - suffragettes, academics and social crusaders who discovered the heady power of sisterhood, changing women's lives and their world in the process.
FIND US
It Takes A Village at the Village Hall
11 Pont St, London SW1X 9EH
Opening Hours
Monday-Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 12 - 5pm