Future Icons founder speaks to Material Source
Recently, Future Icons founder Louisa Pacifico was invited to to speak to Material Source about craft materials and wonderful people. Read on for a few highlights, full article link can be found at the bottom of this post. Enjoy.
You represent a select collection of Design and craft led businesses, how does this collaborative process works?
When I launched Future Icons, I noticed a lack of support for mid-career craft and Design-led businesses. There has always been a lot of support for emerging brands, but brands that already have a fully equipped studio in place and a client base looking to upscale or change direction had little resources to refer too.
With this in mind, I first reached out to makers and designers I knew throughout my career and invited them to join for a discounted fee in year one as the concept of a hybrid consultancy and non-exclusive agency took shape.
With regard to accepting new members, the first aspect I look for is a passion for their craft. You can quickly see through the making skills and originality of our member collections that passion for their discipline is at the core of their businesses.
Businesses are welcome to apply for membership; however, clients must meet at least one criteria: Educated to an MA level, collections in museums/ prestigious retailers, or if they have won awards. If they have not met any of these criteria, then potential members are welcome to pitch to me.
I also look at collections and ask myself, 'would I have this in my home?'. I believe that if I aim to pitch and sell collections for my members, I must genuinely love the collections. This is then backed up with provenance they have provided me within their application. Both of these points significantly help me to 'sell my members' for new commercial or private projects.
Following this process, I meet suitable applicants to view works and, most importantly, discuss if we have the ability to work with each other. I have very personal relationships with each and every business; therefore, mutual trust and respect must be in place for membership to be granted.
What's been the highlight in collaborating in this way? Have you learned anything new?
I'm still a firm believer that live events are the best way to show works to new audiences. After the first couple of events I produced at our sister gallery 67 York Street, my members developed faith in my curating skills. A personal highlight for me is having built up their trust in me to display and represent their collections as a collective with and without them being present.
I was particularly proud of the curation at the inaugural 'The Future of Craft' for London Craft Week 2019. It was the first time I could show 17 large scale projects together as one collective. I refer back to my comment of 'would I have this in my home?' as the collections I represent are an extension of my taste, so in my mind, they all sit very well together.
As my members grew in numbers, I have had to learn quickly to be firm yet fair with my event production and curation plans. With limited space, time, and resources, I've had to take the confidence I have built up from previous showcases and assure new members this is the best way to work as a collective.
You're very committed and passionate about supporting both local and international makers and designers. Tell us about this?
I knew for some years, I wanted to launch my own business but lacked the confidence to do so. While at Craft Central, I looked at the 76+ solo business operators, and although many creatives suffer from levels of anxiety, I marveled at their passion and belief within their craft to run their own business/ life.
Therefore, when I decided to launch, I felt it was only right to place as much passion as dedication into my own business as my members do on their own. With regard to local and international designers, I pride myself on not discriminating on location, age, sex, etc. – if the work is strong and they are wonderful people, then I'm happy to represent them wherever they are in the world.
Finally, what are you looking forward to? Do you have any particular ambitions or new plans on the horizon?
Firstly, I simply cannot wait to co-produce The Future of Craft 2020. I'm a key collaborator alongside Design-Nation for Oxo Tower Wharf on this show. I, therefore, invest heavily in ample space to showcase Future Icons' collections during this London Craft Week show. This has currently been postponed due to Covid-19; however, we are hoping to produce it later in the year.
Secondly, a core ambition of mine is to connect with more luxury interior design practices and introduce them to my member skillsets for bespoke commissions. Although I already work with a number of these businesses, there are many more who rely on larger companies who often outsource their designs rather than create the works themselves.
Full article:
