Concrete Wardrobe is a unique retail space on Edinburgh's Broughton Street. Stocking work from over 200 Scottish-based or Scottish-trained designer makers, from disciplines as diverse as silk screen printing, weaving, ceramics, knitting, fashion design, jewellery, lighting design, glass and printmaking.
Co-owned by Fiona McIntosh and James Donald, Concrete Wardrobe is dedicated to promoting affordable, high quality work from Scottish-based or Scottish-trained designer makers. Work is manufactured and supplied as one-off pieces or as small batch production ranges, many of which are exclusive to Concrete Wardrobe. The staff also have process knowledge, an understanding of the products within the space, extensive practical skills and all supply the space with their own products.
Maker of the Month β July
Ingrid Phillips Phillips's glass pieces are hand blown and then finished at her studio in Edinburgh. Her work explores ideas of form, function and decoration, often resulting in a vessel that is altogether functional, non-functional and beautifully formed. Inspiration and ideas come from nature and science, as well as reflection and experience. Hand blowing techniques allow Phillips to use the natural fluid qualities of molten glass to manipulate and exaggerate the forms of her work. Although often working in clear glass to illuminate its natural qualities, colour is also introduced to reflect the contrasting colours present within nature. For example, the presence of yellow lichen on black rock. Cold working techniques including finishing, cutting and polishing are often applied as a second stage to a vessel; exploring spatial qualities or enhancing a play of light within the glass walls or surface of the glass. Phillips graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a masters degree in Design in 1999. She trained in glass blowing techniques in Scandinavia and the USA before setting up her company iGlass in Edinburgh in 2000.
The iGlass range for 2010 includes salad bowls, vases and drinking vessels, including her candy coloured tropical tumblers. The new range includes the mixing of opaque and transparent colours to create an exciting new summery palette. She says 'my pieces are all one offs, produced in small batches and at affordable prices. Concrete Wardrobe customers will be treated to a feast of exciting colour and functional forms'. Fiona McIntosh, co-owner of Concrete Wardrobe commented 'the iGlass range is both unique and affordable. It highlights all that is wonderful about Scottish craft today'.
iGlass work will be on sale at Concrete Wardrobe from 1stβ31st July 2010
Concrete Wardrobe 50A Broughton Street Edinburgh, EH1 3SA Tel: 0131 558 7130
