ONE YEAR IN 2021 EXHIBITORS 

The OYI section at ND is the perfect place for newly launched creative businesses from all corners of design to flourish and develop their unique design brand. Creative collaborations are often born from designers exhibiting together for a week over the summer at the Business Design Centre. 

With OYI 2020 being postponed to the 2021 show, we caught up with OYI 2021 exhibitors, Alexandra Klimek and design duo Sarah Emily Porter and James Trundle of Porter + Trundle, to find out out how their business plans changed in 2020 and what advice they have for anyone applying for 2021 OYI.  

Carry on reading for an insight into their top tips are for any designers contemplating applying to exhibit for One Year In 2021 and how they adapted to the challenges of 2020. If you would like to know more about how to apply for OYI 2021 click here.

ALEXANDRA KLIMEK 

ACCESSORY DESIGNER, OYI 2021 EXHIBITOR 

@alexandra_klimek

As a physical New Designers 2020 was unable to take shape in our usual form, your place as a One Year In exhibitor was moved to 2021. Tell us, how have you spent your time this year? How have you plans changed?

I had a lot of plans this year that I had to cancel or postpone, including launching my online store and taking part in the One Year In exhibition. Instead, I focused all my energy on staying creative and developing new ideas.

One of my major achievements this year was participating in The Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2020. My products were nominated in 3 categories – Best Overall Handbag in Style and Design, Best Handmade Handbag and Best Mini Bag. Winning the Best Overall Handbag in Style and Design category spurred me on to create a new collection of bags that I will be launching in March this year and showcasing at the OYI exhibition and in August at the NY NOW trade show.

What would be your advice for anyone applying to exhibit for One Year In 2021?

My advice for designers, makers and crafts enthusiasts applying for One Year In would be to never stop believing in yourself. It’s your career and life, and nobody cares about it as much as you do (and don’t let the hiccough of 2020 get you down)!

We have seen a lot more support for small creative businesses recently, do you have any top tips for emerging design businesses? How do you promote your business?

As this year brought some limitations to promoting my products physically, I mainly do it online but try to stay creative while doing it.

As for tips for emerging businesses – believe in your product and yourself. Do not expect results straight away, remember they will come with time and hard work.

Can you give us a sneak peek into the future? What are your plans for 2021?

There are really exciting projects and the new collection coming up in the 2021, so keep ALEXANDRA KLIMEK’S accessories on your fashion radar.

The new collection will be available at my online store at the beginning of March 2021. June 2021 will be a month dedicated to long awaited OYI exhibition.

In August 2021 ALEXANDRA KLIMEK’S accessories will be showcased at NY NOW trade show (the place at the trade show was part of the award for winning the main category at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2020).

To support creative businesses and shop small, contact Alexander on either of the below for a commissioned accessory design:

Instagram: @alexandra_klimek

www.alexandraklimek.com

PORTER + TRUNDLE

FURNITURE DESIGNERS, OYI 2021 EXHIBITOR 

@porter_trundle

As a physical New Designers 2020 was unable to take shape in our usual form, your place as a One Year In exhibitor was moved to 2021. Tell us, how have you spent your time this year? How have your plans changed?

At the beginning of the year we were lucky enough to be selected by the UK Craft Council for their 2020 Hothouse Talent Programme so when the pandemic hit we were able to focus on this programme. As a result a large portion of our year has been working with them on our business plan, updating our website and creating marketing plans to ensure we’re in the best place to tackle 2021 and beyond.

We’ve also had a lot of fun gaining new skills with the addition of a lathe to our workshop, so expect some turned objects popping up at ND2021!

What would be your advice for anyone applying to exhibit for One Year In 2021?

It’s a really great opportunity to get exposure for your work so take the time to get some really good photographs of your products as this will help them make their decision.

We have seen a lot more support for small creative businesses recently, do you have any top tips for emerging design businesses? How do you promote your business?

We think all design businesses, whether new or old, need to be responsive to a changing environment and emerging businesses are in a better place than most to do this. Now more than ever we think it’s time to be proactive – gather with your friends and studio buddies to put on pop-up shows and embrace opportunities when they’re thrown your way.

This September we worked with other makers in our workshop to open our studio for the London Design Festival Peckham Trail. At the time we weren’t sure anyone would turn up, but as a result of our participation we were heavily promoted on social media and have been included in numerous trade magazines in Europe including Elle Decoration, Vogue, Feeling Wonen // Gael Maison and the hardcover book, “The Power of Craftsmanship: From Passion to Mastery” produced by Label in Poland.

Can you give us a sneak peek into the future? What are your plans for 2021?

We’re planning to continue to build on our portfolio of work, working on a new collection of playful objects that give agency back to the buyer, enabling them to interchange components and explore colour relationships for themselves. Hopefully they’ll be on display at a number of pop-up exhibitions and of course, New Designers 2021!

To support creative businesses and shop small, contact Porter + Trundle on either of the below for more information on their bespoke designs:

Instagram: @porter_trundle

www.portertrundle.com

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