Handmade in Britain was established over a decade ago by engineer-turned-designer Piyush Suri, an advocate of everything handmade. After working for a few years in the industry, he single-handedly built his initiative to support and promote British designer-makers.

Throughout its existence Handmade in Britain has provided a platform to support and promote design and craft talent through fairs, events and pop-ups. Workshops and business mentoring are also key to Handmade in Britain’s mission to support the designer-maker communities.
 
In addition to Handmade in Britain, he also runs Handmade at Kew, Handmade Oxford and Handmade Edinburgh. Now in its 12th year, we caught up with Piyush to gain some insights into what inspired him to start Handmade in Britain and to learn about his plans for the future.
 
What inspired you to set up Handmade in Britain?
I am a textile designer – the Chelsea Craft Show was hard to get into and was more high-end art. I wanted to create a space where handmade products could be commercial.
 
How has the event evolved over the years?
The brand now has a level of trust and attracts better quality designers.
 
What are your goals for future events?
I want to attract a younger crowd, which is why I’m looking at working with graduates from local colleges.
 
What trends are you seeing evolve?
The UK jewellery industry is booming and we’re also seeing organic textile trends with designers seeking inspiration from plants and nature. There’s a mixing of disciplines and an eco-conscious feel across the designers.
 
What’s your current passion project?
I love to spend time developing my own textiles interior brand, Penates, which is based in Provence, France.
 
Any travel recommendations for our readers?
My favourite destinations are Ubud, Bali and Oaxaca, Mexico and Copenhagen, Denmark (to eat at Noma restaurant)
 
Elinor Seath

We caught up with Darren Burn, founder of luxury travel company OutOfOffice.com, which specialises in LGBT friendly itineraries, to learn about his latest projects and what's up next on his destinations wish list. 

What influences do you draw upon to fuel your creativity?
I'm a brainstormer. I often find my creative juices flowing when I'm nowhere near a pen and paper. I try to meditate regularly and despite doing my best to focus solely on my breath, inevitably that's when I have the most clarity and come up with my ideas.
 
What is your current passion project?
We launched OutOfOffice.com only 10 months ago, so that takes up nearly all my time, but it's great to be working on something that I'm so passionate about - travel. I'm determined to explore every corner of this earth before my time is up, so being able to help others to do the same by using our expertise to tailor-make travel experiences is so important to me. Too many people these days just book a room and a flight rather than immersing themselves in a destination. And to be able to say we're one of the only travel companies to place an emphasis on gay-friendly travel is really important to me, too.

What is your idea of food Heaven? Food Hell?
Food heaven - there are too many choices, but anything with garlic usually ticks the box and anything chocolate orange flavoured is up there. A chocolate orange melt in the middle pudding - ideal. Food hell - mushrooms. I just don't understand why you'd want to eat a fungus!

Inspirational quote that you live by?
"It is my belief that we all have the need to feel special. It is this need that can bring out the best in us, yet the worst in us." - Janet Jackson

What city do you find the most:
-Inspirational? Key West
-Invigorating? London
-Relaxing? Sydney 
-Like your home away from home? New York

Favourite ‘blow the bank account’ place you like to stay when you’re treating yourself?
In a glass igloo in Lapland under the Northern Lights. Totally magical.

Favourite restaurant in the world?
The Hunt and Fish Club in New York.

Favourite holiday memory?
Being on an island in Fiji for a week with no phone signal whatsoever. Bliss.

What are your must-have travel essentials?
- Portable phone charger
- Travel pillow
- A comfy hoodie for long flights

What is your next adventure?
Next year I'll be heading to Mauritius, Key West and hopefully the winelands in South Africa. I also am desperate to get over to Japan and the Far East, but that may have to be on 2018's agenda.

​