2021 Student Collaboration at Fortnum & Mason

The Creative Dimension Trust is delighted to share that for over two weeks from 6th September 2021, work created by its students was on display within one of Fortnum & Mason’s windows in London Piccadilly.

 

The window display for Fortnum & Mason was designed by TCDT Trustee Simon Costin. Simon Costin’s work as a set designer brings the creativity of art installation to editorial and fashion shows alike. He has collaborated with Alexander McQueen on his own line and McQueen’s Givenchy ready to ready-to-wear and haute couture shows. Simon’s other clients include Lanvin, Tiffany, H&M, Valentino, Gucci, YSL and Faberge. Simon’s design consisted of a surreal window featuring a sky painted backdrop with a table laid for dinner complete with marbled wine glasses, gilded napkins, leather masks for the guests, a sugar paste flower arrangement as a centrepiece, and floating black mannequin hands holding knives above each plate. Student pieces in the display were also supported by work created by TCDT’s world-class tutors.

 

 

Speaking to Fortnum & Mason about the display, Simon said that he “…was delighted when Penny (TCDT Founder & CEO) asked me if I would like to weave together an idea for the window display. From what I’ve seen…the students look as if they have really embraced their classes and produced some remarkable work, considering that this would have been the first time that any of them have worked with materials in this way”.

 

“It’s one of the most magical aspects of the Trust, seeing the profound effect that working creatively on an imaginative project can have on the minds and hearts of young people who may never normally have the opportunity to do so.”

– Simon Costin, TCDT Trustee

 

First founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason has remained an essential destination for anyone in search of extraordinary food and exceptional service. Millions from around the world visit the iconic Eau De Nil store in Piccadilly to take Afternoon Tea and explore the famous Food Halls. Speaking about the display, Penny Bendall, TCDT Founder and CEO, commented, “Fortnum & Mason is an iconic store in the centre of London and has some of the best window displays in the world. For TCDT to be given the opportunity to display students’ work at Fortnum’s is simply incredible and demonstrates what The Creative Dimension Trust is aiming to achieve – young people from less advantaged backgrounds working with world class tutors producing wonderful objects!”

 

“Fortnum & Mason have given TCDT students an opportunity they would never have dreamed of. Some have never visited London before and many would not have been to Fortnum’s. They are incredibly excited and can’t wait to see the surrealist dining table come together. They will all be sent images of the window to add to their portfolio. It will make them very proud!”

– Penny Bendall, Founder & CEO TCDT

 

 

Various TCDT workshops were involved in creating work for the window display, with student work including:

 

“…nothing makes me prouder than to see my work and the work of others come to fruition. It would bring me great joy to see something that I have put effort into on display at a prestigious store and location. The project is not only about myself, but also about the other incredibly talented students who learnt a new craft and came together to form an amazing display.”

– TCDT Student, speaking to Fortnum & Mason

 

 

To view photos from the exciting display reveal, see the photo album here.

 

To read more about the unveiling of the window display, please see below for articles written about the event by Fortnum & Mason and the Evening Standard: