Brighton Art and Design Guide - LAST

Last Footwear
Art and Design Map


Alex Herdman first opened Last Footwear in Kemp Town Village in the summer of 2004 in the workshop space where she had done her shoemaking apprenticeship. In 2005 Last moved to it's present position in Pool Valley in 2008. Last launched an online shop www.lastfootwear.com



Alex did an art foundation course at Bucks University and was undecided whether to pursue a career in 3D design or Fashion. When she moved to Brighton she came across a small handmade shoe shop and was lucky enough to be offered an apprenticeship she stayed on after the apprenticeship and opened Last


"It seemed a natural progression to stay in Brighton - I enjoy the friendliness and abundance of creative talent in the city"

This beautiful shop is based in Pool Valley just off the sea end of East Street in Brighton's Lanes, next door to the lovely and legendary Mock Turtle Tea Shop.

Last specialises in shoes, accessories and hosiery, mostly hand made and with a definite emphasis on quality and interesting design.


Alex takes some of her inspiration from gallery shops "I have always loved going to galleries and museums and I suppose I took a lot of inspiration from gallery shops, I like the feeling that you are walking away with not just a shoe but a little artwork. I try and make the shop as welcoming as possible and do not want to be elitist, I try and have products that suit even the smallest pocket. I also really enjoy makers and designers bringing in their creations to sell in the shop and have found lots of my suppliers this way."
Alex says that in the main the shop attracts people who work in the creative industries and students.




Among craftsmen and designers who supply the shop are
Wolfram Lohr - Leather work


Rachel Eardley - Jewellery and Prints

Jane Beckley - Bags


Neoma - Leather work
Funn Stockings - Hosiery
Cecile Gilbert - Tiki - Jewellery


Thomas Murphy - Shoes
Florrie - Knitwear


Alpa Mistry - Ties
Amy Phipps - Accessories

Zoe Olivia John - Accessories

Rosa Mosa - Shoes

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Brighton Art Fair Banners and Cotton Bags

Ok now for a little vanity - it's great when something you've had a hand in designing goes up all around the home town and it's even better when it looks good. The banners are designed and illustrated each year by the founder of our fair - Sarah Young and have a loose 'transport' theme - this year the lady is leaving Brighton Art Fair happy, with art purchases in her personal submarine. (of course)

On some of our literature the submarine imagery has printed more subdued than we intended but these banners really look great on the seafront and hopefully do the job of enticing art lovers into our show too.


We're well into the countdown for the fifth Brighton Art Fair. The Leaflets went out on the 18th August the banners and posters on Monday. Invites have been posted and the PR campaign spurred into action.

As you can see the sun always shines in Brighton, and we're keeping our fingers crossed for the one good weekend of the summer for the Art Fair.


Also in the post this morning was a pallet of cotton goodybags designed by Sarah Young, to be given away exclusively to visitors to the Brighton Art Fair next weekend! We rather liked the shocking pink last year but perhaps the dusky purple is more classy!

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Xmas Presents 1

You've all taken the pledge (no doubt) to only buy handmade this Christmas as a gesture of support for designers and makers struggling against the hegemony of the chainstores! (or you just want something unique)
We'll be posting ideas for inexpensive christmas presents over the next few weeks. Here are a few ideas from Brighton Craft Fair makers


CATHERINE AITKEN
Large Gent's Toilet Bag Hunting Macleod £35.
Good strong grab bag with waterproof lining, fabulous for travel, in Harris Tweed Hunting Macleod. Strong zip closure and velvet pull tabs at either end for ease of opening and closing. 30cms long, 16cms wide and 5 cms high.
Buy on line from www.catherineaitken.com


LUCIE PRITCHARD

'to nellie from daisie' - purse £20 and can be bought at www.notonthehighstreet.com/luciepritchard


ALEXIS DOVE

Wild Rose stud earrings oxidised silver(also available in polished silver) £35 - to order contact Alexis Dove


SASKIA SHUTT

Solid silver cube earrings on hoops £30.
Order through www.saskiashutt.com
or email jewellery@saskiashutt.com


SYLPH BAIER


Hand-thrown - Blue Spiral Mug from Sylphs 'Lift range'. Dishwasher proof
£17 + 6.50 p& p

To Order ring - 01273 540552
or email - ceramics@sylphbaier.co.uk

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