The Factory is a work and event space, spanning 9,000 square metres across a 5.2-acre site, designed to safeguard and grow the thriving artistic and cultural community surrounding the Royal Docks.
We’ve got indoor and outdoor spaces available for short and long-term hire! Get in touch via DM or email!
Studios available above the historic Grade II* listed Smithfield Market - a 27,000sqft hub for creatives, fashion, architecture, culture and more!
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We’ve got 2 lovely studios available at 58 Old Compton Street, which is an 8,000sqft Soho Townhouse comprising five floors and a roof terrace. The building is home to 16 different creative businesses, from an independent record label to a creative and strategic international scouting agency, and everything in between.
Enquire and request a viewing via DM or emails!
Nataal heads to Addis Ababa for a week of wonder with Creative DNA.
The British Council x Studio Smithfield residency hosted six designers from across Africa and the UK for a week-long immersion into Ethiopia’s fashion ecosystem. With days spent exchanging, exploring and making, and evenings spent enjoying ethio-jazz and beyaynetu platters, we’re nourished from head to soul.
“Ethiopian fashion is full of culture and adventure,” says local talent Solome Asfaw. “My generation of designers form a community. We all have different visions but we support each other.”
Full story: Nataal.com
Designers
Bettydora Odhiambo (@atienostudio )
Chido Kaseke (@patch_maoko_ezim )
Karoline Vitto (@karolinevitto )
Renata Brenha (@renata.brenha )
Solome Asfaw (@xufan_wear )
Yaku Stapleton (@yaku.____ )
Creative DNA
British Council (@southernafricaarts@eastafricaarts@britishcouncilet@ngbritisharts@britisharts )
Paul Smith’s Foundation (@paulsmithsfoundation )
IceAddis (@iceaddis )
Projekt (@thisisprojekt )
Nataal (@nataalmedia )
Words Helen Jennings (@hellojennings )
Portrait photography (slides 1-8) Lakin Ogunbanwo (@lakinogunbanwo )
Reportage (slides 9-16) Hernán De Majo (@hernan.demajo )
#nataalmedia #creativedna #britishcouncil #addisababa #africanfashion
We had the pleasure of hosting the six delegate designers of the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield Residency. A curated session exploring pattern-making, weaving and thoughtful exchange where craftsmanship, culture, and contemporary practice met.
An inspiring exchange we were honored to host.
#MFAL #MafiFashionAcademyAndLab #africanfashion
That’s a wrap!
A safe journey home for the six designers on the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield residency. As the Ethiopia exchange leg of this residency comes to an end we’d like to thank everyone who has helped make this trip possible.
Thank you once again to @iceaddis for creating such an insightful and in-depth itinerary focusing on the history, traditional craft, skill-sharing and creatives of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
We’re thrilled to host the International designers from Ethiopia, Kenya & Zimbabwe at Studio Smithfield later this summer with @thisisprojekt & @paulsmithsfoundation .
Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is delivered in partnership with @britisharts@thisisprojekt@iceaddis@paulsmithsfoundation
Thank you to Ice Addis for organising an incredible event showcasing the work of the six designers of the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield residency.
Both panels were a chance to talk about the topics covered within the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield residency, and their garments on show for the invitees to get a feel and sense for each of the delegates brands.
The topics discussed included Building Creative Partnerships, moderated by Metasebia Yosef & How Cultural Exchange Can Inform Your Creative Practice, moderated by Sara Ewunet.
Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is delivered in partnership with @britisharts@thisisprojekt@iceaddis@paulsmithsfoundation
The six delegate designers of the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield residency have now been in Ethiopia for almost a week & here’s what they’ve been up to!
A visit to the ShiroMeda market, and a trip to the Mafi Academy to visit the designer stdudios and try their hand at pattern cutting to create something inspired by their trip so far. Not to mention a demonstration on Shemena weaving as part of their learning on traditional materials, all organised by the @iceaddis team!
Stay tuned as we share more of their trip & keep an eye on our stories for an insider look at their time in Ethiopia!
Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is delivered in partnership with @britisharts@thisisprojekt@iceaddis@paulsmithsfoundation
With Cohort 2’s time at The Fashion Residency and mentoring sessions on their 80 hour bespoke business programme well underway, Sir Paul came by to give advice on their brands and impart some words of wisdom as they begin to work towards the goals they’ve set for their time with us at Studio Smithfield. Here’s how it went!
Day 1 complete! Yesterday saw the six designers touchdown in Ethiopia to begin the first leg of the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield programme.
The day began with an introduction to the programme with a get to know each other & cultural grounding session and a meeting with the other Creative DNA designers.
Over the next ten days we’ll be sharing highlights from their trip as they explore local craft and fashion in a programme led by @iceaddis so stay tuned!
Delivered in partnership with @britisharts@projekt@iceaddis
The other three designers selected for the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield programme are Bettydora Atieno (@atienoyarns ) from Kenya, as well as Yaku (@yaku_ ) and Renata Brenha (@renata.brenha ) from London.
The designers will first travel to Ethiopia for a 10 day exploration of craft and fashion, led by programme partner @iceaddis . This is followed by a 6-week residency at Studio Smithfield in London, including a free studio space, business mentoring and showcasing opportunities.
The first three designers selected for the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield programme are Solome Asfaw (@xufan_wear ) from Ethiopia, Karoline Vitto (@karolinevitto ) from London and Chido Kaseko (@patch_maoko_ezim ) from Zimbabwe.
The designers will first travel to Ethiopia for a 10 day exploration of craft and fashion, led by programme partner @iceaddis . This is followed by a 6-week residency at Studio Smithfield in London, including a free studio space, business mentoring and showcasing opportunities.
