Lyndsey Currie, originally from Edinburgh, graduated from the School of Art and Design in 2017 and went on to become an associate teacher there. After a few years as staff at the University, Lyndsey decided to become self employed as a designer, setting up her own business earlier this year. Soon afterwards she was offered the opportunity to showcase and sell her knitwear designs at a seasonal Pop-Up Design Store at V&A Dundee.
Created in partnership with Tea Green in place of V&A Dundee’s annual Festive Design Market, the pop-up shop is providing Scottish designers and makers working across jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glassware and more with an opportunity to showcase and sell their products for a three month period from November to 31 January 2021, as a way to connect shoppers with some of Scotland’s best independent designers.
Lyndsey makes her collection of colourful knitted accessories on a hand powered knit machine from her home studio in Dundee and is working with Tea Green and V&A Dundee for the first time. Her work is inspired Brutalist architecture (emerging in the 1950s, it’s a style that is characterised by big, block-like buildings, such as the University’s Tower Building), while bright pops of colour bring her pieces to life.
Lyndsey said: “This has been a really challenging year for me as a start-up business. Shopping locally and supporting independent businesses and makers really does have a massive impact on whether a brand or shop survives or not. I’ve been promoting my work a lot online recently, but this is the first opportunity in months where people interested in my products don’t have to look at the colours and textures through a screen. I’m really delighted to be a part of this.”
Christian Moire, Head of Operations at V&A Dundee said:
“Supporting independent makers and designers has never been more crucial! It’s been at the heart of Tea Green’s business since they started out in 2014 which is why V&A Dundee is delighted to be working with them again, following on from last year’s successful Festive Design Market.”
“The people of Dundee have been great supporters of the design markets and pop-up shops over the years, and this year their support is needed more than ever,” said Joanne MacFadyen, founder of Tea Green.
Expect to find unique handmade pieces across jewellery, knitwear, ceramics, homeware accessories, glassware and illustration. See the full list of designers participating in the Tea Green Pop-Up Design Store at V&A Dundee at https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/info/shop#tea-green-pop-up-design-store
The Pop Up Design Store is open 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Thursday to Monday at V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ.