Craft & Connection: Lulu Lytle & James Fox at the Cabana Store

EVENTS | HAPPENINGS | WORLD OF CABANA

Lulu Lytle, founder of Soane Britain, and James Fox, art historian, broadcaster and author of Craftland, join Camilla Frances at the Cabana Seasonal Store on Sloane Street for British bubbles and a lively discussion about the past, present and future of craftsmanship. 

BY TEAM CABANA | HAPPENINGS | 8 DECEMBER 2025

Craftland author James Fox and Soane Britain founder Lulu Lytle discuss craftsmanship during an event at the Cabana store in London last week © Iona Wolff

It was standing-room only at Cabana’s London HQ last night as the brand's Seasonal Store on Sloane Street welcomed Lulu Lytle and James Fox for an insightful and impassioned discussion on the past, present and future of craftsmanship. 

Guests including designers Maria Speake and Anna Haines, antique dealers Katharine Pole and Adam Bentley, artists Sussy Cazalet and Katrin Moye, editor Ben Weaver, and makers Eleanor Lakelin, Laura Huston and Rollo Durnford Wood, crowded into the cozy space for the festive occasion, hosted by Camilla Frances, Cabana’s Digital Editorial Director.

Lulu Lytle (left) and Camilla Frances (right) catch up ahead of an in-conversation at the Cabana store on Sloane Street © Iona Wolff

Lulu Lytle, founder of Soane Britain, and James Fox, art historian, broadcaster and author of the newly-published book, Craftland: A journey through Britain’s lost arts and vanishing trades, drew a large crowd of designers, makers and leading voices in the craft world, among them Guy Salter, chair of London Craft Week, and Lisa Montague, CEO of Sanderson Design Group and chair of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).

In conversation with Camilla Frances, the pair discussed the future of craftsmanship in the UK and beyond, sharing insights from their considerable research and hands-on experience of the sector. The first topic delved into the thorny issue of the term ‘craft’ itself, with the panel agreeing that the term remains problematic.

“Craft is a slippery term because it means different things to different people," James Fox told the audience. "Some people see craft as a badge of honour, which is why many brands use 'craft', often slightly dishonestly, but there are other people who see the term as disparaging, and they associate it with being an amateur. I take a broad view; I think craft is the kind of work in which anyone is using a visual intelligence or a material intelligence to make things – for me, it’s not just about traditions, it’s about a particular way of working, a particular way of being in the world."

The lively conversation moved on to cover many subjects, including: Lulu and James' respective routes into craftsmanship; their research on makers and workshops across the UK; the joy of handmade objects, from baskets to scissors; the resurgence of interest in craft; how Lulu achieves her personal and professional commitment to sustainability and transparency while running a viable business; and James' belief that we are living through the "fourth revival" of craftsmanship in the UK.

James also shared examples of lost crafts and exceptional makers he visited during his research, before Camilla opened the floor to questions. The highly engaged audience wasted no time in joining the conversation, with attendees debating the definition of craft, and shared their hopes and concerns for the health of the sector.

Keep an eye on the Cabana Substack for a full transcript of the lively discussion. 

Editor Ben Weaver, founder of The London List, swapped design notes with florist and artist Georgina Wolsey, and interior architect and furniture designer, Leo Sentou, while waiters circulated with trays of British bubbles, courtesy of Digby Fine English sparkling, and savoury and sweet panettones courtesy of Marchesi 1824. 

After the talk, designers Jessica Horton, Rowena Morgan-Cox and Olivia Emery were among the attendees who queued to get their copies of Craftland signed, while Lulu Lytle was locked in conversation with industry leaders and Soane admirers. 

The Cabana store was characteristically cozy and colorful for the festive occasion with dried flower arrangements and candles artfully placed among Cabana fabrics and copies of Craftland. Conversations about craftsmanship continued long after closing, with makers swapping stories, experiences and ideas, as the last of the bubbles circulated.

James Fox signs a copy of Craftland for Lisa Montague © Iona Wolff

The Cabana Seasonal Store on Sloane Street is open 7 days a week through 22 December | 29 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9NE