ōH Design Foundation Prospectus V11 by MONIKA Studio

Prospectus 2023

Kalocsa Collection by Lili Sipeki.1

CONTENTS:

Artist Neil Keiting live drawing at ōH Store.

OVERVIEW

....................3

HISTORY OF CREATIVE CHESTER

....................5

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

.....................6

WHO WE ARE

.....................7

OUR VISION/ MISSION/ VALUES

...................10

OUR TEAM

....................11

OUR PARTNERS

...................12

THE SWEET SPOT

...................13

WHAT WE DO & HOW WE DO IT

...................14

THE CIRCULAR oH ECOSYSTEM

...................16

CASE STUDY: OSCAR MUNRO

...................17

CASE STUDY: BEPO+

...................18

CASE STUDY: LILI SIPEKI

...................19

CASE STUDY: TDS

...................20

CASE STUDY: FELT MISTRESS

..................21

WHY WE DO IT

...................22

WHY HERE & WHY NOW

..................24

WHAT CAN YOU DO

...................26

HOW WE’RE FUNDED & REGULATED

..................27

..................28 2

OVERVIEW:

The creative economy is now central to Government strategy, with the June 2023 publication of the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) ‘Creative Industries Sector Vision’ and the ambition to grow by an extra £50bn by 2030.

Since 2010 the Creative Industries have grown more than twice the rate of the wider UK economy, supporting 3.5 million jobs. By 2019 the creative economy had contributed £116bn to UK GVA – that’s more than life-sciences, automotive, aerospace and gas and oil combined.

Graduate Lucy Marwood experimenting with foodwaste for the design of her tableware collection.

Beyond this, arts and culture have a positive effect on the places around them, giving them a local flavour rather than a homogenous look – making the high street a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place – which in turn supports regeneration, tourism and employment. oH DESIGN FOUNDATION copyright 2023

Chester has a long and proud association with arts and culture, design and craftsmanship, spanning millennia. From Roman architects building the city-walls and amphitheatre in the first century AD, through to the opening – 20 centuries later – of the multi-award-winning cultural hub, Storyhouse, in 2017.

But, one of the truths of the creative economy is that no two places are alike – each city, each region is different and has to build on its own creative traditions, its skills, its heritage and its culture.

BEPO Pop-up at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in collaboration with ōH Collective.

The important thing for us to look at moving forward is, what is different and distinctive in Chester as a city, and as a community. That’s what a truly creative economy is – it grows from people’s hearts and minds. And so, if creativity is the fuel of the 21st century, then let’s buckle up and accelerate forward, towards Chester’s creative future… oH DESIGN FOUNDATION copyright 2023

HISTORY OF CREATIVE CHESTER:

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR:

Through the work of the ōH Foundation there is a unique opportunity to attract, retain and develop our creatives – allowing start-ups to become scale-ups and turning local businesses into international exporters.

At ōH Foundation we understand the desire to make a difference. We are committed to making Chester a creative city. And, invite you to invest in our capacity to do that, by supporting the ōH Foundation programme. Bense Burnett

ōH Foundation is a new initiative backed by a team of professionals, coming together to support the regeneration of Chester city-centre and its future as a prime regional hub for independent creative enterprise through art, design and product innovation. Our objectives are clear: to champion local talent, empower growth and drive positive change so that a sustainable place on Chester’s high street is a genuine reality and migrating to Liverpool, Manchester or London to progress is optional – not conditional. We invite you to get involved – by donating money, services or your time, alongside other supporters such as Chester Race Company, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the University of Chester – in what we believe is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact, fuelling the city’s economy, culture and society.

WHO WE ARE:

The ōH Foundation is a newly formed entrepreneurial community interest company (CIC) committed to supporting the growth and development of the creative industries in Chester. We work with partners across the public and private sectors to design and deliver programmes that enable economic growth and social impact. Its formation as a CIC is the accelerated response to the organic development of the ōH Concept Store which in 2022 opened its doors at 11 Lower Bridge Street.

Our Story so far...

Before the ōH Concept Store existed there was no natural meeting place in Chester for many of the city’s creatives. They were mostly working out of their bedrooms and not selling much, except online. Anna @Forest & Clay: Cheshire studio supplies ceramisc to the store and our cafe.

The ōH Concept Store rapidly responded to give customers what they said they wanted – experiential shopping, slow fashion, handcrafted and sustainable products.

Shortly after, the ōH Collective was born. It offered both incubator ‘atelier’ workspace and retail-testing to a variety of makers and creatives, to demonstrate that if you have the talent and skills, you can work anywhere. That evolution has necessitated a move to 22 Bridge Street, which is not only four times larger, but in a premium location. More than a ‘shop’ or a hangout for hipsters – it’s a platform for creatives to design, manufacture and testbed their products in an experience-based retail environment. ōH Customer trying on bespoke BEPO PArachute jacket.

The ōH Collective now comprises 14 startups. Currently fashion-led, but also includes a carpenter, a potter, a sculptor and a product designer.

Our ethos is: • Quality and raising the bar • Curated approach – the ōH aesthetic is contemporary in style, but using craft techniques • Sustainability

BEPO Pop-up at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in collaboration with ōH Collective.

OUR VISION:

OUR MISSION:

OUR VALUES:

That the creative industries become an even greater growth engine and where creative talent from all backgrounds and sectors can thrive.

It’s really quite simple. Our mission is to combine impact and progress outcomes in three key areas:

Creativity is at the heart of what we do and how we do it. Our values shape how we work in partnership and as a team. We are:

• Creative business growth – by super-charging home-grown talent and skills • Regeneration – of the high-street through the start-up and scale-up of independent businesses • Community – for the community & people to benefit from the refurbishment and

• Adaptable • Collaborative • Creative • Inclusive • Passionate • Progressive

transformation of local facilities

Circular kintsugi workshop enouraged our customers to creatively bring to life broken ceramics.

OUR TEAM:

Bense Burnett, Chair: Bense has a background of international business with over 25 years experience in strategy, project and change management, as well as governance. He is a long-term supporter of the arts and is married to a visual artist. He has been a trustee of Storyhouse since 2020 and will continue in that role. Monika Swindells, Managing Director & Creative Director: Architect, designer, artist and curator. Monika’s vision and creativity drive an unyielding passion to realise every project as a multi-dimensional system which has led to successful collabs with brands like Hilton, Silverstone, BOHO or LFC. Monika strives to promote, educate, and create a purposeful approach to design on every level. For Monika ōH is bound and enhanced by a collective creative tuning. Tony Swindells, Strategy & Growth Consultant: An architect, designer, maker, strategist and entrepreneur with some 30 years experience working in the creative industries as a designer, mentor, and equity director. His current time is devoted to creative regeneration, investment and academic pursuits which seek to amplify and harness the power of purposeful design. Stephen Morris, Commercial Director: A surveyor by training, Stephen worked for family-owned commercial property specialist Bruntwood for over 20 years, three of which were as senior portfolio manager – including its digital campus project. Stephen has the expertise to lead our portfolio growth.

Aki Noda- Roughley, Administrator: A brand marketeer by background with extensive experience in multi-national organisations including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Bloomberg and Barneys New York. Originally from Tokyo, she has lived in Toronto, San Francisco, London, Bangkok and moved to Chester in the summer of 2022.

OUR PARTNERS: Genuine and transparent partnership is key to what we do. Our private and public sector partners include:

THE SWEET SPOT: There are several key elements to what we do and the “sweet spot” is where they overlap. The Foundation works beyond being symbiotic, it is synergistic.

We offer our creatives an immersive experience in what it is like to work in a commercial design studio and then go-tomarket in a bricks-and-mortar, premium location, retail space. We don’t just teach skills such as design thinking, creativity and confidence – we give them the opportunity to put them into practice. This is our unique selling point. In the middle of the diagram is the area where the two circles intersect – this is an area of limitless possibility. We call it the “sweet spot” because it’s where the magic happens. When you’re in it you want to shout: “ōH yeah baby, this is where it’s at!”

Anna @Forest & Clay: Cheshire studio supplies ceramisc to the store and our cafe.

WHAT WE DO & HOW WE DO IT:

1. There are three

The ōH Foundation Programme: A launch-pad for talented creatives that bridges the gaps between education, employment, start-ups and scale-ups. It offers a development route for creative professionals which is currently unavailable.

key elements to our programme:

• Incubator workspace (workshop, atelier studio and retail) • Business support (bespoke mentoring and professional services) • Fund-finding

2. Further

opportunities such as:

• Pop-up exhibitions • Local partner events • Networking to share good practice and knowledge Illustrator Jonathan Edwards during the talk Monsters & Dreams

3. The programme will contribute to wider regeneration outcomes and to cross-sector pollination within the high-street, including:

• Creating new footfall and a focal point • Enabling activity to be driven back to underused areas of the Rows • Encouraging communities, retailers and consumers, to engage directly in activities • Enhancing the presence of University of Chester in the city-centre and therefore opportunities for students to remain and then trade in Chester.

Fitting session with Oscar Munro for bespoke comission.

THE CIRCULAR oH ECOSYSTEM: Inspired by the BFC Circular Fashion Ecosystem Diagram & Ellen MacArthur Foundation Circular Economy Butterfly Diagram

CASE STUDY: Oscar Munro

Born in Chester, Oscar graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2020 with a first-class degree in Fashion Design and the ambition to launch his own sustainable clothing and accessories brand using unusual materials, such as car-seat belts or sail-cloth. Although working part-time in Manchester – as a shirt-maker and pattern cutter – and despite dedicating time to honing his craft, Oscar was struggling to break into the commercial market. Previously working from his bedroom, mainly on commissions from family and friends, oH recognised the potential in Oscar’s design talent and circular agenda. The positive impact of joining ōH Collective has meant he has had access to studio space, more equipment and a customer base that appreciates bespoke creations. Subsequently he has collaborated with both BEPO and mother and daughter duo, TDS. More recently he has received – and is now working on – his first order for the Tate, both in-gallery shops and online. www.oscarmunro.com Makers Weekend at ōH. Oscar Munro life-sewing in store.

CASE STUDY: BEPO +

Founded by husband and wife team, Ben and Natalia, as a response to his mental health struggles – having an ADHD diagnosis at age 43 – the purpose of BEPO was to positively channel his energy and creativity. The thinking was to get more people talking about mental health through what they wear. When the brand was approached by ōH in 2022 it had already traded for 8 years, but with no access or opportunity for mentorship or scale-up help. The impact of the ōH collaboration to produce a Limited Edition Capsule Collection has now taken BEPO to the next level – using the oH studio to deliver new designs, and make new connections: across art, music and fashion and across a cluster of creative cities. BEPO has sustainability and inclusivity high on its agenda with the use of unused MoD parachutes, unissued military surplus and dead stock fabrics for its unisex clothing range. This has resulted in BEPO becoming ōH’s best selling brand. www.teambepo.co.uk

Handmade top and skirt set, part of the BEPO signature parachute range.

CASE STUDY: Lili Sipeki

The award-winning fashion designer with a BA from the University of Chester was introduced to ōH by the Programme Leader for the Fashion Design BA, Delphine Wilson. Lili was already recognised as a Redress Design Award 2021 finalist as well as semi-finalist in 2018 for her sustainable efforts. However, previously she had struggled to find a platform that allowed her to explore and develop products and to then test them in a retail environment. Since joining the ōH Collective in early 2023 Lili has been able to create a highly popular made-to-measure denim collection, now supported by mid-range and off-the-hanger pieces. She continues to experiment with materials, commercialising her production process and stress-testing her brave designs. She is working under the mentorship of Monika Swindells and collaborates with other ōH Collective designers. www.sipeki.com

Reform collection, showcased in Hong Kong.

CASE STUDY: The Design Studio Hawarden

Sally and Lettie are the mother-daughter duo behind TDS. With over 30 years’ experience, Sally has always made Lettie’s clothes since she was a child and still does! It wasn’t until Lettie’s second year at university when wearing a jacket her mother had made for her, that she realised the potential for them to build together their own independent British brand. Since teaming up in 2014 TDS has built the brand through social media and a reputation for creating one-off pieces. TDS has been featured in Elle, the Financial Times, Vogue and Teen Vogue and worn by Sophie Turner, Suki Waterhouse, Joudan Dunn and Aimee-Lou Wood. Joining the ōH Collective has brought the TDS brand back to the North West, becoming its first official retailer. Both Sally and Lettie with their backgrounds in fashion, styling and education have become mentors themselves, promoting intergenerational connections within the creative industry and opportunities for the entire ōH Collective. www.lovetds.com

One size, one off bombers designed by Lettie, made by Sally.

CASE STUDY: Felt Mistress & Jonathan Edwards This established UK based design partnership – a felt sculptor and critically acclaimed illustrator – are well known in Japan and Finland and worked on high profile projects in London, New York, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo. There was a fabulous response by ōH customers to these magical felt creatures when they were retailed in ōH Concept Store. Louise originally trained in fashion and millinery and has brought many of the skills learnt as a couture dressmaker to the world of character design and soft sculpture. Following the exhibition and retail success ōH has since facilitated collaboration with Storyhouse to introduce Archipelagogo – originally commissioned by the Finnish Institute in London and LICAF (The Lakes International Comic Art Festival)– and which will become a headline event of ‘Chester Creative’, the unofficial fringe to the Chester Biennale taking place in September 2023. Louise and Jonathan’s creations are imaginative and brave, celebrating diversity and individuality – both central to the oH philosophy. Jonathan is currently working on mentoring the Chester Sketchbook Project. www.feltmistress.com www.jonathan-e.com archipelagogoexhibition

Trunk & Loggins designed by Felt Mistress & Jonathan Edwards, available to purchase in store.

WHY WE DO IT:

Their success depends on the supply of talent from schools, colleges and universities. And that’s the problem. In recent years the number of UK students taking creative subjects at GCSE and A Level has plummeted by 30%.

On a daily basis we all interact with the outputs of the creative industries – the clothes we wear, the news and entertainment we consume, and the environments in which we live, work, play and learn.

BEPO preparing new range for the store utilising recycled parachutes.

By helping support homegrown talent now the ōH Foundation aims to contribute to the future health and vibrancy of the creative industries. But, even when talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.

There are talented people with great ideas, but they do not have the money, the networks or the confidence to put their ideas into practice. So, as well as fund-finding, we connect our creatives to markets and networks and try to give them the confidence to step out into the world on their own.

Our mission is to bring together creatives with mentors, educators and industry leaders to support and encourage intergenerational talent to reach their full potential.

Lili Sipeki at ōH Studio.

WHY HERE & WHY NOW:

In 2021 it was named City of the Year in the UK Staycation Awards. In 2022 it was ranked by scientists as the world’s most beautiful city – having the highest percentage (83.7%) of buildings aligning with the ‘golden ratio’ of proportion.

Simply put, Chester is having a moment in the sun…

Beyond its natural beauty Chester also has natural infrastructure, as well as a history of designing, making and trading. The North West was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and is now at the forefront of another, with the region being the highest performing creative cluster outside of London. In 2022 Chester was named as one of the most creative places in the UK by StartupGeek (7th out of 118 locations).

Colaborattion with Pseudokulture community: exhibition of poetry, photography & motion picture.

Government has the ambition to grow the creative industries by an extra £50 billion while creating one million extra jobs by 2030. And Levelling Up is its flagship policy, intended to address regional inequality, again by 2030. Will it work? It’s a good start, but it’s not enough.

Chester now needs to play to its unique strengths and ōH has a strong foundation to build on. For the first time people with the right experience and creative vision have finally come together. They are professionals who understand the challenges of business as much as creative process and development. But above all, they understand the need for collaboration. We believe our city has an unparalleled opportunity in the decades ahead, but we need to take action. Together. Today.

Are you with us? Candle making workshop with Woodspring Co. explore connections between fragrances & memories.

WHAT CAN YOU DO:

While major donors are crucial, they’re fewer in number, so small donations are vitally important. Whether you can give £5 or £5,000 it will have an impact that goes way beyond the amount you’ve donated. Every one-off or monthly donation you make helps us to buy equipment and training to meet our end goal and create positive change for our creatives, Chester city-centre and its community.

Donate today! Your small donation can help us make a big difference...

What your money can buy: • £5 will pay for a Posca pen used by artists • £50 will cover two hours of training in business management • £500 will fund a student placement for two weeks • £5,000 will buy specialist equipment such as a button-hole machine

DONATE HERE We also need your experience! Oscar Munro preesents his latest collection of unisex handbags that utilise discarted car seat belts.

To find out how to become a patron, mentor or volunteer please email: bense@ohfoundation.uk 26

HOW WE’RE FUNDED & REGULATED:

Community Interest Companies (CICs) are specifically identified with social enterprise and are typically set up by entrepreneurs who want to do good in a form other than charity. ōH: Chester Design Foundation is registered with Companies House and has satisfied a Community Interest Test to show that its primary purpose is to provide benefits to the community, rather than the individuals, who own, run or work for the organisation. An annual Community Interest Report is submitted to the CIC Regulator. A CIC is designed to trade, whereas charities can only trade in certain circumstances. And so, because trading through the ōH Concept Store is integral to the Foundation programme, that’s the reason why we chose to be a CIC, rather than a charity. There are pros and cons to that – the main downside being that CICs don’t get any tax breaks – so we have to pay corporation tax at 25% on income and don’t qualify for GiftAid on donations made. As well as paying for equipment and training we also need to meet the day-to-day costs of keeping open the oH Concept Store and atelier space with staff, heating and lighting. And so, every penny we receive really does count…

Becca Porter No Man's Land Collection.

prospectus v10 29.10.2023

www.ohfoundation.uk contact: Bense Burnett _ bense@ohfoundation.uk Monika Swindells_ monika@ohfoundation.uk general enquiries _contact@ohfoundation.uk press enquiries_press@ohfoundation.uk Fashion designers Oscar Munro & Ben Taylor (BEPO+) collaborborating at ōH Studio