THIS AREA, south of the city centre, has always been synonymous with creative talent, a centre for designers and makers and Igloo has been keen to support and encourage these types of businesses to thrive at the development.
So when we were approached by a group of innovative young designers known as ‘Nous Vous’ to set up shop in one of our spaces, we jumped at the chance. ‘Top Up’, located on Water Lane next to Out of the Woods, is the first pop-up store curated by the collective and acts as both an exhibition space and work shop where graphic arts products and both made and sold, as well as providing insight into the people and story behind the items on display.
Nous Vous, which includes Jay Cover, a graphic designer, illustrator & artist, based in Leeds, has also used the space for a series of events including book launches, product showcases, talks & discussions and attracted a new consumer arts crowd down to the development.
With the help of many friends, Jay and the Nous Vous collective also took over the fourth floor of Marshall Mill for the first LOOP Arts Fair which took place in June. For one weekend a selection of the UK’s most exciting and original contemporary illustrators, graphic designers and applied artists relocated to Leeds, transforming Marshall’s Mill into working studios, print shops, publishing houses and workshops. It was the first applied arts weekender of its kind in the North of England.
The event was a huge success and saw more than 100 hundred people flocking down to the development over the three days, purchasing hand made designs and seeing some of the best UK design talent at work.
We know that the success of LOOP has set the team on the road to build a bigger programme of applied arts events in future, and we’d like to say thank you to Jay and the other crucial partners involved, Neil Owen of Test Space and Laura Wellington of Duke Studios, for their hard work and look forward to hearing about their plans for next year’s event.
In the meantime, if you’d like to check out Nous Vous’ work at Top Up, visit the shop at 111 Water Lane, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 5WD. Opening hours vary so email jay@nousvous.eu for an appointment or go to www.topup.tumblr.com