TRI Design Festival
EVENT
March 2026
We were delighted to welcome guests to our Bluebird flagship gallery in Chelsea for a thoughtful discussion on craft and materials, as part of London's inaugural TRI Design Festival during London Design Week.
Our Bluebird gallery was packed as guests arrived to take their seats, enjoy a glass of champagne, and immerse themselves in an energetic and engaging interiew with Jude Leach, Managing Director of Timothy Oulton, moderated by Bilen Zeremariam, Editor-in-Chief of Olise magazine. It was a joy to see both familiar faces and new friends, from our wonderful customers to interior designers, Olise readers, and all lovers of characterful design.
The discussion, titled "Where Craft Meets Character" explored Timothy Oulton's commitment to authentic materials. Hand-finished leather hides were draped over the audience, while pieces of marble, slate, and reclaimed timber were passed around so everyone could see and feel their time-worn textures. Rock crystals, revered for their mystical properties, even made their way into the crowd to be caught. When asked how Timothy Oulton responds to a world that wants furniture delivered fast, Jude made no apologies that a Timothy Oulton piece takes time. Each one is handcrafted over many hours using difficult, time-honoured techniques - without compromise.
Jude also shared stories of her first meeting with founder Tim Oulton as one of his customers, and milestones along the way including winning the Harrods Service Excellence Award - which sparked fond memories for guests who had visited Timthy Oulton at Harrods - and the launch of our global flagship at Bluebird in 2018. When asked by a guest, "Why Bluebird?" Jude explained it had always been Tim's dream to have a home here, drawn to the location's rich history, its links to the Campbells and the Bluebird car, and the iconic King's Road associated with names like Vivienne Westwood and Sid Vicious.
The discussion ended to enthusiastic applause, with guests staying on to explore the gallery, recently refreshed with the 2026 Collection, and chat over drinks and canapes.
A huge thank you to everyone who shared their Friday night with us, and to everyone else who values craftsmanship, material integrity, and the importance of provenance in creating furniture with character, soul, and longevity.
you may also be interested in -