Nottingham’s reputation as a global centre for lace making dates back to the early 19th century, when its intricate textiles were exported around the world. The industry shaped the city’s identity, combining skilled craftsmanship with industrial innovation and placing Nottingham firmly on the map for high-quality, decorative lace. We wanted to take a piece of that history, and display it proudly at Victoria Centre.
Celebrating Nottingham’s Industrial Heritage
A Modern Lace Design by Louise West
We’re honouring Nottingham’s lace making heritage through commissioning a bespoke lace design created in collaboration with local lace maker Louise West. Louise West is one of the few lace makers left in the city, and has worked on a number of city-wide projects including at Nottingham Contemporary.
Inspired by the native Nottingham flower the ‘Catchfly’, this design interprets historic lace motifs in a contemporary style, celebrating the detail and craftsmanship of the industry while making it relevant for our modern space.
Discover more about Louise West and her work here. or via her Instagram @laceyloudesign
Bringing Lace to Life in the Lift Lobbies
This heritage is honoured at Victoria Centre through a bespoke lace design created in collaboration with local lace maker Louise West. Inspired by the native Nottingham flower the ‘catch fly’, the design reinterprets historic lace motifs in a contemporary style, celebrating the detail and craftsmanship that defined the industry while making it relevant for our modern space.
Glass Making: Reflected in Art on Glasshouse Street
Nottingham’s industrial history also includes connections to glass blowing, reflected today by our vibrant mural on Glasshouse Street. Created by local artist Elroy (@elroytheartist on Instagram) as part of Artfest, the piece features a blown-glass-inspired design, with fluid shapes and bright colours that capture the movement and energy of molten glass.
It’s position on Glasshouse Street (named after the city’s historic links to glass production) connects past and present, transforming the area into a canvas that celebrates Nottingham’s creative and industrial heritage.
We continue to be passionate about bringing Nottingham’s rich history to life through partnerships with local creatives, and are proud to be home to such wonderful works of art.
(Photograph courtesy of Katerina Panaretaki)
