Sustainable craft stars join Goodwood Revival second-hand celebration

• TV presenter and sustainable interior designer, Micaela Sharp will lead the Revive & Thrive Craft content, with a modern re-imagining of the ‘Make Do and Mend’ ethos
• Author and founder of The Bargello Edit, Nerrisa Pratt will teach visitors to sew, stitch and salvage second-hand clothes in the Revive & Thrive Sewing Tent

Goodwood is thrilled to announce that Micaela Sharp and Nerrisa Pratt will be headlining Goodwood Revival’s Revive & Thrive Craft content, where workshops and demonstrations will empower visitors to breathe new life into second-hand belongings, from 8 to 10 September 2023.

With a special interest in using heritage skills in fresh, modern ways, Micaela has championed sustainable upcycling on a host of TV programmes – including Changing Rooms, Interior Design Masters, Kings of the Wood, Junk Masters and Flipping Profit - is the co-founder of interior design company, Micaela Sharp Design and bespoke furniture collective, Studio Janettie.

With a special interest in reviving heritage skills, Nerrisa set up The Bargello Edit in 2020, with a book and kits to re-introduce this retro needlecraft to the mainstream. She has appeared on ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas’, and recently surpassed a million views on TikTok with her first attempt at shoemaking. In February, she officially launched The Craft Room Co., a sustainably-minded sewing school in Guildford that offers workshops with influencers and local makers.

Held in the beautiful West Sussex countryside every September, Goodwood Revival is an immersive vintage experience set in period theme. Each year as we recreate the glamour and excitement that suffused the glory days of motor racing at Goodwood from 1948 to 1966, we revisit a time when people would ‘make do and mend’ cherished belongings for a lifetime of use.

In 2023 – Revival’s 25^th year - the Revive and Thrive Village will embrace that strikingly relevant ethos with heritage skill-focused demonstrations and pop-ups, and by amplifying the voices of those with a passion for sustainable heritage crafts. Within this creative hub, a schedule of live workshops and demonstrations with a line-up of experts from around the UK will champion the revival of beautiful old possessions.

Micaela Sharp said: “I’m excited to bring together a community of craftspeople and artists to impart their skills and expertise - my hope is that people will leave feeling better prepared to shop second-hand and use these crafts in their own lives, whether that’s to fix up a vintage dress or repurpose a thrifted find into something new.” @MicaelaSharpDesign

Nerrisa Pratt said: “It’s an honour to be a part of the Sewing Tent this year. Revival is such a glamorous experience, with this strong message that the crafts of the past can be used to repair, recycle and repurpose second-hand belongings.” @NerrisaPratt @TheBargelloEdit

The Duke of Richmond, founder of Goodwood Revival, said: “Micaela and Nerrisa are at the forefront of the modern wave of creative, sustainable craft; we are delighted to welcome them to Revival to share their expertise with our visitors. As we celebrate a landmark anniversary at Revival, we are keen to take the best of the past forward with us, building a platform with those who champion this lifestyle.”

The rest of the stellar line-up of experts and influencers will be announced soon.

Q+A WITH NERRISA PRATT

What do you most love about being able to sew?

I’ve got expensive taste, so to be able to look at a designer jumpsuit and know I can recreate it with some old curtains or thrifted sheets is priceless. There’s always a handy hack to create your own beautiful pieces in a more sustainable way.

What’s the wildest craft project you’ve embarked upon?

I was working at a marketing agency a few years ago and was quickly pegged as ‘the crafty one’ in the office. Before I knew it, I was teaching sustainable craft workshops at IKEA (one of our clients) and then ended up making over 10,000 metres of bunting for their various store openings!

How did you become such a prolific sewer and master so many different disciplines? 

Practice. Once my husband and I moved into our first flat, I made the spare room my sewing space and took a bunch of craft and sewing workshops to really hone my skills.  

What is it you love about Revival?

I can’t wait to see everyone again. The Revive & Thrive community really began at last year’s Revival, not just the crafters themselves but also the event audience. I’m also looking forward to bringing new faces to the Sewing Tent and hopefully I’ll catch some of the talks in between all the sewing.

You’ve already started shoemaking this year, what other new crafts are you planning to master in 2023?

For me, it’s about finessing the skills I already have, and becoming a more masterful maker. Moving from dressmaking into shoe-making feels like a very natural progression, for example. I seem to have a real thing for heritage skills, and some of them take a long time to really master, which is one of the reasons they’re often endangered. But you’re allowed to enjoy that process and find satisfaction and mindfulness in learning – not just the part where your end product is perfect. 

-ENDS-