VICTORIA CENTRE UNVEILS BESPOKE LACE DESIGN INSPIRED BY NOTTINGHAM HERITAGE
19th May 2026
Victoria Centre, the East Midlands’ number one retail destination, is bringing a fresh twist to Nottingham’s iconic lace-making heritage with the launch of a bespoke lace design created exclusively for the centre.
Visitors can now spot the new artwork throughout the entrance points of Victoria Centre’s car park lift lobbies, adding a striking new feature to the shopping destination and creating a warm welcome inspired by Nottingham’s rich industrial and creative history.
The intricate lace design, inspired by the rare Nottingham Catchfly flower, has been created by lace designer Louise West, one of the few remaining lace designers in Nottingham today. Louise previously worked on a number of landmark city commissions, including projects at Nottingham Contemporary, helping to preserve and evolve the city’s world-famous lace industry alive through contemporary design.
The installation forms part of Victoria Centre’s ongoing celebration of the city’s industrial heritage, following a vibrant Glasshouse Street mural created by local artist, Elroy last year.
Nigel Wheatley, Centre Director at Victoria Centre said: “We’re incredibly excited and privileged to be celebrating Nottingham’s lace heritage at Victoria Centre.
“We’re passionate about bringing Nottingham’s rich history to life in modern and meaningful ways across the centre, and Louise’s beautiful design does exactly that. We can’t wait for visitors to experience it.”
Lousie West, Designer said: “It’s been a real privilege to create this bespoke design for Victoria Centre, celebrating Nottingham’s incredible lace-making legacy. I’m so excited for Victoria Centre’s visitors to see the finished piece and experience a part of Nottingham’s heritage in a new way.”
For more information, visit:
www.victoria-centre.com
Heritage Lace Designs
23rd September 2022
New Book launched 16th September 2022
A new book of Bedfordshire, Bucks Point and contemporary design was launched on 16th September, with the ready to work patterns following on 1st October. The book has 4 sections and all were inspired by the work carried out in 2021, researching the Erewash museum archives for an exhibition 'Legacy of Lace' with 4 other artists. The book also contains research carried out by Julie Varo into the history of one of the lace manufacturers - Frank Woodward, which section two of the book has designs in, inspired by his work from 1894 onwards. The book is available through the website shop and other lace suppliers in the UK and USA.
Mainframe Derby 2021 awards shortlist
16th March 2021
This year, after a difficult 12 months, supporting my students and a wider lacemaking community online, one of my students nominated me for an award for 'Unsung Hero' and on 24th February at the virtual online awards shortlisting event, I was shortlisted for the award. Now eagerly awaiting the final results on 27th April. Join me and everyone else at Mainframe, Derby on YouTube that evening to celebrate some amazing people.
Thank you to my students and Mainframe for the shortlisting.
On the awards evening, held online, I was runner up, but still felt very honoured to have been nominated by students, in recognition of the work put in supporting them in the last 12 months, and I thank them for this recognition.
Mainframe award 2020
16th March 2021
In November 2020, after a long delay due to the Covid pandemic, the finals were held in a virtual online ceremony for the Mainframe awards 2020.
I was delighted to win the Digital Disruptor award that evening, adding to my two from last year!
Thank you to everyone at the Quad and Mainframe Derby for the award.
On 11th April 2019, Louise received two awards from Mainframe at the Quad in Derby, for Best Digital/Creative Innovation and New Product to Market, for the Ready to work laser cut patterns. The idea grabbed the judges attention for the innovative way it solved a problem and being completely new to the lacemakers. They also liked the way it is using digital technology in a very traditional craft.
Thank you to the Quad for organising these awards and for the fantastic awards evening.
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