‘Meet the Makers’ – Maker Susan Blackah!

We are pleased to be a part of the Bunting Collective project and we love showcasing the amazing makers involved! Our next maker is – Susan Blackah!

The Bunting Collective is a community project aimed at bringing vibrancy and colour to the Petticoat Lane Market by hanging community made bunting, using the materials and fabrics from the local fabric shops in the market.

The Aldgate Connect BID, City of London Corporation, and the Borough of Tower Hamlets are proud to present a ‘Meet the Maker’ series. The series is showcasing the makers of the bunting, who are all members of the community with a passion and love for the area!

Meet the third maker of this series, Susan Blackah!
See what Susan had to say about the project below:

My name is Susan Blackah and I have been visiting Aldgate over many years, since I was a young child. I especially enjoy the markets in this area.

I have been involved with textiles from a very early age. I sewed as a child, studied Fashion and Design, worked in Interior Design, taught Textiles for 15 years and have a small business designing and making Textiles products. I design and make unique pieces of clothing and fashion accessories to make people feel special and stand out from the crowd. What better way to enjoy colour, pattern and design on fabric than creating striking and uplifting bunting as part of a collective!

What I enjoyed most about being part of the Bunting Collective project was working with different people to create eye-catching, colourful and interesting bunting, which will enhance this historical area of London.

The pandemic has made this vibrant, busy area of London quiet and empty! It is unfortunate that the lockdown restrictions have meant that working together on the bunting in a community setting has not been possible. However, I do think that the Bunting Collective will add significant value to Petticoat Lane Market! The fabrics used for the bunting represent the fabric stores in Wentworth St. and Middlesex St. The colours, patterns and designs will bring vibrancy, warmth, joy, interest and excitement into the market and hopefully remind people of the fantastic textile history of this area. The bunting will be uplifting!

My three words to describe Aldgate would be: diverse, bustling and historical.