Ray Clarke is one of a new breed of upholsterers/furniture designers, making things to sit on that are practical and comfortable but also luxurious, beautiful and contemporary. Ray’s unique bespoke furniture is made with a designer’s eye for shape and colour, but is also created to traditional craftsman’s standards to withstand the rigours of time and heavy wear.
Whatever its purpose or type, silhouette or colour, every piece of Ray's furniture looks effortlessly poised. His creations have a grace all of their own, capable of enhancing every kind of environment.
Ray worked in fashion retail before going solo to launch his first business: Pedalpunk Cycle Wear. Inspired by Ray’s experiences as a cycle courier, his outdoor clothes were purpose-built to combine the edginess of urban streetwear with the toughness needed to resist the elements, oil and dust that accompany life in the saddle. Here Ray began working with performance fabrics and heavy-duty sewing techniques, applying these to designs built to be rugged, practical - and elegant. Pedalpunk taught Ray how to bring beauty into a high-impact world where functionality mattered. Just as importantly, it taught him to hone his practical business skills, with advice and funding from the Prince’s Trust and East London Small Business Centre.
As Ray built up his portfolio, he began to receive commissions from customers eager to make use of his talent beyond the world of fashion design. The turning point came when he was asked to try a project restoring some office furniture. Ray took on the job and discovered a craft that challenged both his aesthetic sense and practical skills. He knew straight away that he had found a new creative purpose.
Inspired by the success of his first upholstery projects, in
September 2003 Ray made the decision to re-train formally in upholstery and soft furnishings. He enrolled at London Metropolitan
University and completed a City & Guilds Level 2 qualification in
traditional and modern upholstery. Since graduation, Ray has
completed a wide range of commissions for commercial and domestic clients.
Lately he has carved his own distinct niche creating bespoke upholstery for London’s bars and clubs, including Cargo, Industry, Market Place, Catch and Bluu bar. "I love the freedom that this work gives me to transform a space completely. The challenge is to create something distinctive that can stand up to the wear of London’s late night crowd. I love to go out, I love to socialise, so it’s simple. I make the kind of seats I want to sit on when I’m out!’’
Ray’s keen eye for style sets the standard for every piece of furniture he makes. Beauty is always paramount. But his creative flair is bound to a commitment to durability, quality and high standards of workmanship. "Upholstery isn't fashion! Everything has to be ten times as tough, ten times as strong." As well as creating his own bespoke pieces, Ray loves the creative challenge of restoring a beautiful piece of antique furniture, whether recapturing its original feel or transforming it into something fresh and new.
Ray is currently completing City & Guilds Level 3 in Upholstery at
London Metropolitan University and has completed furnishing projects for clients including The Cantaloupe Group, Steve Seary Architects, Forster inc. and The Leonard Street Gallery.
To view his official website, please click here:
www.rayclarkeupholstery.com
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