London


<p>Artist <a href="https://www.sewyoursoul.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooes9dxgiknYI20aU3TZHr4dZlj9-iETZw3YWrDgfP1XEXggqUL" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucy Sparrow&#8217;s</a> the talk of the town after opening <a href="https://lyndseyingram.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bourdon Street Chippy</a> this weekend at the Lyndsey Ingram Gallery, Mayfair. It might not sound like headline news, however this chip shop has a USP &#8211; it&#8217;s made entirely from felt. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0019_0444-1024x683.jpg" alt="Lucy Sparrow at Bourdon Street Chippy " class="wp-image-13115" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0019_0444-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0019_0444-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0019_0444-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0019_0444.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by Alun Callender </figcaption></figure>



<p>The artist, who went viral in 2021 when she launched a pharmacy of felt in the same venue, is back with a two-room exhibition that has to be seen to be believed. Everything (and we mean EVERYTHING) is made from the soft fabric, including battered fish, chips and peas, the counter, condiments, noticeboard, drinks dispenser and even the art on the walls. The more you linger, the more you see and it&#8217;s so enjoyable Muddy went back for a second serving to catch up with Lucy over a plate of fish and chips (felt, obvs) to find out more. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-your-inspiration-for-the-bourdon-street-chippy">What was your inspiration for The Bourdon Street Chippy?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0009_0262-1024x683.jpg" alt="Lucy Sparrow at Bourdon Street Chippy " class="wp-image-13113" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0009_0262-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0009_0262-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0009_0262-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0009_0262.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by Alun Callender </figcaption></figure>



<p>The British chippy is a national treasure! I wanted to celebrate that comforting, nostalgic space where everyone has memories &#8211; Friday nights with the family, seaside holiday and eating chips out of a cone. It’s familiar, joyful and absolutely perfect for a felt makeover. It’s about celebrating community, comfort food, and all the little details that make a place feel like a proper old school chippy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-long-did-it-take-to-create-from-concept-to-opening-and-how-many-pieces">How long did it take to create, from concept to opening (and how many pieces!)?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0037_0075-1024x683.jpg" alt="The Bourdon Street Chippy " class="wp-image-13114" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0037_0075-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0037_0075-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0037_0075-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/AlunCallenderPhoto_BourdonStChippy_0037_0075.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by Alun Callender</figcaption></figure>



<p>This one was a nice challenge. It took around eight months in&nbsp;total. There are over&nbsp;<strong>65,000 individual felt pieces</strong>, each handmade with tiny details.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wow-so-what-can-customers-expect">Wow! So what can &#8216;customers&#8217; expect?</h2>



<p>Expect to be completely immersed. You walk into a full-size, proper chippy, but every single thing is made of felt, from the fryer to the ketchup bottles. You can place an ‘order’, take in the felt portraits on the wall, and lose yourself in a world where comfort food meets contemporary art. It’s part theatre, part shop.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-re-intrigued-why-felt-nbsp">We&#8217;re intrigued, why felt?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Felt is soft, comforting and totally disarming. It takes the edge off everything, whether it’s a can of lager or a box of paracetamol. Plus, it’s such a joy to work with. There’s a reason I call it my fabric of choice.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="695" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-12.12.24-1024x695.png" alt="Lucy Sparrow " class="wp-image-13032" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-12.12.24-1024x695.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-12.12.24-300x204.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-12.12.24-768x521.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-12.12.24.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-have-you-always-been-a-textiles-artist-nbsp">Have you always been a textiles artist?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Yes &#8211; I started sewing when I was seven years old and I’ve always made things, always drawn, always stitched. But I only really found my voice when I started using felt as my main material. That was when things clicked, creatively and emotionally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-break-into-the-art-world-nbsp">How did you break into the art world?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The big turning point was&nbsp;<em>The Cornershop</em>&nbsp;in 2014, my first major solo project. I recreated an entire corner shop in East London using felt. It was only meant to last a few weeks, but it completely blew up online. From there, the invitations started rolling in, including projects in New York and LA. But it all started with stitching one tin of beans at a time!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-a-globally-recognised-artist-how-do-you-keep-your-feet-on-the-ground">You&#8217;re a globally recognised artist, how do you keep your feet on the ground?</h2>



<p>I’ve got a brilliant team, including four studio cats which count as part of that team. I think working with your hands every day keeps you humble. Plus that fact that I recognise it could all end tomorrow!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lucy-s-london">Lucy&#8217;s London&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="675" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.31.56-1024x675.png" alt="daisy Green London " class="wp-image-13116" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.31.56-1024x675.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.31.56-300x198.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.31.56-768x506.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.31.56.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Best restaurant:</strong> <a href="https://www.daisygreenfood.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daisy Green</a> &#8211; in particular Bondi Green in Paddington for the great all-day Australian brunch. </p>



<p><strong>Best bar:</strong> I don’t drink but enjoy a soft drink at the <a href="https://www.devonshiresoho.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devonshire Arms</a> off Piccadilly &#8211; its great for people watching.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Best gallery</strong>: <a href="https://lyndseyingram.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lyndsey Ingram Gallery</a> in Bourdon Street in Mayfair, OBVS.</p>



<p><strong>Best museum:</strong> <a href="https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/hayward-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hayward</a> on the Southbank never fails to impress.</p>



<p><strong>Best free experience:</strong> <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tate Britain</a>, it&#8217;s the best day out.</p>



<p><strong>Best view: </strong>Driving down the M11 when the London skyline comes into view</p>



<p><strong>Best café:</strong> <a href="https://epellicci.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">E Pellicci&#8217;s</a> in Bethnal is the best caf<strong>é</strong> in London in my opinion.</p>



<p><em><strong>You can check out <a href="https://lyndseyingram.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bourdon Street Chippy</a> at the Lyndsey Ingram Gallery until 14 September. </strong></em></p>


Material girl: Muddy meets artist Lucy Sparrow

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