FA Cup primed for Final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0VL5J33lPs

As the FA.com describes in its article:

'The FA Cup silversmith Thomas Lyte this week returned the famous trophy to The FA in preparation for Saturday’s Final.

After spending the last year with the current holders, Chelsea, The Cup was handed over to Thomas Lyte for some last-minute maintenance ahead of the Wembley showpiece.

Jim Rosenthal presented the official handover in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade and he was joined by former Manchester City midfielder Paul Lake and one-time Wigan defender Kevin Kilbane.

Also in attendance was Kevin Williams, Thomas Lyte’s master silversmith, and he explained a bit more about his involvement with The Cup.

He told FATV: “The FA, to their credit, let the [winning] club keep The Cup, so [it] gets a year of going round, being celebrated so it’s therefore going to get knocked and dropped and dented and it’s my job to take those out.'

To read the whole article visit: http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/News/2013/May/thomas-lyte-fa-cup-handover-kevin-williams-kevin-kilbane-paul-lake.aspx

Last night we hosted our annual FA Cup Event in our Burlington Arcade store.

On its last appearance before the big match on Sunday, the Cup was on display to the great and the good of the sport world.

Our Master Craftsman Kevin Williams added the final touches to the repair of the Cup and Jim Rosenthal hosted a Q&A with Football legends Kevin Kilbane and Paul Lake.

Kevin Baker CEO talks to BBC's Simon Jack on the Today Program, BBC Radio 4

Friday Boss: Kevin Baker of Silversmith's Thomas Lyte talks candidly of preserving and growing British Silver Craft.

'There were once thousands of silversmiths in Britain- now there are just hundred. Kevin is trying to reboot an industry in which Britain excels- but appears to be neglecting' says Simon Jack.

Kevin Baker explains: 'We restore famous pieces of silver globally, we work for palaces, military regiments, and restore the FA Cup and the Ryder Cup.'

'There were once thousands of silversmiths in Britain, now there are around 100.

Kevin Baker is trying to reboot an industry in which Britain excels - but appears to be neglecting.'

To listen to the whole podcast visit the BBC website at:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22213850

The 18th National Television Awards were held last night at London's O2 Arena.

Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the awards show recognises the best of UK television and its stars.

Actors and presenters from the most talked-about TV shows in the country, including Strictly, TOWIE and The X Factor, and other famous faces from the nation's favourite soaps were among the talent who waltzed down the red carpet and braved the freezing temperatures.

The X Factor is nominated for best talent show so judge Tulisa obviously wanted to look her best, wearing the Thomas Lyte Caro Clutch in gold.

TV presenter Melanie Sykes arrived for the awards walking down the Red Carpet accessorising with the stunning Caro Clutch in sea green.

The team at Thomas Lyte were absolutely thrilled when top UK stylist Thea Lewis asked if she could include three of our iconic ‘Eliza’ handbags in the Redken & L’Oreal show this month. Hosted by London’s latest hotspot, the Brixton Academy, the event was a huge success with a top fashionista guest list to match. The show was a glorious spectacular; kudos goes out to the fantastic casting, set and production design as well as the brilliantly organized choreography. Everyone was thoroughly entertained by the extravagant circus-themed event with its musical performances involving a saxophonist swinging from the roof.

Our ‘Eliza’ handbags in grained leather looked stunning and felt right at home on the catwalk; their mustard, cognac and petrol shades contrasting beautifully with the catwalk’s designers styles; Issa, Alberta Ferretti, Inbar Spector and Gina – brilliantly combining  traditional English craftsmanship with fashion’s contemporary styles and colours.  Because they are worth it….!