Nicky Oliver

Professional Training, Career
Nicky has over 20 years’ experience working as a bookbinder and design binder. She completed studies in Art and Design which led her to studies at the London College of Printing in Bookbinding. She has worked at several trade binderies in London before freelancing and establishing Black Fox Bindery, London, in 2009. Nicky became a Fellow of the Designer Bookbinders, UK, in 2016 and regularly attends bookbinding-based workshops as she believes there is always something new to learn in this profession!

Current Position
Nicky is the owner and senior bookbinder at Black Fox Bindery in London. This is an independent bookbinding studio, where she undertakes commissions from case bindings and box making to gun cases and design bindings.  She exhibits her design bindings worldwide and has several in public and private collections. Black Fox Bindery is also a venue for a variety of bookbinding, art and craft workshops. Guest tutors are often invited to share their skills and knowledge with regular Black Fox attendees.

Area of Speciality
Nicky has worked extensively using decorative leather dyeing techniques on leather objects. This includes books, furniture and acrobat’s flying boots. She has lectured and demonstrated in the UK, Australia, Europe and the United States on topics in this area of specialized skills and knowledge. She loves passing on these techniques to her students.

Further Information
Nicky has won awards for her design bindings including the Silver Medal for the Designer Bookbinders' International Competition and the Silver Triple Designer Bookbinders' Annual Competition. More recently she co-authored with Karen Vidler a book titled Board Attachment, published by the Society in 2019. Nicky likes long walks along the beach, cocktails, fine wine and cheese.