Art & Design blog
Hand-made lingerie, by Miss Crofton
Artist / designer: Miss Crofton
Article author: Charlotte Bradford
Published: Thu, 3 Sep 2015
Photographer: Carly Scott. Model: Mathilde Warnier
Founded by Georgia Campbell, Miss Crofton is a London based underwear brand producing fresh & innovative lingerie. Each piece is hand made and either part of a limited run or a one off bespoke design. Earning a reputation among influential women & modern makers, the new collection is highly anticipated.
At what age did you start to take an interest in the field you work in?
I got my first bra when I was about 12 and I was completely in love with it. It had a small floral print and buttoned at the front with two poppy buttons. A couple of years later, while doing my GCSE art, I got completely obsessed with lace and nearly all my project involved lace some way or another. I believe I’ve always had a passion for fine fabrics.
Photographer: Carly Scott. Model: Mathilde Warnier
What are your top three favourite songs?
This totally depends on what mood I’m in. Today was a day for Into the Void by Black Sabbath but yesterday the right song for my mood was Horizon Variations by Max Richter. An all time favourite has to be Graceland by Paul Simon because it reminds me of being a kid.
What is your favourite London boutique and why?
Luna & Curious in Shoreditch. They have such a great selection of stylish goodies.
Name three creatives who have inspired you over the past 10 years?
I know it’s cheesy but my mother. She runs a company in Mallorca Spain, Gaia Natural, that makes natural skin care products. We talk almost every day on Skype and she gives me great business advice and has endless enthusiasm for everything.
I really admire the way London based designer Kate Sheridan runs her business. She has a real knack for it. I often look up to her for guidance.
I’m really inspired by the designer Simone Rocha at the moment. Her designs are so incredible and dreamy.
Photographer: Carly Scott. Model: Mathilde Warnier
Have you got any exciting commissions/events coming up in the near future?
I’m shooting in an exciting location with photographer Katie Silvester in the next two weeks. We met when she shot me for the Urban Outfitters blog and we wanted to work together straight away.
If you weren’t involved in the creative industry what other career path would you have chosen?
I’m always really envious of people who work outdoors so maybe a gardener or farmer.
Photographer: Duncan Thornley
Miss Crofton has a well established stall on Broadway Market, East London, every Saturday 9-5. For further information please visit their website misscrofton.com
XETH interviews Tempest Rose
Artist / designer: Tempest Rose
Article author: Charlotte Bradford
Published: Wed, 26 Aug 2015
Photographer: Zoe Hunn
Tempest Rose is an international award winning burlesque artist, singer and compere. She has been honoured to perform at some of Burlesque’s most celebrated events and is one of the few UK artists to be invited to perform for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas.
Tempest Rose is the director and producer of House of Burlesque Ltd – one of the UK”s biggest burlesque production companies with 4 highly successful runs at The London Wonderground. She also runs the House of Burlesque Academy and has taught over 3000 ladies to love themselves.
Other selected credits include three West End runs; appearances on Channel 4, BBC 3, ITV 2, The BBC Radio 2 Arts Show, MTV and London Fashion Week. She is a firm believer in burlesque’s ability to inspire, uplift, entertain and dazzle audiences worldwide and has been making a jaw-dropping career out of doing just that!
At what age did you start to take an interest in the field you work in?
I first got involved with Burlesque in 2007 when I auditioned for and joined The Kitten Club, but like most people who find burlesque, the roots of what drew me to the art form had been fascinations of mine since a young age. At the time I had already been a professional actress for 3 years and had started performing in theatre from a young age.
What are your top three favourite songs?
Argh, depends totally on my mood, time of day, weather etc! Three songs I’ve loved for many years are A Case of You by Joni Mitchell, Silent all These Years by Tori Amos and Stepping to the Bad Side from Dreamgirls, but ask me in an hour – who knows.
Photographer: Derek Bremner
What is your favourite London venue and why?
Each venue brings out a different skill and relationship with the audience so all are special and I’ve been very lucky to have worked on a longterm basis with a few, some of which have now closed sadly, who were pivotal in my own development and the history of burlesque within London – Madame Jojo’s and Volupte for example. As it’s summer I shall also mention London Wonderground which I adore, and we are in our 4th year of residency at.
Name three creatives who have inspired you over the past 10 years?
Gypsy Rose Lee – always, my favourite burlesque icon, Macklemore and Alexander McQueen.
Photographer: Terry Mendoza, Retro Photo Studio
Have you got any exciting events coming up in the near future?
We have just entered our weekly run at London Wondeground with House of Burlesque … Straight Up, a show that I have been working on since the beginning of the year, so that’s exciting. I’m also programming a new central London venue and working on our HOB Christmas revue.
If you weren’t involved in the creative industry what other career path would you have chosen?
I’m fascinated by the law, although really I probably just like watching the Good Wife and Law and Order. I think if you are a creative person you bring that element into whatever you do. It’s part of your very existence so I’m not sure choosing another career path is ever really an option.
Photographer: Derek Bremner
For further information about Tempest Rose and future performances from House of Burlesque, please visit their websites www.tempestrose.com and www.houseofburlesque.co.uk
XETH interviews Poppy Chancellor of Poppy’s Papercuts
Artist / designer: Poppy's Papercuts
Article author: Charlotte Bradford
Published: Thu, 20 Aug 2015
Copyright: Poppy Chancellor
London-based illustrator Poppy Chancellor creates bespoke paper-cuts for brands, events and individuals – all with her trademark wit and playful sexiness. In the few short years since graduating from Kingston University London, Chancellor has been commissioned to create elaborate paper-cut designs for brands including Hobbs, Nike, Adidas and Cath Kidston. She has also appeared on ‘Sunday Brunch’ and ‘Kirsty Allsopp’s Handmade Fair’ (both for Channel 4), and is regularly asked to speak at craft festivals all over the UK.
At what age did you start to take an interest in the field you work in?
I was a very creative and destructive child. I loved breaking things. Drawing was a great way to calm down. I’ve always drawn and my paper-cuts are a development of that. I see them as delicate 3D drawings.
What are your top three favourite songs?
For Karaoke: Craig David- Seven days
For dancing: Mary Jane Girls- All night Long
For relaxing: Marilyn Monroe- Lazy
What is your favourite London gallery/venue and why?
Luckily growing up in London means that I’ve always had access to iconic galleries. I love the national gallery. I spent a year drawing from the paintings there when I attended the Royal Drawing School. Also the V&A Museum is so beautiful. I love working in their library, it’s a total sanctuary.
Name three creatives who have inspired you over the past 10 years?
My Mum, actress Anna Chancellor, is my main inspiration. She is the one who encourages and challenges me about my work. She showed me all the things that became the pillars of my inspiration.
My Sister, fashion designer Tara Starlet, is a business guru. She is the perfect person to ask for advice or guidance. I’ve always looked up to her as the pinnacle of style and grace.
The W Project are a collective of females within the creative industries who aim to support each other. I have been working with them since their first exhibition 5 years ago. This network gave me the confidence to pursue a career in art.
Copyright: Poppy Chancellor
Have you got any exciting events/projects/commissions coming up in the near future?
I’m planning my next solo exhibition looking at the modern woman. I love having enough space to work on a large scale. It gives my work a more monumental aesthetic rather than something tiny and delicate.
If you weren’t involved in the creative industry what other career path would you have chosen?
Plus size model or rapper
Poppy is currently working on a new collection of work entitled ‘The Modern Venus’. For further information about the artist, please visit their website www.poppyspapercuts.com
XETH interviews Charlotte Keates
Artist / designer: Charlotte Keates
Article author: Charlotte Bradford
Published: Thu, 30 Jul 2015
Portrait of the artist
Charlotte Keates is a London based-artist who has exhibited throughout the UK. Graduating with a BA First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art from Falmouth University, Keates’ work is currently represented by The Porthminster St Ives , The Project Gallery Arundel & Arusha Gallery Edinburgh.
Born in 1990 in Somerset,Keates aims to create intriguing and surprisingly illusionary interiors inspired by 1960’s and 70’s classical architecture. The landscape and sea with swimming pools and birch trees consistently feature in her work.
At what age did you start to take an interest in the field you work in?
I’ve always loved to draw. From my primary school days I could always be found with a pad of paper and pencil wherever I was. I know that sounds like a cliche but it is completely true. Drawing has always been so important to my practise and I think it wasn’t until my foundation year at University that I really discovered painting. I had a fantastic tutor; Simon Averill, and with much encouragement I decided then that I wanted to be a painter
The Retreat, Charlotte Keates
What are your top three favourite songs?
A difficult question. I always have to have something on in the background whilst painting which means I’m happy listening to a wide variety of music. I’m really not overly fussy about music.
What is your favourite London gallery and why?
I think I’d opt for Tate Britain. If ever I’m in need of inspiration or motivation you’ll always find me there. Their permanent collection being the main reason. Having said that, I love the architecture at The Royal Academy and the feel of the space; architecture and interiors playing such a key role in my paintings.I’m always really interested in the relationship between gallery space and artwork. The Hayward Gallery also uses their space really well and shows some fantastic work.
Atelier, Charlotte Keates
Name three creatives who have inspired you over the past 10 years?
Dexter Dalwood, a painter whose collage-like paintings have fascinating concepts and conspiracy theories surrounding them. Mamma Andersson, a Swedish artist whose paintings are truly beautiful. I was lucky enough to attend her Private View at The Stephen Friedman Gallery in London a couple of years ago. And of course David Hockney; his early works, in particular the 60’s and 70’s.
Have you got any exciting commissions/exhibitions/projects happening or coming up?
Yes, lots and lots of exciting things over the next year!
Having just exhibited a collection of work at The Porthminster Gallery – St Ives, another selection of work at the Affordable Art Fair Hampstead with Arusha Gallery – Edinburgh, plus a big commission for a London-based Interior Designer. My painting life is very lively and somewhat challenging.
I also have works showing in both the Summer Shows at The Gatehouse Gallery – Guernsey, and The Project Gallery – Arundel. It’s so important for me to keep inspired and see new places, having just been to Cairo and Greece. I am very excited to see what I paint next. When painting after a short trip to Iceland earlier this year, I really started to notice certain elements finding their way into my work.
Plus, ahead of me too is the planning for exhibitions of my work at Arts Fairs in Manchester and Liverpool, along with the Affordable Art Fair Battersea in the Autumn.
If you weren’t involved in the creative industry what other career path might you have chosen?
I’m really not too sure. Everything that I think of seems to be creative in one way or another. My immediate thought tends to lean towards possibly Architecture or Interior Architecture.
Portrait of the artist
For further information about the artist, please visit their website www.charlottekeates.com
XETH interviews Miles Chinn of akkadenim
Artist / designer: AKKA Denim
Article author: Charlotte Bradford
Published: Fri, 24 Jul 2015
akkadenim is the world’s first brand created solely to support children’s charities. Miles Chinn, Chief Vision Officer & Founder, has worked in the manufacturing industry for the last twenty years and ‘seeks to integrate a sense of consciousness within the fashion industry by going against institutions perpetuating greed in society’*. akkadenim proudly partners with Sahasra Deepika in India and Dara Children’s Trust in Cambodia supporting disadvantaged children through education opportunities. XETH recently spoke with Mr Chinn to hear more about his ideas and inspiration behind the fashion label and what creative projects they are currently working on.
At what age did you start to take an interest in the field you work in?
From a young age of approx eight years old I began to notice how one’s appearance can dramatically change someone’s opinion of you indeed even change the direction of their intended conversation. I starting working in global fashion twenty years ago and was first to develope China’s fashion and retail industries in 1998 working with multiple global Plc corporations. It was at the same time I began to see how soulless multi-national corportions can be irrespective of their shiny inviting global marketing campaigns thus my interest in the need for change albeit philanthropy began to take hold and started changing my creative process namely akkadenim.
Copyright: akkadenim
Do you listen to music when working? If so, what?
Good question and yes even as I type. I suspect my work process regards music is back to front however as I don’t listen to music when I am designing or developing a new concept as there are several concepts always ready to go and queued up in my mind. I listen to music when I am piecing together a corporate business proposal say bringing together multiple companies across multiple countries. If I can’t see in my mind’s eye the navigational operational route map for all companies to partner together for the benefit of all involved then I will go for a walk sit somewhere alone within nature and listen to deep house 1994 – 1998 and then all is revealed within minutes.
Copyright: akkadenim
Name three creatives who have inspired you over the past 10 years?
My business partner of 17 years Hill Law CEO or as I call him The King Of Denim. I have witnessed Hill develope, sample and deliver an entire collection in 17 days whereas it would take a full team from a well known High St retailer six months. My role as Chief Vision Officer is complex and Hill allows me total creative freedom as my sounding board. I could say to Hill I want to create a website offering ultra-violet broccoli supporting space travel and he would no doubt say ” sure let’s do it however allow me to ensure it is profitable “.
Secondly a huge inspiration to me over the years is Hector Pottie the world’s number one typographist and graphic designer or as I call him Hector Hector Design Director HHDD. Hector’s work is a master class in minimalism yet laced with hidden cognitive messages. Hector created the akka icon, a classic example of his approach to simplicity yet the akka icon when viewed for the first time is instantly imprinted on one’s sub-conscious.
Finally, Ben Banks, CEO of oki-ni has always inspired me. It was Ben that gave me my first job in fashion twenty years ago as brand manager for Katherine Hamnett. I was a very troublesome employee as I hadn’t learnt how to process my relentless creative drive. I will always meet Ben when launching a new global concept such as I did with akkadenim launching exclusively on oki-ni.com. Ben posseses that most rare of talents being highly creative yet equally corporate representing the world’s best known designers.
Have you got any exciting projects coming up in the near future ?
Copyright: Marijke Timmers, Dara Children’s Trust founder
akkadenim proudly partners with Dara Children’s Trust in Cambodia with the truly inspirational founder Marijke Timmers addressing the much needed educational issues in Cambodia specifically Andong region to build new schools as from 2016. akkadenim is currently competing in the Denim World Championships with our world first record breaking 100 % hand woven interlaced 32 oz Tibetan selvage denim and I am equally honoured to be a judge for the Denim World Championships. We are also working hard on akkakoncept.com being the world’s first philanthropic m-tail and e-tail platform supporting our children’s charity partners.
Who would be your ideal client?
His Imperial Emperor of Japan Akihito as I have always been fascinated by the unparalleled stalwart culture of Japan. When akkadenim launched in 2014 we collaborated with legendary Denim Master Martin Ksohoh and Denim Grand Master Sakamoto being the world’s oldest denim family. Indeed, it was the first time since 1921 the Sakamoto family had permitted their family name associated to a denim product outside of Japan. To create a denim kimono supporting children’s charities for Emperor Akihito would be the ultimate honour.
If you weren’t working in this field what other career would you have chosen?
Not sure if it can be classified as a career more of a spiritual calling however over the years I have spent a lot of time in monasteries across Asia more often than not meditating and recharging thus hidden away deep in a jungle albeit an isolated temple. If I hadn’t chosen a career in global fashion as a Chief Vision Officer I would happily embrace my calling as a Buddist monk helping others during their time of need.
Copyright: akkadenim
For more details about the brand, please visit their twitter page https://twitter.com/akkadenim
*Author – Deap Khambay . Website – www.ethicalvalue.com
Older posts
More from the blog
XETH interviews artist Amy Moffat
Born in Lancaster, Amy Moffat is a London based artist who studied at Wimbledon College of Art. Since graduating in 2008, Moffat has exhibited across the UK in Berkshire, Liverpool, London and Oxford where she […]
Wildflowers and wetlands, at the Olympic Park
From 27 July 2013, exactly one year after the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the Olympic Park will begin to reopen as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – with twice as much open space as […]