CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Launch night at Bluebird; Westminster Jack’dN Brok’n sofa and vintage trunk collection; Founder & Creative Director, Tim Oulton
I fell in love with the classic British craftsmanship ethos that pervaded the late 19th and early-20th century, when things were built to last; built for Empire,’ says Oulton. ‘There was a golden age when British artisans had access to beautiful materials from all over the world and the stuff the British made had this sense of permanence and purpose. That’s what we try to embody in our own designs, creating them to last generations, not just a season.’ Yet Timothy Oulton blends a passion for timehonoured craftsmanship with a fearless quest for innovation, going by the mantra, ‘Be relevant or be dead’. In 2018 the brand launched its Noble Souls collection, a modular sofa range, and this year has been working on its latest Apollo space lounge, showcasing Apollo No. 5 at the Architectural Digest Design Show in Mumbai. The original Apollo is
displayed at the Bluebird Gallery and the brand is currently working on No. 6. ‘We’re also always looking to expand into new territories and to collaborate with like-minded brands, people who value authentic creativity and who are prepared to invest significant time and effort to create something special,’ says Oulton. Meanwhile, Timothy Oulton will continue to host regular events, from meditation evenings to live music and art exhibitions, at its Bluebird flagship. ‘I don’t know anywhere else in London where you can sit in a spaceship and drink champagne,’ says Oulton. ‘A lady came into the store recently and said she loves visiting us because it’s her “happy place”. Ultimately that’s what it’s all about – we want to inspire people.’
Timothy Oulton Bluebird 350 King’s Road London SW3 5UU +44 (0)20 3150 2024 timothyoulton.com timothyoulton
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