ESTILA e m po w e ri n g t hrough style and colour
VOLUME 5/ ISSUE 26
THE DAYDREAMER ESTILA is a British lifestyle publication on a mission to inspire and empower through sophisticated style and colour. We believe that style is about who you are. It’s a way of living. Therefore, we focus on telling powerful stories of self-discovery, creativity and fulfilment. From interiors, art, fashion, shopping to beauty and travel you can get inspired by beautiful imagery, inspirational interviews and helpful advice from our expert editors and writers.
ŠCopyright 2017 ESTILA ESTILA magazine is created and published by Palantti Ltd. The entire content of this magazine is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The views expressed in this publication are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the publisher. Original work and photography is copyrighted by its owner. ISSN 2398-9041 Designed and printed in the United Kingdom.
editor’s note Welcome to the fifth print edition of ESTILA magazine. I'm always guided and inspired by unconventional creativity and design, which makes you stop and think. From the interviews with Abigail Ahern, Zoe Pocock from Muck N Brass to Maleka Dattu from Merumaya, you will learn how to find confidence and embrace who you are. All three women are great examples of celebrating authenticity and originality. My starting point for the DAYDREAMER volume was the stunning, specially designed, artwork on the front cover. Created by a London-based illustrator and collagist Onome Otite, it catches the mood of this edition very well. Movement, freedom and happiness. Inspired by these elements, we explore interiors designed by Stanza ID, whose signature style is about bridging practicality with effortless design, and we look into the modern and colourful home designed by a British interior design studio - Kia Designs. In fashion we find out who the Vetiver woman is and showcase emerging designers and brands that run meaningful businesses built upon sustainable approach to living. Our business mindset section focuses on finding your passion and how to keep your social media branding cohesive and strategic. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Karolina Barnes / editor-in-chief
EDITOR’S PICKS
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EDITORS Karolina Barnes Anouska Lancaster / noushkadesign.com Emilia Vespoli Flavia Young / luxe-layers.com Nicola McCullough / strawberryblondebeauty.com Ellen Stanton / paleblueplate.com
STYLISTS Louise Ives-Wilkinson / iwinteriors.co.uk Karolina Barnes
PROOF READER Claire Smith / eclairesva.com
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS Louise Ives-Wilkinson Karolina Barnes Chris White Anna Stathaki Nick Huggins Ellen Stanton
CONTACT estila.co / IG @estilamag For advertising and collaborations, please write to editor@estila.co Website: estila.co
COVER: by Onome Otite Page 40
content INTERIORS Case Study: Graphic Contrast
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Home Tour: Clean Lines 12 Five Minutes With: Abigail Ahern
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Business with Purpose: Jonathan Charles Furniture
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Design Brand: Muck N Brass - Chimiracles Do Happen
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Shopping: Boho Glam 34 Styling: Textural Healing 36 ART Cover story: Daydreamer - Interview with Onome Otite
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FASHION Business: Jewelled Buddha 48 Designer: Vetiver 56 Shopping: Bag Investment 62 Discovered: Emerging Designers 64 BEAUTY Fragrance and Emotion 68 Business: Interview with Maleka Dattu from Merumaya
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TRAVEL & FOOD Magical Scotland 76 Food Business: Interview with James Bhardwaj from Box'd Fresh
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BUSINESS MINDSET Snapshot of your life - Part 4. with Sarah Jones
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The Social Media Branding Strategy
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EDITOR’S BLACK BOOK 88
INTERIORS “Where practicality meets effortless design.”
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i n teriors ¡ c ase study
Graphic Contrast written by Laura Allnatt, styling by Keziah Powell, photography by Chris White
The places we live in can have a profound effect on our state of mind. With the right combination of vision and creative precision, those spaces can be transformed into whatever you want. Working with the right teams in creating such space that works for you and your individuality will give you a truly wonderful home you'll be happy to come back to after a hard day's work. This particular family home was designed by Stanza Interior Design, who specialises in delivering beautiful and effortless design combined with practical solutions. The concept for this home was to create a graphic contrast, using understated bold elements but retaining a light and spacious feel. The chosen materials played a vital role in achieving just that. The custom kitchen features polished concrete worktop and integrated down-draft extractor. The two-tone paint effect and the seamless Metropolis stone resin flooring create a sleek and contemporary finish.
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i n t e ri ors ¡ fiv e minutes with
Interview with Abigail Ahern words by Rachel Edmonds, photography provided by Abigail Ahern
Known for her dark inky hues and fabulous faux flowers Abigail Ahern is a master at pushing the boundaries of interior design. The high priestess of interiors encourages us to rip up the design rule book and embrace our own style. Abigail founded her business in 2003 and her London boutique is now regarded as one of the coolest places to shop by none other than Elle Decoration. Today, Abigail has amassed followers from all over the globe who love her eclectic interior accessories, faux plants (you really can’t tell the difference from the real thing), bestselling books and highly regarded blog (a great read for insider tips). 1.You have been asked this probably a thousand times before but how would you describe your style? In a nutshell, a bit of grit and a dollop of glamour. I’m obsessed with interiors and push the boundaries to totally reinvent spaces to inspire. Dark colours have transformed my home (and my life!) forever. They're cocooning, glamorous, flattering, masculine and edgy. Once you convert to the dark side, there's no going back. 2. Dark colours feature heavily in your signature style, has that always been the case? What first inspired you to use a darker palette? Dark colours are certainly my thing. However, moody hues were not always my first colours of choice. I was instantly hooked when I painted one of the walls in my office space, and I haven't looked back.
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i n t e ri ors · fiv e minutes with
“Once you convert to the dark side, there's no going back.”
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i nteriors ¡ business
Building A Business With Purpose interview by Karolina Barnes
On my recent visit to the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, I stumbled upon a hidden gem of the Kings Road, London. Among designer showrooms I came across the beautiful interiors of Jonathan Charles. British craftsman, Jonathan Sowter, founded Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture in 2004. Born in Yorkshire, his childhood was spent tinkering around with pieces of wood. After graduating from university where he qualified as a cabinet maker, he worked abroad for a renowned global furniture brand. Powered by a passion for antiques, art history and a desire to explore the traditions of marquetry, Jonathan decided to setup his own workshop where he made a small collection of handmade pieces. The designs were promptly shipped to the UK to be exhibited at a furniture fair by his mother. The labour-intensive items sold quickly, inspiring Jonathan to build the business to what it is today. What started as a small initiative then, with just six artisans, has grown to a powerhouse that employs over 2000 people.
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i nteriors · business
I talked to Yannick Aubinais, the showroom's manager, about the business and its mission. Tell us more about the showroom? The showroom stands as a melange of different cultures, periods and nostalgia, teaming with elegant items and inspiring pieces that won’t tire over time. Created to last and to be handed down through generations, Jonathan still makes furniture himself, because “making” is key to his design process. His hands-on approach has facilitated much of the brands’ boundary pushing in technique and manufacturing, all while reviving an ancient craft. Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture has since evolved to incorporate JC Modern and JC Edited, as well as a successful manufacturing arm for a significant number of luxury brands in the global designer furniture market. Jonathan’s initial vision to create future heritage products and reworks of timeless pieces remain rooted in the brands’ DNA. Seamlessly integrated into the large showroom is the designers corner that showcases under-the-radar artisans who produce radical and exciting work. For Jonathan, it is like giving back, providing other designers a platform where they can display their work.
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i nteriors · business
What else is different about Jonathan Charles as a brand? Here in the showroom we provide a very personal customer service. We want visitors to feel welcome and at ease. Understanding our clients in detail; their backgrounds, culture and project requirements, is something which is very important to us. Our vast experience, knowledge and high quality of our products is what makes us stand out. Jonathan describes himself as ‘detail obsessed’, and as part of that obsession, every element of the furniture design is made in-house. We make our own hardware in an in-house brass foundry, so that one-of-a-kind pulls, hinges, locks and even keys are specifically created along with the pieces. The making of each individual piece reflects Jonathan’s training as a cabinetmaker as well as homage to traditional manufacturing traditions that have been used throughout the centuries. Jonathan has pursued the magic of designing and making – of restoring and repairing – all his working life, embracing ancient techniques and making them relevant for today’s world. Our mission is to continue this concept while helping others on the way.
jonathancharlesfurniture.com
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IG @jonathancharlesfurnitureuk
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i n t eriors · design brand
Chimiracles do happen words and styling by Anouska Lancaster, photography by Nick Huggins
Zoe Pocock’s Muck n Brass has come a long way since a throwaway suggestion only a few years ago, “You should try upcycling, you’d be good at that”, sewed the seed which has grown from an experiment with a chest of drawers on the dining table, (an experiment which soon took over and outgrew her Bermondsey flat), to a small shop with a side-room for a workshop. One year on, this small shop has now been converted into a standalone showroom, servicing an additional purpose built studio in Honor Oak Park, South East London. As well as continuing to upcycle one-off pieces of furniture and accessories for the shop and online, Zoe has a huge demand for commissions for private clients, and now for interior designers and corporate clients; supplying offices and workspaces. Zoe is evangelical about upcycling and she becomes animated when she talks about it, “It’s not just the benefit to the environment and the quality of the finished piece, but the sense of achievement derived from taking a tired item and transforming it into something beautiful, personal and unique.” Zoe wants to spread the word and get everyone doing their own upcycling. To this end, she teaches regular workshops at her base in London, emphasising the importance of design in the process, as well as teaching the skills and techniques to achieve a great finish. Zoe’s master classes have been such a phenomenal success that she is taking her classes to the UK’s leading school of modern upholstery, ‘The Ministry of Upholstery’. Collaborating with the Ministry’s creative director, Anthony Devine, was a natural step for Zoe, and the creative duo have already planned two weekend courses in late November at the school in Manchester. As if this wasn’t enough, Zoe is excited to exclusively reveal to Estila that she is adding wallpaper and fabric to the brand’s portfolio.
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art · c ov er stor y
When did you realise you have a passion for art? Art and design has always been a subject I enjoyed throughout my education. I graduated from London College of Communication with a BA Hons Degree in Film and Video. This led to a career in art direction and interior styling; assisting on shoots across a variety of mediums including Stills, Editorial and Film; building reputable work relations with international design magazines such as Wallpaper* and World of Interiors. Working on a project for a client and preparing a moodboard, I experimented with textiles and mixed materials to create figurative artworks. I liked the process and so continued to dedicate more time learning new handcraft techniques. I had my first exhibition in 2015 at Service Point Print Studio in Covent Garden. After much interest from visitors in purchasing my artwork, I was encouraged to apply for The Prince’s Trust Business Enterprise Programme to learn about running a business and explore my options as a self-employed artist. As a young creative I have participated in 7 group shows and 2 solo shows in Europe and Canada; and have won several awards, including the 2016 – 2018 Cockpit Arts Creative Careers Awards and the Evening Standard ‘Progress 1000’ Mentorship Programme 2017. I was recently selected as a finalist at the Evening Standard’s Young Progress Awards 2017, which included pitching ideas to a Dragons’ Den-style panel and live audience of 500 people. The opportunity has helped to improve my confidence and presentation skills, and has encouraged me to participate in public speaking and lecturing programmes at the Arts Society. I have built my profile exhibiting and selling in specialised art and craft markets in the UK. I have also reached an international audience through the Hotel Bloom! Art Residency in Brussels and exhibiting at the ‘Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair’ in Toronto, Canada (images from which have been used as promotional material for the Ted Talks – TedxEuston Conference in London). How would you describe your style in life and your work? Inspired by world cultures, my style of work reflects textiles in relation to societies and customs; and to a further extent examines how costume is adopted and adapted by its Diaspora. The use of wax print (colourful cotton cloth - that is hot waxed and dyed) pays homage to my Nigerian ancestry; and designs inspired by the traditional West African textiles I have encountered. Each figure reflects the many characters of the styled West African woman!
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FASHION “A touch of wanderlust.”
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fashion · business
Jewelled Buddha interview with Harjit Sohotey-Khan by Karolina Barnes, photography by Cleveland Aaron, model Farida
What inspired you to come up with the idea of a brand that offers handcrafted luxury accessories?
It was sheer wanderlust! It all began a few years ago, when I left my corporate job and along with my husband, embarked on a yearlong adventure around Asia. I was tired of the monotony of work and I felt there just had to be more to life. One day I thought to myself - is this really what my life is going to be like until I retire! So I quit my job, took a huge leap of faith and several months later I found myself sat on a plane heading for Nepal! There’s a huge sense of freedom that comes with experiencing different places and people. It was both exhilarating and the joy I felt witnessing breathtaking landscapes and places was like no other. Over time, I felt liberated. I learned to love my backpack, which had everything I needed. It taught me a great lesson in appreciating my clothes and realising I didn’t need so much stuff in my life.
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This appreciation ran deeper as we came across artisans from all over Asia. From the foothills of the Himalayas, to the back streets of Lhasa, women handcrafted beautiful things using skills handed down through generations. I wanted to share this beauty with the world. For me, handmade textiles had always been a part of growing up and as an Indian; I guess it was normal to have a wardrobe bursting with beautifully crafted silk saris. So creating a business that combined my passion for global, handcrafted textiles, consciously created, seemed the right step to take. What is your mission with Jewelled Buddha? Ultimately my mission is to inspire women through our beautifully crafted collections and empower through our values of fair trade, ethical fashion. Our collections embody the cultures of faraway places, are made using age-old craft techniques and translate into timeless pieces that withstand fashion trends. Our accessories are unique and empower individuality. They tell a story of the journey of a product, where it came from, who made it and how. Each one has some unique characteristic about it. For example, our Kantha sari scarves all bear the embroidered name of the artisan who stitched it. It’s a way for them to say thank you as each purchase empowers artisans to earn a fair and sustainable income. It’s also a way for us to remember who made our scarf. Our accessories are made to last and reignite an appreciation and connection to artisans.
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I really feel that having this knowledge and connection is empowering. It makes us ask questions about why big retailers are profiting from those working in adequate working conditions in developing countries. It’s an uncomfortable subject - after all shopping is meant to be fun, right? But I do believe that if an item of clothing was made that contributed to the suffering of another human being, then we should at least empower ourselves with the knowledge of how, why and what we can do about it. Having a choice to buy clothing not manufactured in this way is important. How important is handmade and fair trade to your brand? They are both inherent to the identity of the brand. It’s what we do and what makes our products so special. There’s a joy to handmade products. They’re authentic, support local economies and keep global craft cultures alive. Even high-street brands have introduced some sort of “handmade” element to fashion in an attempt to offer customers something a bit more bespoke. But it’s done on a mass-produced scale, which lowers prices and negatively impacts workers. More than often it’s machine made. I think shopping for handmade is much more experiential. It’s the joy of finding something you love and hearing stories of its creation that makes it something to treasure. What’s more, the handcraft industry is one of the most sustainable and green economies.
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fashion · business
Fair trade is all part of this. We work only with innovative social businesses, which have a strong sense of integrity and transparency in their fair trade practices and environmental impact. It’s ensuring that those who create our products are empowered by a fair and sustainable income, safe working conditions and the opportunity to develop. With the majority of women working in the garment industry, fair trade not only supports them, but also has a positive effect on the health and education of children, families and communities. Travel inspired you to start Jewelled Buddha. How has running a business changed your life? Not having the routine of a nine-to-five job anymore, has allowed me the freedom to work flexibly and make my own decisions. It’s enabled me to create something that has my own personal stamp on it. I’ve met some amazing people on the journey – whether it’s the social enterprises I partner with, the artisans or those in my business community. There are women out there doing some amazing things and they’re just like you and me. I think the biggest change is my perspective and mindset. You need to be resilient when you run a business. It’s not easy and there are times when you question a lot of things. But it’s made me a stronger, more positive person and really pushed me to achieve things I never thought I would have. What are your tips for buying more consciously? There are so many social and environmental issues associated with fast fashion. The key is to figure out what’s important to you. We can’t solve all problems, so if it’s child labour or working conditions, research brands that help solve this problem and take it from there. I’d start with your own wardrobe. Take a look at what you wear the most and plan to buy an ethical alternative when the time comes for you to replace it. Choose quality over quantity and try to recycle as much as you can. Slow down on your purchases instead of heading out on a shopping trip each week and ask yourself do you really need, would it last and is it good quality. Knowing where to look is so important – the ethical community is constantly growing and there are some great ethical bloggers who highlight great brands. In fact it’s probably a good idea to have a go-to list of brands, so it’s always there when you need it. Building up a wardrobe of timeless, quality clothing is something to be treasured and will always outlive the whimsical trends of fast fashion.
jewelledbuddha.com
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IG @jewelledbuddha2015
fashi on ¡ emer ging designers
Ethically Purposeful
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fashi o n ¡ emer ging designers
Little treasures discovered words, styling and photography by Karolina Barnes
One of our missions is to go deep underground in order to search for the next lifestyle and fashion label that will be big in the future. If you are uninspired by the high street, or are looking for something unique and handmade with love and care, we have something here for you. Inspired by the colours of natural materials and pastels, I curated a small collection of wardrobe and lifestyle pieces, which not only are made with great imagination and creativity but also have amazing stories behind them.
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fashi on ¡ emer ging designers
Every picture tells a story....
THE JEWELLERY STORY The Tiana Jewel London is a London-based jewellery brand that embraces the powers of gemstones. The Amethyst quartz oversized earrings are not only a great statement accessory but also the stone is said to be helping to protect against negative energy. It is often used to beat addictions and to help to cure insomnia. The dazzling druzy coated rings are a beautiful stone that shimmers and shines. A druzy is made up of tiny crystals of minerals that form on the surface of a stone. Druzys promote positivity and remove the stresses and tensions of our mind, replacing them with serenity and calmness. Available at www.tianajewel.com
THE SHOE STORY The Kim Cork shoes are vegan trainers by Bourgeois Boheme, an independent London-based footwear brand, making state of the art luxury shoes completely free from animal-derived materials.
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fashi o n · emer ging designers
Kim is their first unisex style - a longed for vegan take on the classic Stan Smith sneakers with a sleek upper and luxurious finish for the smart athleisure look. With a recycled sole, organic cotton laces, cork upper and linings made from plant-based polymers, Kim marks the birth of a new conscious classic! This shoe is ethically produced in Portugal. Available at www.bboheme.com
THE BOWL STORY This stunning Handwoven Bowl makes a striking centrepiece and is also perfect as a fruit bowl, breadbasket or even for household knick knacks. The bowl is weaved from a local ndiorokh grass, in a village near Thiès in Senegal, intertwined with long strips of plastic. It has a wipe clean surface. Its unique handcrafted nature means that no two bowls are exactly the same. Available at www.artisanne.co.uk
THE SCARF STORY Created by Luna Amani who has been designing women’s accessories for more than 20 years. Inspired by her rich Persian heritage Luna has created a debut signature collection that reflects a childhood of memories in Iran and the 21st-century sensibilities of a designer committed to giving something back. The collection is about celebrating the freedom that comes from exploring your own creativity, the freedom of travel and the freedom, Luna believes, all women should experience as a right, not a luxury. Available at www.lunaamani.com
THE COSMETIC CASE STORY Crafted using 100% British wool, this Cosmetic Case from Hettie is ideal for keeping your cosmetics and other essentials together in one place. Whether you are on the go or at home, this case is not only the perfect size but also it's ethically made in the UK. Available at www.hettie.co.uk
THE CANDLE STORY The Autumn Kiss candle is lovingly made in Devon. Each of the candles have been named after unique “beach moments.” They are all hand poured, using natural soy wax. Designed to “take you there” every time they are lit. Available at www.decoralist.com
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BEAUTY “Our sense of smell is a gateway to the emotions.”
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be auty · business stor y
Fragrance & Emotion words by Karen Quinn, image by Wellness Stock Shop
You know that moment where you might be fighting your way through crowds, juggling your phone, bag and coffee, feeling a bit stressed out, and you catch a whiff of something, and you are INSTANTLY transported to another time and place so completely that it feels like you're actually there? For a moment, time stands still and you feel the change in temperature, the different quality of light, the emotions you felt. If there was a hug involved, you felt those arms around you, or maybe you felt your hand in someone else's hand... THAT is the power of fragrance and it happens because the olfactory bulb, where we process smell, is right at the centre of the Limbic region of the brain, where we store memories and process emotion. Our sense of smell is a gateway to the emotions and therefore fragrance is key to how we feel. I don't just design fragrances for how they smell, I involve myself with how that smell makes me, and others, FEEL. I did not come to perfumery via a straight line. I left school at 16 with only ‘O’ levels to my name and struggled with that feeling of not fulfilling my potential as I worked my way through a number of jobs from trainee hairdresser to secretary. I eventually secured a job as a legal secretary in a firm whose offices were right behind Selfridges. My mum thought it made me “uppity” but I loved the glamour of it all and, in classic Mills and Boon romance style, I met my husband there! After moving to a new city and having a career break to raise our children, I finally followed my childhood dream of becoming a nurse. Sadly, I found that my natural empathy made me too emotional to be “the rock” that patients and their family needed, and I had to acknowledge I was in the wrong job. However, my desire to help people get better remained so I researched complementary therapies. The first available class was an aromatherapy workshop and the first time I smelled my first drop of undiluted essential oil was like coming home for me. I was instantly, and thoroughly, hooked. I went on to study clinical aromatherapy at the professional level and have subsequently refined my knowledge over years of practice.
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THE EDITOR’S BLACK BOOK At ESTILA, we are passionate about highlighting small, independent British lifestyle, interiors and fashion brands, and useful contacts. I spend hours and hours visiting shows, pop-ups, boutiques, events, and scrolling through Instagram, to find inspiring and unique talent, creativity and innovation. BLACK BOOK is my personal go-to shopping resource when I need to find something I don't want anybody else to be seen wearing. No more "I've got that cushion or jumper, too!" Let's embrace our style!!
USE YOUR QR PHONE SCANNER & SCAN ME
See who is in our Black Book, scan the QR code with your QR App.
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We hope you have enjoyed reading our bookazine. ESTILA for us is a woman who is not afraid to take control of her life, and change the direction, if necessary, in order to fulfill her dreams and reach her potential. Life's experiences are about the journey, not the destination. Don't hesitate, never stagnate. When you feel down, read this:
I am original, I am unstoppable. I can do it!! I am so ESTILA. estila 89