ESTILA VOLUME 9 PROGRESSION

FEATURED STORIES: MARIA RIVANS | SMARTSTYLE INTERIORS | AVALANA DESIGN | PAPERSMITHS | GONE ROGUE | PIXI BEAUTY | THE HOUR | LUNA AMANI

ESTILA inspiring stories for creatives in business VOLUME 9/ ISSUE 38

EDITORS Karolina Barnes Emilia Vespoli Flavia Young / luxe-layers.com Nicola McCullough / strawberryblondebeauty.com GUEST CONTRIBUTOR Suzanne Selvester

STYLISTS Karolina Barnes

PROOF READER Claire Smith / eclairesva.com

COVER IMAGE

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS

Maria Rivans, the story on p. 44

Karolina Barnes

A big thank you to all our editors, contributors and

Nicola McCullough Mark Ashbee Max McClure

everyone who continues to support ESTILA. ESTILA bookazine is created and published by Palantti Ltd. The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher.

CONTACT estila.co / IG @estilamag

The views expressed in this publication are those

Tell us your story: editor@estila.co

of the respective contributors and are not necessarily

Website: estila.co

shared by the publisher. Original work and photography are copyrighted by its owner.

ISSN 2398-9041 Designed and printed in the United Kingdom.

3 MIN

ŠCopyright 2019 ESTILA

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ESTILA

“

Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.

�

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads or been stuck in a rut?

We have. All of the powerful stories we write about in ESTILA have one thing in common - they are told by amazingly talented creatives who have gone through tipping points, frustrations and aha-moments that have led them onto a new journey into entrepreneurship.

Our mission is to inspire you to do the same. We believe that life is a journey about finding who you are and what your calling is. It's about challenging yourself, and the status quo. Only then you can realise your true potential. We hope that the following pages will trigger a spark or an idea for you to take action and just go for it!

BY CREATIVES FOR CREATIVES ESTILA bookazine goes beyond the content. With each issue, we are growing a community of cheerleaders, supporters, collaborators and ambassadors, connecting designers, brands, artists and creatives to each other. We are here to help you grow. Can spot an opportunity for a collaboration on the following pages?

editor’s note Welcome to the ninth print edition of ESTILA bookazine. Recently I have been reminded of the following quote: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." And so the following pages focus on the journey and its progression. Everyone has to start somewhere and what drives one forward is a passion for what they do best without taking no for an answer. The stories of Phoebe Oldrey from Smartstyle Interiors, Maria Rivans (our cover), Sidonie Warren from Papersmiths, Nana Rasoeva from The Hour and Petra Strand from Pixi Beauty are great examples of such progressive journeys.

Thank you for reading and your continuous support.

Karolina Barnes / editor-in-chief

MUST - READ STORIES

MuralsWallpaper p14

Maria Rivans p44

Avalana Design p26

Luna Amani p68

Pixi Beauty p76

The Hour p58

ALSO YOU CAN READ ABOUT Smartstyle Interiors p5 | Concept North p20 | Papersmiths p 34 | Topology Interiors p40 Gone Rogue p50 | Maya Selway estilap54 | The Artist Residence p84 4

INTERIORS “An interior space is supposed to support our wellbeing.”

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i n t e riors · designer stor y

From acting to designing words by Phoebe Oldrey and photography by Karolina Barnes

With her background in acting and marketing, Phoebe Oldrey, the founder and interior designer of Smartstyle Interiors, always knew she wanted to create. Her journey took her on a path of creating homes that are not only beautiful but also ones that make sense. I visited Phoebe in her home to tell me more about her story.

What has been your journey so far - why and how did you start Smartstyle Interiors?

I started my career as an actress with big dreams of movies and theatre. However, once it stopped being fun, I started looking for something else to do with my life. I wanted to stay in a creative field, it’s where my heart lay, but I had also learnt a lot of skills working my way up in marketing which is what I was doing whilst “resting” between acting jobs.

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5 MIN

i n t e riors ¡ designer stor y

It was at this point I found a scrapbook I had started when I first moved out of home. It was full of clippings from interiors magazines and sketches. I knew then that interiors were what I wanted to do. It fulfilled both my creative side and my organised side, when it came to running a project. I applied to KLC School of Design and took the full-time Interior Design course there. That was 16 years ago and I never looked back. After graduating, I went to do an internship with Mark Humphries and then worked for about 3 years for a lovely company called Sue Symons Interiors. They really mentored me and I learnt so much. The last project I worked on there was a ÂŁ6 million new build which we kitted out from top to bottom. It took two years.

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I always wanted to go out on my own and I took the leap to set up Smartstyle Interiors when my elder son was born in 2005. I’ve built up the business and though it can be scary knowing the buck stops with me, I am so proud of the journey I’ve been on to get to where I am today. It is such an honour when people love what I’ve designed. They entrust me with designing their home for them and that’s quite humbling.

What is different about your business? How are you solving your client’s problems?

A couple of years ago I started to wrestle a little with the concept that interior design can be perceived as quite a shallow thing. No one really wants to think that their legacy is only about cushions. I became obsessed with how the spaces we are in can really affect how we live and feel. Between homes, work and going into shops and restaurants, people now spend 90% of their time inside. How we design spaces can affect how we sleep, our productivity at work and even how much we purchase. There’s a lot of science behind these things and it’s fascinating. I’m such a nerd, it’s untrue! I was lucky enough to give a TEDx talk about the deeper side of interiors last summer. Following that, Smartstyle Interiors is now branded a Holistic Interior Design Practice. We believe everything is connected so are looking at designing spaces that function really well, support us emotionally and physically and also look amazing. How we decorate has to tell our personal story. After all, our homes are our sanctuaries, not just a 5 second Instagram shot!

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How do you think interiors impact our wellbeing?

Gosh, where do I begin? There are lots of different aspects of how you can design a space to improve wellbeing both physically and mentally. Acoustics, warmth and light are huge factors in how a home can affect our health. If we feel uncomfortable, our bodies are telling us that our surroundings are harming us. Some of it is in the materials you use so you aren’t creating harmful VOC toxins in the environment which can be released from paints, cleaning products and furniture. You can even look at how you design to encourage activity. Lots of big firms are designing office buildings with massive inviting staircases in the entrance and the lifts hidden away at the back to encourage their staff to take the stairs and keep moving. After all, they say that a sedentary lifestyle is the new smoking.

The main thing I like to concentrate on is creating spaces that are happy places to be in. People’s mental wellbeing is the key to their quality of life in every aspect. Biophilic design is all about people’s mood being lifted by having contact with nature; if we don’t have the opportunity to capitalise on a beautiful view, then I look to use natural materials and plants. Creating spaces that have an easy flow to them and the colours that we use affect how we feel. You want spaces to bring people together, not be hard to function in.

What can we do to improve our interiors especially for anyone working from home?

Taking the time to plan ahead is the key to a truly successful interior. Really think through how you want your spaces to support your life, write it all down and work out your layout to meet those needs.

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“When trends

become popular it's time to move on.

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i n t e riors · designer stor y

Collect images of what you love; Pinterest is a huge help for this. Take the time to enjoy the process and the end results will be amazing. Have the confidence to really express yourself and take a risk with your décor. Too much compromise can make a space bland and uninviting. I watch lots of people create spaces that are meant to please parents, neighbours and possibly the next purchaser and compromise on the stuff the home owner really loves. That just doesn’t make sense to me. It’s your home, tell your story!

I work from home, so I also need a home that is easy to look after. Too much kids’ clutter over the hallway during the week doesn’t get the creative juices flowing and it can create stress. I find a calmer space helps me concentrate. Currently, my whole office is covered in butterfly wallpaper which I now think is quite busy so I’m hoping to redesign the space later this year with calm blues and woods. The downside to having your office at home is how to find a way to create a break between your working life and your home life. Like everyone else, I want to leave the office at the end of the day and go home. Balance is the key to sanity for me!!!

What advice would you give to other designers starting their own studio?

There’s a lot of noise out there about what is going to make your business succeed in this competitive industry but it really all boils down to two things - relationships and the work.

The quality and kindness of the people I choose to work with make a huge difference to me.

There is something very exciting about talented people, from the craftspeople who make my designs a reality to my assistant who keeps me on track. Surrounding myself with good people takes the weight off my shoulders, no man is an island. Also taking time to build relationships with my clients. A friend once gave me a great tip to always “Upscale” how you contact people you’re working with. If they think – “I’ll email” they upgrade that to a phone call, if thinking of calling they upgrade that to a meeting. It builds stronger communication and relationships.

Finally, it has to be about the calibre of work you are producing. I work hard to bring my A game to every design I do, I am hired because people like what I do, not because of the number of likes I get on Facebook. Designing is what fuels my passion every day, if that isn’t how you feel, then this might not be the gig for you.

For more information or enquiries, please call 01892 524 036 or email to info@smartstyleinteriors.com

smartstyleinteriors.com

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IG @phoebeoldrey

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PROWL OFF-WHITE

i n t e riors ¡ supplier stor y 3 MIN

Challenging the boundaries of wallpaper words by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by MuralsWallpaper

When an eye-catching press release from MuralsWallpaper landed in my inbox, I just had to click through to find out more. Innovation, imagination and creativity are best to describe what MuralsWallpaper is about. Taking on the challenge of making animal print wallpaper look chic, I present to you their new wild wall mural collection, while sharing their brand story.

WHAT WE STAND FOR AND OUR MISSION We believe that every wall, regardless of scale, is a blank canvas full of design opportunity.

Our mission is to take a fresh approach to wallpaper and design, helping our customers to create a space that is unique and personal to them. We are proud to source in an ethical manner while ensuring that only the highest quality papers are sourced, which in turn gives us a vivid print with great definition. All of our murals are designed and created in-house using British paper sourced from FSC regulated forests and our inks are waterbased, hence environmentally friendly. We pride ourselves on the ability to interpret current trends, patterns and textures and share these designs before anyone else.

SAVANNA PINK

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UNTAMED GREY

SAVANNA PINK

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UNTAMED PINK

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i n t e riors ¡ supplier stor y

THE FLEXIBILITY We are passionate about modern interior design and our ambition is to challenge the boundaries of what wallpaper can do by offering pioneering designs. Digital print means that anything is possible and we can push the boundaries of wallpaper design. This gives us great flexibility and opportunity to explore creativity beyond the standard product offerings on the market.

THE ANIMAL PRINT Animal print is a classic look which can be seen prowling the runways and creeping into interiors. But we wanted to take on this look and create something for design lovers who feel too timid to try the print in their home. So we painted them as minimalist shapes with maximalist sizes. The subtle neutral colour palette features zebra, leopard, tiger and giraffe-inspired designs, giving our customers the opportunity to bring these iconic prints to walls with a fashionably conceptual approach.

To see MuralsWallpaper other collections and what else is possible designwise, please visit muralswallpaper.com.

Room imagery for this collection is in collaboration with Rose & Grey. Key furniture pieces available at www.roseandgrey.co.uk

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i n t e ri o rs · ne w business 3 MIN

The Story of CONCEPT NORTH interview by Karolina Barnes, image provided by Melinda Kiss

One of the most powerful and commonly underestimated marketing tools is networking.

But getting out there seems to some easily said than done. Networking opportunities are everywhere but there are still pockets of the country where lack of interior industry meetups are is quite rare. This is what Melinda Kiss and Natalie Holden found in the North of England. After meeting on social media, they quickly realised that others might be interested in meeting in flesh, rather than just sticking to socialising online. They came up with Concept North which they launched last year. With several events behind them, here they share their story.

THE IDEA It all happened rather quickly and unexpectedly. We met on Instagram and decided to meet up for a coffee; it was during our first ever meeting that we started chatting about how sometimes it can feel lonely working alone, and how we wished there would be a stronger design community in the North of the UK. It was a sense of belonging and being able to get support from other industry professionals that we were missing and speaking to others we soon realised that we weren’t the only ones who felt like this. Concept North was born out of a love for the design industry and the people who work in it – it is a place where we can get together, learn from each other and collaborate. We strongly believe that amazing things can happen if we work together as opposed to compete with each other, and our events are the perfect backdrop to achieve this.

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OUR MISSION Our mission for Concept North is to be the catalyst for where ideas begin. We want to create a community where everyone in the industry can be inspired, feel motivated and learn something new to help them both personally and professionally. A lot of magic can happen when you meet other like-minded people, so we wanted to provide opportunities for ideas to spark, just like when we first met! It was also important for us to create inclusive events for all ages, genders and businesses both new and established to take part in because many property events that already take place in our industry end up very male dominated.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The events are open to anyone who is part of the interior design and property industry.

We welcome designers, architects, developers, independent makers and artists, suppliers, brands and bloggers. At the moment our events take place bimonthly and we try our best to move them into different locations. We want to reach as many people as possible and give them an evening they can enjoy in a relaxing environment. We are also working on some larger exciting events and we have so many plans for this year, but we can’t reveal anything just yet!

THE POWER OF NETWORKING We always introduce people to each other because quite often many people come alone and we know how hard it can be to put yourself out there in a room full of strangers. Our ethos is about creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where people feel at ease. We always encourage everyone to connect with each other on social media and to keep in touch afterwards.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Our community is open to anyone working in the sector. The events are ticketed and we like to keep them intimate so spaces are always limited. We also have a strong social media community (especially on Instagram: @concept_north) where we all support each other so we welcome anyone to join the conversations.

For latest updates about next events, please follow Concept North on Instagram: @concept_north.

conceptnorth.co.uk

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INSPIRED BY ART DECO estila 22

i n t e ri o rs ¡ inde pendent brands 3 MIN

From our community with Trish Coggans words and photography by Karolina Barnes

As ESTILA is all about community, we're introducing this new column, featuring stories from our members, followers and readers. Last year Trish Coggans from Outshine Interiors was selected to design the "downstairs loo" at Grand Designs Live Show in London.

To say it was a big deal for her is an understatement. Excited to be as one of the show's designers, Trish took on the challenge with her sleeves rolled up and came up with the concept of "Glam Lav".

Inspired by Hollywood Glamour, 1920's and Art Deco, Trish delivered a design scheme which was talked about long after the show finished. Dark yet full of personality, the Glam Lav scheme shows that even the smallest spaces in the house can be expressive and full of wonderful objects. As a supporter of great design, craftsmanship and small business, Trish included a few independent brands, designers, artists and creatives to give her loo a special meaning.

WALLPAPER STORY Created by Anna Hayman Designs, this Pearl Wallpaper is named after her style crush Pearl Lowe. The design is an adapted and elongated scallop pattern, derived from an original lino print by Anna Hayman. The print repeat is 29cm high and the paper could not be easier to hang being that glorious invention 'paste the wall'. 10m roll - 52cm wide.

Inspired by 1920's design, this has a texturised background to add vintage appeal.

Available at annahaymandesigns.com

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i n t e ri o rs · inde pendent brands

ABOVE: Mannequin Head by Muck N Brass BELOW: Art by Amy Beager | David Evans

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i n t e ri o rs ¡ inde pendent brands

TASSEL LIGHT STORY Designed and hand-blown in the UK, this Curiousa Tassel Light creates a dramatic, decadent centrepiece. Taking inspiration from the glamour and glitz of the 1920s, each light features a hand-woven and dip-dyed tassel influenced by the flapper dresses of the period.

These light pieces use the Teardrop glass shade with a dip dyed, handmade tassel by Jessica Light. There are two tassel colours available: Gold and Grey in either 300mm or 1000mm.

Available at curiousa.co.uk MANNEQUIN HEAD Luxecycled mannequin head by Muck N Brass in gold finish. Muck N Brass is the ultimate luxecycling go-to supplier who cares about unwanted quality furniture and accessory pieces which are given a new lease of life sympathetically, uncommonly and with passion.

Available at mucknbrass.com ART STORY Lace and Givenchy prints - Stunning ink illustrations from Amy Beager. Amy is a freelance illustrator specialising in fashion, beauty and lifestyle / travel genres. Her illustrations are expressive and graphic with a dark edge, creating a strong contrast. Amy's originals and art prints are: Available at amybeager.com Artwork by David Evans - Based in Shearwood Forest, artist and illustrator David Evans draws inspiration from the forest, specifically the ancient oaks, and classic design. His style includes figure work and portraiture, developing techniques such as blending with a sanguine pencil or lyrical flowing brush strokes with indigo ink.

Available at forestedge.me For more information about Trish's design work and latest updates, please follow her IG account @outshine_interiors.

outshineinteriors.co.uk

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i n t e ri ors · brand stor y

SUNSET JAGUAR MURAL

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i n t eriors ¡ brand stor y 4 MIN

Avalana Design interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Hazel Carruthers

Launched only last year, Avalana Design is making a bold statement in the design world for sure. Founded by Hazel Carruthers, the mission is to create prints and patterns for customers who embrace colour and appreciate great design. Hazel approches her design work from a storytelling point of view, drawing inspiration from travels, folklore and nature.

Each collection starts life as a sketch or painting, that is carefully curated using digital methods, which is then translated onto luxury velvet cushions, lampshades, silk scarves, beautiful gift items and bespoke art prints; all made in the UK.

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i n t e ri ors ¡ brand stor y

INKY LEOPARD WALLPAPER

What has been your journey so far? How did you get to starting Avalana Design?

I always had a vision in the back of my mind, since graduating from University, to create something unique, and that allowed me to have complete creative freedom. Last year I reached a point in my career where the time just felt right to start this new venture. My aim is to create prints and patterns that truly capture the essence of the things that have made me feel in awe or wonder about them. Avalana was launched last Summer 2018, and since the beginning, despite all the challenges of starting a new business and design brand, it has been such a creatively freeing experience, and that for me makes it all worth it. To design for my true creative passions is a dream come true.

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i n t eriors ¡ brand stor y

Launching a new business is very challenging. How did you go about it, from the initial idea to launch?

The experience I gained from working across a variety of creative industries, from greetings cards and stationery, wall art and wallpaper to fashion and home textiles, gave me such a strong foundation from which to build upon. My knowledge across the different products and the network of contacts I had built up over the years also gave me a great starting point. My current and debut collection is inspired by a trip to Costa Rica that I took a couple of years ago. I really felt a connection there, and the landscapes and rainforests blew me away. I finally had the chance to work to my own ideas, and create the designs through my direction, so it was a no-brainer for me to draw the majority of inspiration from this trip. The journey to getting them to product and eventually launch on the website was a massive learning experience for me. But to see my final selection of products come together was such a momentous achievement in itself.

Can you take us through the design process and the storytelling of each collection?

Each of my prints starts its life as a rough sketch at my painting table. I am mad for moodboards as well and I am constantly pinning images, screen-shooting from Instagram and scouring the Vogue articles of the latest runway shows. My go-to mediums are watercolour and ink, and all of my current collection is made using my hand painted and illustrated artwork. My Costa Rica Collection aims to evoke the feeling of wonderment I felt when I toured the country there. The amazing natural beauty and the wildfire were something I had never seen with my own eyes before, and I found it truly inspiring. I thought how wonderful to be able to share this experience through my design work.

When people look at my work, I want them to be drawn into it and almost be able to feel the awe I felt when I was there. I have always been one for storytelling and folklore and I like to think there is always a subtle nod to this in my work. There is always more to see, if you look long enough.

You manufacture your products in the UK. Why is it important for your brand to keep production in the UK? What are the biggest obstacles, if any?

One of my main obstacles was finding UK based suppliers for each product category that I offer.

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CLOUD FOREST MURAL

i n t e ri ors · brand stor y

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BLUSH TROPICS WALLPAPER

i n t eriors · brand stor y

I come from a design background, so when I started the business, suddenly I became everyone, being responsible for everything; product & sourcing, PA, secretary, accountant and everything else in between, as well as doing the artwork and design. Looking back, I seem to have accomplished quite a lot since beginning this venture last July. It wasn’t easy, but I have honestly loved learning every new skill along the way. I have always been hungry to push myself in every aspect of my life and career, so taking this on fits me perfectly.

Where do you see your brand in five years time?

I would love to see it in some high-end boutique stores, and on the front cover of some beautiful glossy magazines, but I know how hard it is to get there. At the moment I am just taking things one step at a time. I hope to do some great collaborations and partnerships with other creatives in the industry, too. Sharing ideas and combining projects has always been exciting to me, it’s another chance to learn and see your designs and products in a new light. If I can achieve any of those in the next few years, I will be over the moon!

Yukata Blosson Gold Lampshade, £210

Dark Tropics Velvet Cushion, £105

Zebra Magic Velvet Cushion, £105

avalanadesign.co.uk

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IG @avalanadesign

spec ial feature

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spec ial feature 4 MIN

For the love of creation with Papersmiths

interview by Karolina Barnes, photography by Mark Ashbee, Max McClure and provided by Sidonie Warren

In 2011 Sidonie Warren and Kyle Clarke founded design studio B, specialising in branding and commercial interior design. Two years later they opened the first Papersmiths store in Bristol with only £500 capital. Five years on and adding 23 employees to their team, the brand has grown its presence in Brighton and recently London Shoreditch and Chelsea. A year of expansion marks also their current partnership with Wolf & Badger in Kings Cross, bringing paper happiness to the cool crowd of Central St Martins students and creative minds of nearby tech giants such as Facebook and Google. Here we spoke to Sidonie about Papersmiths' early days, journey and mission.

How did you get to where you are now?

It was through a series of happy accidents, stepping stones that I never dreamt would lead to this. About three years into running the business I learnt about the effectiveness of goal setting and visualisation. But in the beginning, I didn’t have an end goal.

What did you find most challenging in the early days? What lessons did you learn?

Creating and working in teams has been challenging and wonderful. It’s lead to bursts of happiness and love as well as tears of complete and utter frustration! My communication skills have improved but I’m still working on them.

What is the mission with Papersmiths? Why do you exist?

Our reason for existence is creation. Kyle and I were 23 when we started. We were running our own design studio, creating for other businesses, but we didn’t have enough work to pay our bills. We opened our shop because we desperately needed extra income.

We have grown as a business and as individuals. I turned 30 last year and I feel like the past 12 months have been a whirlwind of change. I’ve found more meaning and purpose in my life, and I’m applying that to Papersmiths and finding there’s so much potential in the business to have a positive social impact.

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spec ial feature

Papersmiths x Wolf & Badger at Kings Cross, London

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spec ial feature

We place a huge emphasis on creation. Books that help us to evolve as individuals, tools and instruments to create with, items that help us to find meaning and encourage diversity. We want to create fun spaces and products that bring a smile to people’s faces when they’re writing down their big ideas or their shopping list. I believe there’s no reason why anything should be ugly or impractical. Function and beauty all round, please!

We’re not in this to grow a chain of retail shops. Don’t get me wrong, we want to make a good living and we have targets to meet and bills to pay, but at the same time, we can be true to ourselves and our values. We’re in this to enjoy life and if we can make the lives of others more fun too when they come into the stores, and support their creative process in some way, then that’s just brilliant.

In the digital world we live in, why do you think customers still crave a physical paper product?

I believe we crave the physical paper product precisely because it’s physical. It’s real and you can touch it. We have non-physical parts to our make-up as human beings, like our consciousness, but we’re very much physical too and we gain pleasure from experiencing our world through our senses. Whether that’s tasting delicious food, smelling the aroma of fresh herbs or, in my world, feeling the flow of an ink-pen on a beautiful paper stock it’s magical. We’d be starved of stimulation is everything was digital.

What’s your favourite product that Papersmiths currently stocks?

The converter for our fountain pens. It’s a refillable ink cartridge which you refill from a glass bottle of ink – so no single-use plastic! We’re trying to reduce single-use plastic at the moment.

papersmiths.co.uk

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IG @papersmiths

i n t e ri o rs · business stor y

Breaking into the industry interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Athina Bluff

There is no denying in the fact that the interior design industry is very hard to break into. I met Athina Bluff, co-founder of Topology Interiors, three years ago when she was still working in her full-time job while setting up her business with her business partner and friend Amy Brandhorst. Athina just launched Topology website and helped ESTILA with content, interviewing creative founders in London and styling and shooting homeware products for us. Since those early days, Topology has grown into a more established brand in the market, winning Small Business Sunday Award in 2017 and Best Interior Designer Blog 2017.

Can you tell us more about Topology Interiors? How and when did you get the idea for it?

I was working in the luxury furniture industry and got to chatting to all sorts of different people decorating their homes who were potential customers. They would often get their phones out and show me pictures of their spaces and I’d recommend them products to buy. Many liked the ideas I suggested so much that I started email exchange with them, offering them further design advice and furniture to buy. It was then when I was sending URL links to people that I thought ‘hey I can make this into something’. A few years later and we now create online interior design packages for clients, providing things like mood boards, designer support, shopping lists of items, access to trade discounts, 3D renders and more. It’s a great service for those who can’t afford the traditional method of an interior designer (as our packages start at just £125 per room) and want something a little less intrusive. We also keep our website up to date with an award winning interiors blog - in 2017 we won ‘Best Interior Designer Blog’ and recently went on to judge the awards at the end of last year.

How has your business changed since the early days, while creating content for ESTILA? We’re much more experienced and established now. For example, our quality of work has greatly increased as we’re much more proficient on our architectural software and are really knowledgeable on what products are on the market and what trends are around.

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2 MIN

i n t e riors · business stor y

We’ve also gained a lot of credibility in terms of our reputation. We’ve collaborated with brands like Habitat, IKEA and MADE.COM so have been making great progression within the industry.

What has been your biggest achievement / proud moment for you so far?

It would probably be a toss up between the following: being asked to collaborate with Habitat (not long after we launched) to create a month-long living room installation in their flagship store which was part of a wider campaign about small space living. We had our logo all over the store and were featured in about 10 pieces of press - other people to have done this are Sophie Robinson, Jackson & Levine, House of Holland etc, so we were up there with some amazing people. Another proud moment was recently in December where we launched a new type of workshop teaching people how to boost their interior businesses and it sold out within a day. It was amazing to know people are interested in what we have to offer and are willing to come from all over the country to attend.

What are your future plans?

We’re quite keen on setting up an online course to help people boost their interior design businesses. We’ve learned so much over the last couple of years, much of it trial and error, so we’ve got a lot of information to impart. We’re also wanting to branch out more into designing property developments after a recent project with a new site in West London and some interest in the Battersea development, too.

What would you say to anyone entering the interiors industry?

Focus on building a strong portfolio with well-shot images - even if this means using your own home as part of it. This doesn’t mean you need endless projects, it’s quality over quantity. A few projects, with strong imagery, will help you gain clients fast.

To find out more about Topology workshops and services, please visit topologyinteriors.com

topologyinteriors.com

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IG @topologyinteriors

INTO THE BLUE “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.�

William Morris

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shopping

research and graphics by Emilia Vespoli

MY THERESA STELLA MCCARTNEY Cape Midi Dress

STUDIO SOMÉE KAYAPO Giclée Print

FELDSPAR Moor Soap

DESIGN WHARF IBRIDE Osorio Plates

LA BRÛMÉE Brume Fraîche Natural Hair Mist FELDSPAR Indigo Moor Blanket

ELISE SOM QI Table

WOLF & MOON Drop Circle Earrings

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IG @via_san_vito

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ART Collaging narrative interview by Karolina Barnes and art provided by Maria Rivans

Best known for her unique approach to collaging, Maria Rivans is one of the most exciting and sought after British artists gracing the current art scene. Inspired and heavily influenced by different film and TV genres, Maria is able to hold an ongoing conversation with the viewer, bringing out the past and intertwining it with both contemporary factual and dreamlike narratives. Any art lover can appreciate her scrapbook-style approach which is able to captivate and transport us into the world of fantasy in style. Each piece is as complex as the story behind it. Using bold colours and intricate detail, Maria's artwork is fascinating as well as whimsical.

Maria is based in Brighton where she works from her studio, a building from 1911 that used to be a small cinema. She exhibits her work throughout the UK and internationally. In 2017 and 2018, her work featured in The Times newspaper and her Film Still "Understanding Nothing" was selected for the Royal Academy's 250th Summer Exhibition. Here I talk with Maria about her work and journey so far.

Left: Ava

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4 MIN

art · c ov er stor y

When did you realise you have a passion for art?

As a young child, I would sit at the dining table and draw for hours, I loved the whole process of drawing and using my vivid imagination . When I was about 12, I watched the Hollywood movie ‘A Stolen Life’, starring one of my all-time favourites Bette Davis. Bette plays an artist and when I watched the scene of her working in her magnificent studio, it felt like a revelation, at that point I knew I wanted to be an artist. Five years later I found myself at art college which eventually lead on to having my own studio which I still love and enjoy.

Your style and approach to collaging are very unique. How would you describe your work?

My collages intertwine fragments of vintage ephemera, with reference to film and TV which spin bizarre and dreamlike tales. I am highly influenced by sci-fi, philosophy and Hitchcock. I talk about life, love, the universe and question what it is to be a human living in this strange physical 3D reality. The works are highly intricate and all hand built from cutting vintage ephemera that I have collected over many years. I enjoy the hands-on approach, I’m not really interested in working on a computer, the whole physical making process is very important for me.

Have you got any mentors or other artists that you look up to or have been inspired by in your own career?

I have a whole list of people and things that have and still inspire me: The Brit Art Movement, Hitchcock, Planet of the Apes, Forbidden Planet, Land of the Giants, Marine Boy, Bette Davis, David Hockney, David Bowie, Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Hyronimus Bosch, Richard Hamilton, Rauschenberg, The Singing Ringing Tree, Tarzan...I could go on!

What did you find most challenging in the early days of your career?

It wasn’t easy but making art always drove me as it was something I just had to do to feed my soul. Trying to launch a career as an artist is very challenging financially. I worked incredibly hard, spending very long hours in my studio for not much financial reward, but it was always creatively rewarding which always got me through. It can take a while before your career takes off, I spent a long time refining my work and finding my style and held part-time jobs and worked evenings.

Right: Marianne

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Tanzania

What was the best advice you received and what would you say to any emerging artist coming into the industry?

I was told to just keep going, never give up, get your work out there and eventually, you will be seen and taken notice of. This was great advice as it turned out to be true. I would say to always work from your heart, create from your soul and feel a sense of connectedness. Be totally unique, have your own style and if you make something that is amazing and different, people will want to have it.

Left: Freya

mariarivans.com

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IG @mariarivans

G O NE R OG U E

art ¡ business

Artwork by Zabou

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art ¡ business stor y 5 MIN

Doing things differently interview by Karolina Barnes, image provided by Kim Shaylor

Gone Rogue is not your ordinary art curator or gallery. Previously of The House of Artists, Gone Rogue is founded by Kim Shaylor and Vanessa Blythe, two inspiring women who share a common background in art and mental wellbeing. Their mission is to make spaces come alive through art, giving artists opportunities to showcase their work beyond the traditional gallery space.

I sat down with Kim and Vanessa to tell us more about their business.

Tell us more about your backgrounds and how you came to setting up Gone Rogue?

I have worked in the creative industry for 20 years, both in London and LA - mainly in design, print and interiors. Setting up The House of Artists with friend and artist, Ben Allen, 5 years ago, gave me an amazing introduction to the art world not only as a working environment but also understanding the problems and needs of the artists.

Vanessa, on the other hand, has lived and worked in Italy for 9 years, working in the Fashion and Music industries. On her return to the UK, she launched her own fashion label.

Vanessa is also a fully trained counsellor.

As for how we came to set up Gone Rogue - we met in our children’s primary school playground, we didn’t know it but we had both noticed each other and was drawn to each others energy. Then one day, we finally got to say hi and realised our worlds were about to collide. We shared the same desire to search and learn more about life coaching / counselling and that led to us wanting to explore working with mental health within the creative / art world. We realised that one of the most exciting ways we could help the artists is to facilitate them on their journey of exposing their work to a wider audience from all walks of life and to support them on their creative venture.

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art ¡ business stor y

Gone Rogue is an art curating/consulting business with a conscience that is focused on the relationship between art, fashion, photography and mental wellbeing.

How do you select the artists you curate?

It can be so many different ways. Sometimes the artist inspires us to look at their art and other times the art makes us reach out to an artist and want to know more. We love the story behind the artwork. Our artists are chosen through engagement and relationship rather than just choosing visually pleasing work. There needs to be a substance, a desire to challenge conformity where possible, with respect and honesty. We like to work with artists that share our vision of going rogue and putting art where it isn’t expected and by making people feel that it's something they can be a part of and fall in love with, no matter who they are.

Your business model is very different from the traditional art gallery model. Can you briefly describe how you work?

Our concept is to work with interior designers, residential and commercial clients, architects and venues directly to curate art shows or permanent art installations that suit their requirements. We look to make spaces come alive with art, whether contemporary framed pieces, bold wall art, murals or even bespoke ceiling and floor designs. We feel that there is a lack of opportunities for artists to show their work and gain exposure, unless it's within a gallery space. Even though galleries are amazing, we saw a gap in the market to take the show to the people rather than the other way around. We like the idea of challenging where and who gets to see art; whether that be scouting new locations or just spaces that are accessible to a wider range of people.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the importance of wellbeing and its relationship to art?

The relationship is huge, there is a constant struggle for artist between being free in their creative mind and then having to be in a corporate or admin/social media heavy world that can eat them up. This could be due to them not being able to support themselves or their families on art alone or can just be that they are hugely successful in their art, but the outside world is very daunting and overwhelming. Either way, their wellbeing and self-care are always being challenged.

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art ¡ business stor y

To be creative and passionate normally means you are very emotional which can be great but can also leave you vulnerable. Artists and creatives are wired differently, that’s what makes them SO special. Our ethos is to support them in their creative artistry with complete transparency and integrity.

What are your plans for 2019? Where can we see your exhibitions?

This will be our first full year and we are already so excited about what's to come, and are already overwhelmed with the recognition Gone Rogue is getting.

We have a year contract at ME Hotel London to curate art shows in their Marconi Lounge, it is such an amazing space and our first two shows have been a great success. We launch a new show every 6 weeks, allowing us to work with a multitude of diverse artists. The next group show is called Gone Rogue Collage and we have some amazing artists including Maria Rivans (front cover), Collagism and Bonnie and Clyde to name a few. The private view is on 16th April so if you want to come along then message us on info@gonerogueldn.com and we will add you to the guest list.

As for other projects, we are in discussions with 2 hotels in Ibiza about curating a similar space for them over the summer months and some rogue pop up events which are in the pipeline. In April, we have a collaboration/pop up in Tunbridge Wells with an amazing hair salon called Truffle. Their interior space is incredible, it's designed by 69 scoops and it lends itself to transforming into the perfect space to show art, to not only their clients, but to the wider audiences we want to reach within that community.

We are going to continue to think ahead of the curve and take risks and enjoy the journey with the artists side by side. As for V and I, we are going to connect as many great minds together as we can. Break down the barriers of creative ownership. Champion as many art galleries, art fairs, interior designers, artists and art buyers - as we have said from the start - there is enough light in the world for us all to shine. And together we shine brighter.

For latest updates please follow Gone Rogue on Instagram @gonerogueldn.

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IG @gonerogueldn

FASHION “The poetry of the everyday”

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fashi on · j e weller y designer 4 MIN

The language of jewels with Maya Selway words by Flavia Young

In my profession as a stylist, eye for detail is a pre-requisite. An overused phrase to describe people with that inherent eye for quality and beauty, who can at the blink of an eye discern between the extraordinary and the mediocre. In my long career in fashion, I have come across a lot of real talent in design, but jewellery design was never something that used to excite me.

I guess growing up back in Brazil, with a father whose business was mining gemstones - meaning that even our toilet paper holder at home was an amethyst crystal, I naturally grew bored and wary of ostentatious gemstones.

Until very recently, when choosing a sapphire to replace the one I lost from the beautiful ring my husband gave me for our tenth wedding anniversary (many moons ago), I started to appreciate the beauty of these gems. A full thirty years after leaving home and those amethyst toilet paper holders behind!!

As one would expect, my new found love still carries with it a lot of caution, only the most discreet, demi-fine pieces really enthral me and almost as a rule, they tend to be pieces designed by artists who broke the mould. Artists with a special sensibility that you can’t find in those who are simply jewellery dealers.

Recently, I came across Maya Selway pieces at Joseph Designers, the legendary shrine to luxury fashion at the heart of Brompton Cross, London. It was love at first sight. A quick browse through the artist’s delicate pieces leaves one with a sense of what true exclusivity should feel like - pieces that not just anyone can produce or just anyone can own.

Here at Estila, we pride ourselves in showcasing such feelings to our eagle-eyed readers, so please, do allow yourself the pleasure.

Enjoy.

Flavia xx estila 55

fashion on ¡¡ jjeeweller welleryy designer designer fashi

Maya Selway's treasured fine jewellery collections whisper of stories held in their quiet beauty.

Gold and precious gemstones are invested with a warm, human quality and the poetry of the everyday.

Designed to celebrate and compliment your existing jewellery, her work welcomes the layer of personal meaning added as they are worn, becoming more precious with the passage of time.

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fashi on · j e weller y designer

“She sits at her bench, in the half-light with a thousand-yard stare of concentration etched on her face. There is patience about how she works and obstinacy about how she wants it to be.”

ABOUT MAYA SELWAY With the heart and observations of an artist, Maya is a jeweller marked apart by an approach led by ideas rather than technique. Ideas which are always underpinned by exacting craftsmanship.

She emerged into art school when everybody was telling her that conceptual art was the thing, that grit under the fingernails and simple materials were outmoded and backward looking. That’s when the thousand-yard stare helped her out because being Maya she wanted to have both. To live and breathe in a workshop, at the same time as rigorously, nurturing her thoughts and feelings into a conceptual framework that would sustain her work for a lifetime.

From an artistic family and after creative explorations in prop making, silversmithing and sculpture she has come to settle on jewellery for its ability to relate to human experience.

And so her art has found its way, not into the confines of the gallery but into the universal language of precious jewels.

Maya works on commissions that range from simple variations on her existing collections, remodelling of clients existing gems or more detailed one-off bespoke pieces.

For more information about Maya Selway jewellery pieces and services, please visit mayaselway.com.

Follow Maya on Instagram: @mayaselway

luxe-layers.com

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IG @luxe_layers

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fashion · brand stor y 4 MIN

For the love of curves with The Hour

interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Nana Rasoeva

The story of the London-based luxury independent fashion brand, The Hour, started after its founder and creative director, Nana Rasoeva, noticed that the plus size options were very limited when it came to cut and quality. After a few years of research and planning, The Hour launched in 2018. We talked to Nana about her inspiring journey of transitioning from her career as a doctor to establishing a new fashion brand on the market.

Can you tell us more about your journey and how you transitioned from a doctor to creative director of The Hour?

I studied medicine and started out as an Ob Gyn doctor. I would never have imagined that I would start a fashion brand. After I went up a couple of dress sizes I couldn’t find the same kind of quality, well-cut clothes that I used to wear. I found plus size women’s clothing uninspiring, often shapeless and made of cheap polyester. The more I continued to try and shop for luxury plus size clothes, the more I realised they were nearly non-existent, and so the seeds were sewn. I decided to go back to school to study fashion design and patternmaking. Not long after I founded The Hour.

What is different about your brand?

Our bespoke approach is what makes us stand out. This involves ingenious pattern cutting techniques, which ensures an excellent fit for different body shapes. The Hour clothes are ethically produced with high quality European fabrics in the leading luxury factories in Italy and Portugal.

“

The more I continued to try and shop for luxury plus size clothes, the more I realised they were nearly non-existent, and so the seeds were sewn.

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Left: Diaphanous Coat | Tuxedo Trousers This page: Black A-line Dress

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This page: Jacquard Flounce Sleeve Jacket Right: Black V-neck Dress

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fashion ¡ brand stor y

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Tweed Effect Jacket and Trousers

fashion ¡ brand stor y

What is your mission with The Hour?

I founded The Hour to liberate women like myself with more options, while promoting body inclusivity by cutting for curves in sizes 14-28. We continue to set goals to achieve greater levels of sustainability, in addition to excellent fit, immaculate craftsmanship and luxury materials.

What do you stand for as a brand?

I believe that style is about expressing yourself, and making sure you look and feel great regardless of size or age.

What have you found most challenging while setting up The Hour?

In the beginning, the biggest challenge was finding manufacturing partners that would produce high quality clothes that would share our ethical and sustainable ethos. Introducing high quality, luxury clothes to an unsaturated plus size market is a challenge because we are breaking the perception that the majority of plus size clothes are shapeless and made of cheap polyester.

Tell us more about your first collection and the inspiration behind it..

Rather than trends, our collection is defined by buildable wardrobe foundations. We produce versatile pieces, which our customers need, when they need it and promote investing in fewer, better pieces with longer lifecycles. Our design philosophy is one of timelessness, lasting quality and enduring trends.

My inspiration was the “The Hour Woman�. She is feminine and sophisticated, intelligent and strong-willed. She values quality and has a solid sense of self.

What is your favourite piece and why?

That is a very tricky question! Personally, I love everything in this collection but at the moment I live in my Tuxedo Trousers. They look very smart and feel incredibly comfortable (like wearing joggers). I can dress them up with high heels and the Sequin Opera Jacket, or dress them down with a white cotton shirt and a pair of trainers.

thehourlondon.com

IG @thehourlondon

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fashion ¡ emer ging brands 2 MIN

Tradition and collaboration words and images by Karolina Barnes

There are so many exciting emerging brands undiscovered. In each volume, we try to highlight the best upcoming lifestyle and fashion accessory labels that will be big in the future. Here are two of them - one putting tradition at the heart of their brand existence, embracing the ever so diminishing knowledge, skill and expertise in the market, and the other embracing collaboration and partnerships to offer customers something unique and different.

THE WATCH STORY ADEXE is the first brand created by The Club W Ltd in the UK, a family-run watch manufacturer that has been in the watch business for over 30 years, and one of the very few that is capable of producing almost all of the components in-house.

It is common in the fashion watch industry that the brands do not make watches themselves. This is because they don't have the know-how and expertise to achieve watchmaking excellence. And so after making watches for the high-street for many years, ADEXE is now a standalone brand, creating pieces that reflect the spirit of its wearer, never compromising on quality.

Available at adexe.co.uk THE CUFF STORY Designed by Esa Evans, a Kent-based jewellery designer who is passionate about and inspired by art, music, design and collaborations. Her wearable art is for anyone who seeks unique, bold and daring jewellery pieces that stand out from the sea of sameness. These cuffs are finished in highly polished stainless steel with 18ct rose gold or gold plating.

Available at esaevans.com

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fashion · designer stor y 3 MIN

The "Freedom" Collection with Luna Amani

words by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Luna Amani

Fashion designer, philanthropist and “mumpreneur”, Luna Amani established her namesake fashion accessory brand upon her unique style and her rich Persian heritage, borrowing from her memories growing up in Iran and her integration with multi-cultural experiences. I love how she is not afraid to explore her creative freedom while challenging the status quo. As a sustainable and responsible brand, part of Luna's mission is to share her success by supporting young women in Iran to follow their dreams –she currently donates a percentage of sales to carefully selected charities and hopes that one day this percentage will drive some significant change in these communities. Here we share her SS19 collection called Azadi, which means freedom in Farsi.

“

I believe that exceptionally designed pieces with luxurious details and materials should be the first consideration.

I want my designs to be treasured and enjoyed for decades to come.

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Tala Black

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The inspiration The inspiration behind this collection comes from the gardens around the Azadi tower in Tehran, where the shape of each garden is geometric. The green comes from the grass in the gardens, which is subsequently the Luna Amani brand colour and is the symbolic manifestation of freedom. The signature items for this collection are the green and black octagon bags (on following pages) that have been designed to stand alone in any contemporary women’s wardrobe.

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Donya Black

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Kimiya Nude

The characteristics The Azadi collection showcases a more transitional, versatile colour range. Nude is paired with silver custom hardware and black with rose gold. Also original to this season are resin handles on the “boxier” signature pieces that also sit back with rose gold.

All bags are created with supersoft, lightweight pebble grain leather, adorned with logo detail and bold styling.

The products Donya Octagon Clutch Bag - symbolising freedom for the people of Iran. Its compact size makes it a perfect companion for dancing and enjoying this seasons events and festivals.

It can fit your mobile phone, cards and lipstick. Price £250.

Tala Grab / Crossbody Bag - a black, versatile bag with geometric silhuette big enough for daily necessities. Price £350 Kimiya Should / Clutch Bag - nude colour makes this bag to go with possibly every look, from day to night. Its extendable strap and inner handle gives it added versatility.

Price £325

lunaamani.com

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IG @lunaamani_official

BEAUTY “Natural radiant look that never compromises on quality or authenticity.�

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be auty ¡ business stor y 5 MIN

Interview with Petra Strand from Pixi Beauty interview and product photography by Nicola McCullough

Pixi Beauty has long resonated with me as a brand that makes beauty choices fuss-free and accessible to everyone. Its everyday staples are designed to create a naturally radiant look, with multi-tasking ingredients housed in elegant yet practical packaging. Best known for its legendary Glow Tonic and equally glowing make-up bases, Pixi's product line-up includes a full range of skincare and make-up to suit every skin type.

I caught up with founder, Petra Strand, to discuss the challenges and rewards of establishing a brand that has acquired a reputation verging on cult status.

We love the Pixi ethos of bringing out woman's natural beauty to look 'like themselves, only better'... tell us where this evolved from.

My original beauty inspiration was my Grandmother who had a cafe in Stockholm and worked so hard. She was entrepreneurial and so inspiring... baking for the cafe in her kitchen, always with a perfectly applied touch of lipstick. As a child, her creams and oils always fascinated me and she took great care of her skin (even if she only had 5 minutes).

Looking like the best version of 'you' is a strong and powerful thing to me - essentially being happy in your own skin.

It feels like yesterday since your flagship store opened in Soho. You've come so far and yet that must have felt like a huge step at the time?

It is 20 years in September - I can’t believe it sometimes - it has been quite the journey!

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be auty ¡ business stor y

The Pixi store in London is always at the heart of the brand, the place where it all started from. What is so fascinating to me is that every piece of international business has come about because a buyer or somebody went to the store and experienced Pixi 'at home'.

What was the biggest challenge in establishing your beauty brand?

We are an independent brand and over the years I have had so many people telling me I should do things differently, but I have always been instinctual with Pixi and gone with my gut feeling. There are new challenges every day at every size when you are building any company. You have to be a problem solver and really be passionate about what you are doing.

I don’t see challenges – I only see opportunities!

What has been the greatest highlight for you so far?

Oh so many! Opening the two boutiques (one in London and one in LA), launching in Target in US and M&S in the UK - these are stores I grew up with. Now I love coming into one of our Pixi offices and seeing the teams - I'm so proud of what we are achieving together every day!

What do you think makes women choose Pixi Beauty over other brands?

I think Pixi resonates because it is authentic. We are an indie brand with the founding family still actively working every day - and we do what we do best, to create amazing quality products that treat as they make you look your best.

I made a stand to create make-up and skincare which were not a compromise in quality versus the high-end brands, that were a solid alternative at a really inclusive price point.

Flawless in 5 minutes is my motto as sometimes that is exactly how much time we have.

Where does your heart lie: make-up or skincare?

I love both equally, always did. I could not choose and I love them for such different reasons. With make-up, I love the creativity and the process, how colour can instantly transform and have such a positive impact. Skincare I love because of the ritual and the self-care, the sumptuous textures and gorgeous aromas.

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be auty ¡ business stor y

What are your top three Pixi Beauty make-up picks?

Correction Concentrate - a peach neutraliser that erases dark circles, I call this my '8 hours of sleep in a jar'.

Beauty Balm - the new foundation I created, which gives such a beautifully flawless finish, is velvety in texture, feels like a 2nd skin and has plumping peptides and soothing botanicals.

Lash Lift 188 - I have straight lashes and this mascara lifts/fans and separates the lashes so perfectly, even if you don’t curl them. It also has 2 brushes, a silicone wand and a teeny spoolie that is nestled inside the main wand, so it captures every single lash.

I also love Liquid Fairy Lights - a liquid/water based tinted eyeshadow with really beautiful pieces of glitter that are so light reflective. I use this traced over my liner for a subtle touch of glimmer.

And your top three skincare picks?

I am obsessed with the new On-the-Glow Moisture Stick. I wanted to create a solid oil that you could carry in your make up bag to work on any dryness for targeted moisture. I use it as a naturally reflective highlighter/lip balm/skin moisturiser and even run it through flyaways in the hair.

Rose Oil Blend - I feel that my Grandma would have loved this too, it is a sumptuous blend of Rose, Rosehip, Rose Geranium and Pomegranate to nourish and cocoon the skin with moisture.

Glow Tonic - I still love this 20 years later - it preps the skin so beautifully, hydrates, enhances glow, makes the rest of your skincare perform better and foundation glide on smoother & stay on longer.

You grew up in Sweden. How has this influenced your aesthetic?

I love clean products and clear fresh colours and think that's to do with the bright light and nature I grew up in. Sweden is so fresh and crisp - I draw a lot of inspiration from there. I love creating products that treat the skin, are potent yet gentle, and make-up that gives you a fresh glowy look.

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be auty ¡ business stor y

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be auty · business stor y

You've had a lot of exciting product launches in the last year or two... what's next from Pixi?

As we are 20 years old this year we are celebrating with the largest launch of newness in the history of Pixi, where I have created products that are an extension of the 'Glow Tonic family', so they contain the cocktail of goodness which is in that iconic toner: Aloe/Ginseng/Horse Chestnut/Witchazel and a little touch of Glycolic. The Collagen collection, which contains skin plumping plant collagen & peptides and soothing humectants. The Vitamin C family which brightens and adds clarity to all skins because of the gorgeous citrus and anti oxidants. The Hydrating Milky Collection - utterly calming and soothing with pro biotics, oatmilk and coconut, suitable for the most sensitive and reactive skins.

Needless to say, we have been quite busy, but we don’t rest on our laurels, we are in the middle of a lot more exciting newness coming in 2020.

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime?

I am a Mum of 4 so I really enjoy spending time with the family and I love the chance to relax and centre my thoughts by spending time in nature. My work is really my hobby, I miss it if I go on holiday!

Pixi started (at my kitchen table in SW London) as a hobby, with a lot of boxes of stock in the hallway that my husband and I would drive to the boutique or Post Office. We used to borrow my son’s desk and computer as office space... fast forward 20 years and we now have offices in 3 countries and sell in more than 3000 shops!

I wouldn’t change a thing!

For more information about Pixi Beauty products, please visit www.pixibeauty.co.uk For latest updates follow on Twitter: @pixibeauty and Instagram @pixibeautyuk

strawberryblondebeauty.com

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IG @strawbryblonde

TRAVEL “Home from home for the creative traveller.�

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t rav el · business stor y 4 MIN

Artist Residence words and photography by Karolina Barnes

As an art lover and a creative, one of my favourite places for meetings and short breaks is the Artist Residence hotel in London. Located in Pimlico within a short walking distance from Victoria and Sloane Square, the hotel has 10 guest bedrooms. The original building, a public house, dates back to 1852 and was designed by the master planner Thomas Cubitt, who was renowned for creating the Belgravia and Pimlico neighbourhoods of London. After taking over the property by The Artist Residence owners, the interior has been restored and individually decorated in modern rustic and eclectic style, featuring artworks from local artists. The vibe is very relaxed and homely yet modern, and the rooms are designed to accommodate kids, too.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Back in 2008, while Justin (one of the co-founders) was helping out with the family B&B on Brighton seafront, he found an unexpected solution to his limited renovation budget.

Inspired by the local art scene and creative pool, he sent out an add for artists to decorate rooms in return for boarding. From that small boutique B&B, the business has grown to soon to be 5 location hospitality business. Its success is down to not only Justin but his wife Charlie too, and with their combined love for art, design and hospitality, the business is built around a perfected design aesthetic and a strong emphasis on food and beverage.

THE MISSION From the start, the mission has been to create a home from home place for the creative traveller. Comfortable and familiar interiors with an artistic, playful feel in which guests, visitors and local community can feel welcomed. Their approach to design is always to create something fun, eclectic and cosy – like a friend’s house you never want to leave.

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t rav el ¡ business stor y

The Cambridge Street Kitchen is an aficionado's dream of pop art, neon and shabby-chic, with an ever-changing seasonal menu. Deep in the basement, the Clarendon Cocktail Cellar is a luscious den, buzzing with guests and locals alike.

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trav el ¡ business stor y

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trav el ¡ business stor y

Each of the 10 bedrooms is unique, fizzing with original works of contemporary art and quirky furnishings.

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trav el ¡ business stor y

THE ARTIST RESIDENCE LOCATIONS BRIGHTON

PENZANCE

34 Regency Square

20 Chapel Street

Brighton

Penzance

East Sussex

West Cornwall

BN1 2FJ

TR18 4AW

email: brighton@artistresidence.co.uk

email: penzance@artistresidence.co.uk

LONDON (featured)

OXFORDSHIRE

52 Cambridge Street

Station Road

London

South Leigh

SW1V 4QQ

Oxford

email: london@artistresidence.co.uk

OX29 6XN email: oxford@artistresidence.co.uk

artistresidence.co.uk

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IG @artistresidence

business · mindset

Living your best life written by Suzanne Selvester

PART 2. “Set your intention” Setting your intention is a fundamental part of living your best life. We think about what we want but are not resolute in setting our intention. We don’t unconditionally declare our desires, therefore we unwittingly create uncertainty and volatility in our life.

To set your intention and achieve the life of your dreams, you must be absolutely clear about what you want. A promotion, a better relationship with friends and family, more money, love and romance, great sex or even just interesting conversation. You can have it all but you must be abundantly clear about it.

Usually, our focus is on what we don’t want and we wonder why it keeps showing up. I don’t want to be poor, I don't want to be alone, I don't want to fail. When your focus is on not having enough money, you will never have enough money. If you think about getting sick, you usually will. Obsess about being alone and suddenly the whole dating scene dries up and there’s not a man in sight. Despair at putting on weight and watch that million calorie latte with caramel syrup pour itself down your throat.

The reason is simple: where focus goes, energy flows. It’s called the Law of Attraction and it’s at play in every aspect of our life. Like attracts like and thoughts become things, therefore you need to be very careful with your thoughts. Instead of focusing on what you don't want in your life, you have to make the switch and focus on what you do.

I want happiness, I want love, I want money, I want success. These declarations should be made loud and proud every day. Set your intention clearly and the universe will collide to make it happen.

To break it down further, there are two very important details that are often forgotten. The first is to ask for what you want. Ask the universe and ask repeatedly. Ask quietly of yourself or shout it out loud. Ask God or ask your cat, but whatever you do; ask.

It goes like this. Please give me the promotion that will change my life. Please give me the loving intimate relationship that I want so much. Please give me more money to travel and appreciate this beautiful planet we live on. It’s okay to want more, the key is not to need more, but I’ll cover that in the next article.

The second detail is how you ask and there are two very distinctive ways of asking. One is with longing and the other is with absolute certainty. Ask with longing and you will push whatever you want further away.

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business · mindset Gauge your level of longing by observing your reaction to others getting what they desire. Does seeing a couple in love activate a deep yearning to feel the same way? A friend’s new car makes you green with envy? Does the girl in accounts being promoted above you seem so damn unfair? Any feelings of negativity come from a place of longing and feeling this way will make achieving your goals seem harder.

Ask from a place of absolute certainty and achieving them will be easy. When you see the couple in love, feel happy for them and get excited about the same thing happening for you. A new car for a friend should be a confirmation that yours is just around the corner and being genuinely happy for others who succeed only accelerates your own success. You are like a mirror - what you project, you attract. What you put out there, comes back to you. Set your intention with a glad heart, be absolutely certain you will receive what you want and the life of your dreams will be yours.

As with everything, the challenge is to be patient and consistent. The universe doesn’t favour you, if fact the universe doesn’t care about you. It won't give you what you want just because you're a nice person. The universe is energy and reacts to energy. You are energy and you are either high frequency or low.

Success, money, love, health and happiness are all high frequency and to get them, we have to match that frequency. One of the fastest ways to do that is to be grateful. Live with gratitude, love in your heart and you will be the magnet for your desires. Have an attitude of gratitude and you will catapult your frequency to the highest plane.

Feel excited about your success and it will come to you. Be happy for the challenges you face and grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn from each one. Immense gratitude is a decisive part of setting your intention.

Find reasons to appreciate what you already have in your life and you’re living in a state of abundance. Feeling abundant creates more abundance. Focus on what you don't have, constantly finding things to complain about and you’re living in a state of scarcity. When scarcity is your state of mind, you will never have enough and will always yearn for more.

Step one is to be personally responsible for your life, take control and steer your own ship. Step two is to set your intention. Switch your focus to what you want, don’t give a second of thought to what you don't want and watch the transformation begin.

Instructions to Setting Your Intention Think about what you want from your life, be clear and decisive about it. Focus only on what you want. Ask for it. Ask with certainty and be prepared to receive it. Have an attitude of gratitude. Be excited at the prospect of living the life of your dreams. Have an abundant mindset and create abundance in your world.

ABOUT SUZANNE Suzanne is a motivational speaker, corporate lifecoach, writer and author | suzanneselvester.com

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VOLUME 6 - EVOLUTION

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Interviews with: Holly Tucker, Jasmine de Silva,

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Interviews with: Julie Kouamo, Peggy Wolf,

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Interviews with: Sophie Thompson, Aiveen Daly,

Interviews with: Matthew Williamson, Nicola Taylor,

Deborah Campbell, Karen Radley, Oskia

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THANK YOU!

Feel excited about your success and it will come to you. Be happy for the challenges you face and grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn from each one. Immense gratitude is a decisive part of setting your intention. Find reasons to appreciate what you already have in your life and you’re living in a state of abundance.

Feeling abundant creates more abundance. Focus on what you don't have, constantly finding things to complain about and you’re living in a state of scarcity. When scarcity is your state of mind, you will never have enough and will always yearn for more.

by Suzanne Selvester - THE PROGRESSION ISSUE -

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