ESTILA VOLUME 2.

ESTILA e m po w e ri n g through style and colour

VOLUME 2 / ISSUE 17

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 Printed and bound by Logical Connections.

THE COLOUR EXPLOSION ISSUE 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.

estila.co

EDITORS Karolina Barnes / karolinabarnes.co.uk Anouska Lancaster / noushkadesign.com Emilia Vespoli / viasanvito.com Flavia Young / luxe-layers.com Nicola McCullough / strawberryblondebeauty.com Ellen Stanton / paleblueplate.com Karla Cihak

STYLISTS Louise Ives-Wilkinson / iwinteriors.co.uk Athina Bluff / topologylondon.co.uk

PROOF READER Claire Smith

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS Clare Murthy Jake Fitzjones David Woodcock Louise Ives-Wilkinson Karolina Barnes Nicola McCullough Ellen Stanton

CONTACT estila.co / IG @estilamagazine For advertising and collaborations, please write to editor@estila.co

COVER: "Chasing Poppy" by Alexandra Gallagher Page 40

editor’s note Welcome to the second print edition of ESTILA magazine. For this issue, I turned to some of my favourite designers, artists and businesswomen who inspire me every day.

My starting point for this COLOUR EXPLOSION volume came from the stunning Alexandra Gallagher "Chasing Poppy" artwork on the cover. I came across it while browsing the ArtSnug website, shortly after I met its founder, Elina Gough at West Elm. Its colours gave me the direction for the feel I wanted this issue to have. As you browse through the magazine, you'll see these colours flowing very naturally in a cohesive manner from start to end.

While bold red can be seen in the "High Sky Living" interior designed by Bhavin Taylor, who, in my eyes, is the master of blending a splash of colour with neutral tones, turquoise, greens and blues are seen in the designs by Sophie Thompson but also in the styling shoot by our interiors stylist Louise Ives-Wilkinson and Sarah Bond's womenswear collection.

Pastel hues and vibrant pink can be found in the interiors designed by Fiona Brass and also in the Emilio de la Morena SS17 collection. His latest collection in particular is exactly what ESTILA is about: powerful style and colours that inspire us all in everything we do.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Karolina Barnes / editor-in-chief

EDITOR’S PICKS

Page 14

Page 64

Page 36

content INTERIORS Case Study: Jewelled Colours

08 Home Tour: High Sky Living 14 Business: Upholstery Couture - Interview with Aiveen Daly 24 Designer Spotlight: Botanical Beauty with Sophie Thompson 30 Styling: Velvet Goldmine 36

ART Cover story: ArtSnug - Interview with Elina Gough

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FASHION Shopping: Walk The Line 50 Discovered: Latest Emerging Designers 52 Candy Explosion: Emilio de la Morena SS17 56 Business: Building a Business with Purpose with Alida Boer 60 Designer Spotlight: Interview with Sarah Bond 64

BEAUTY Tried & Tested: Winter Brighteners 72 Business: Interview with Grace Fodor from Studio 10 76

TRAVEL & FOOD Exploring Barcelona 82

MINDSET Snapshot of your life - Part 1. with Sarah Jones

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EDITOR’S BLACK BOOK 96

INTERIORS “I wanted to create a balance using feminine and masculine touches.”

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i n teriors ¡ c ase study

Jewelled Colours words by Karolina Barnes and Fiona Brass, photography by Clare Murthy

Inspired by jewelled colours, Fiona Brass from Fiona Brass Interiors created this family space that is full of personality and sophistication.

The concept included having fun with colours and textures, an abundance of useful storage that was both streamlined and practical and a space that reflected how the family would live in years to come. Here she looks at the bedrooms as a case study of how the colours move from one room to the next.

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MASTER BEDROOM AND EN-SUITE Clean lines and symmetry create a master bedroom and en-suite offering an oasis of calm in this grown up quarter of the house. I carefully considered the balance of both feminine and masculine touches, choosing a deep blush pink contrasted against strong charcoal grey, romantically fusing the finalised design and defining the overall space.

Textures were kept plush, giving a nod to the use of the room, which was to be an adults’ retreat. Lashings of velvet, crisp cotton and sumptuous wool were introduced on various levels to ensure this space continued to offer its inhabitants a tactile feeling of indulgence before braving the outside world each morning.

I continued with the tones into the en-suite where tiles were laid horizontally in an orderly pattern to complement the defined pink stripes behind the bed. Deep granite and bold rose tones ensure this room flowed seamlessly through from the master bedroom.

UNISEX NURSERY The brief for this room was to design a beautiful unisex nursery that was practical and maximised the limited space available. My inspiration stemmed from the elegant rocking armchair (next page) that reminded me of a peacock’s feathers and had a luxurious velvet texture to the touch. Bringing in jewelled colours of vibrant blues and greens completed the initial concept for this space.

The deep mint tones of the curtains complemented the chair and by hanging them as high as possible, give the illusion of a larger room. I added touches of metallic and kept pattern to a minimum to ensure the room remained relaxing and calm. Soft lighting and a simple storage unit in jade green meant everything was at arms reach for the parents as well as offering flexible and concealed storage. I kept the cot and changing table a crisp white to contrast against the deep grey on the walls.

Finally, a very large sheepskin rug covered the floor, giving a supporting hug to anyone who happens to step into the room.

My Tips: 1.

REMEMBER 60/30/10 RULE 60% for the dominant colour or chosen neutral, 30% for the secondary tones and finally 10% accent colour. This is a staple fallback for many interior designers, including me, and a great structured approach to plan your overall room scheme.

2.

PICK FROM THE PATTERN When using wallpaper or fabric choose your colours so the tones work in harmony and offer a strong, cohesive overall scheme. I find many of my designs actually stem from one sample of wallpaper or pattern, which I fall in love with and continue to build upon!

3.

BE BRAVE, STRATEGICALLY If there’s a certain colour that you love and want to introduce into your scheme add it in a way that if it doesn’t work out, it could be easily changed. Some really simple ways of doing this are through painted frames, framed wallpaper samples or cushion covers. The more confident you become, the more you can build on this colour, layer by layer.

fionabrassinteriors.com

IG @fionabrassinteriors

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i n teriors ¡ home tour

Sky High Living words and styling by Bhavin Taylor, photography by Jake Fitzjones

When I took on this project the client’s bathroom had been ripped out and placed into the middle of the living room floor. The client had come to a standstill and needed my help to get her home back and create a restful space where she could escape from the long hours of her career.

The apartment was pretty much stripped back to its bare bones; installed underfloor heating, added walnut flooring throughout and kept the walls light to maintain a light and airy feel.

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i n teriors ¡ home tour

The biggest challenge in the living room was the pillar that was placed in the most awkward position. However, it made perfect sense to use this to my advantage so I used it to help divide up the open plan space. It provided the perfect proportions to give the client a decent size sitting area, music corner and dining area.

Considering that the apartment had such gorgeous views over London, I wanted to make sure that these were not interrupted by the design elements. That meant ensuring that all the furniture was low level so that the view could be taken advantage of from all angles of the room.

The patterned wallpaper in the open plan living space creates a soft but bold backdrop to this room and showcases the furnishings that have a distinct mid-century feel. The subtle grey tones and warm woods are accented in layers of yellow and teal accessories, adding vibrancy whilst maintaining a restful feel.

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i n teriors ¡ home tour

The restful theme continues into the master bedroom, following through the soft grey colour palate, however this time accented in royal blue and dark pink.

The client had a vast collection of designer shoes, so instead of hiding them away I wanted to make a feature of them and displayed them in a restored vintage medicine cabinet.

The second bedroom has quite a different vibe to the rest of the apartment with its all over orange and white patterned wallpaper. As a home office I wanted to make sure that it was vibrant and an inspiring space to work in. Placing the desk in front of the window just made sense to again take advantage of the view.

The ottoman houses a foldaway bed offering the option to turn this into a guest bedroom as and when needed.

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i nteriors ¡ home tour

The main bathroom is kept light and airy with large marble tiles making a very subtle statement, while small accessories add an interest and elegant feel.

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i n teriors ¡ home tour

ABOUT BHAVIN TAYLOR Bhavin trained at the prestigious KLC School of Design in London after a brief stint as a fashion and textile designer – an experience which gave him a valuable perspective on the nature of colour, pattern and form.

His signature style is all about a splash of bold colours mixed with a blend of classic neutrals. He has created calm yet characterful havens away from the hustle and bustle of London and New York, and more classic homes in Toronto and Vancouver.

Always considering comfort and practicality of the spaces he designs, he believes that interiors should be pleasing to the eye while reflecting your personality.

Bhavin Taylor Design offers a personalised service for the discerning client, no matter how big or small the project or budget.

bhavintaylordesign.com

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IG @bhavintaylordesign

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i nteriors ¡ business

Upholstery Couture interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Aiveen Daly

A few months ago I met Aiveen from Aiveen Daly at her North West London design studio. Aiveen specialises in hand-upholstered pieces of furniture using very unusual tailoring techniques only seen previously in fashion. Her use of luxurious embellishment and fabric manipulation techniques is what sets her apart within the high-end interior design market. She collaborates with the best interior designers, design studios and architects across the globe, which allows her to develop new methods and applications, taking upholstery into different areas of the interior and pushing its boundaries into surface decoration.

We talked about her business journey, what her biggest challenge had been and what she has learnt on the way.

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i nteriors ¡ business

What has been your journey so far that led you to designing and creating your own products and brand?

As a child I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up but my mother always loved interiors and glamour. I was born in Cork, Ireland and studied business and Russian at Trinity College in Dublin. After my studies I moved to Moscow and St Petersburg. I also lived in Sydney before moving to London to take a job at Newsweek magazine.

I then worked as UK marketing manager at Expedia but soon realised that a deskjob wasn’t really for me, so I decided to follow my passion for textiles. I enrolled in a full-time traditional furniture upholstery course at London Guildhall University.

While studying the course I developed my love for craftsmanship that I found in centuries old pieces of furniture.

I loved the idea of writing notes in the upholstery for the next generation to find and signing the initials of the maker. It was an age where furniture was seen as a luxury item and the finest fabrics and craft techniques were used as a sign of wealth and privilege before mass production took hold. I created my studio inspired by these values.

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i nteriors ¡ business

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What is your mission with Aiveen Daly?

From the start almost 10 years ago, my aim was to become the most sought after specialist upholsterer and offer something truly bespoke and unique to my clients, while keeping alive the traditional and very complex upholstery techniques. We have definitely achieve that, however my mission is still the same: to provide the best service and keep pushing the boundaries of upholstery.

What has been your biggest business challenge so far?

I think overcoming recession was definitely one of the most challenging times of the business. Recession almost eliminated that business overnight but luckily an opportunity to do a commission for the Candy brothers for their One Hyde Park project opened up new business for me. Looking back on it now, I see that project as my big break into the luxury interior design market.

How did you overcome the fear of failure and any insecurities you had?

My attitude is always about trying new things and taking chances. I wasn’t afraid of starting my own business because I was finally doing something I loved. I had nothing to lose. If it didn’t work out I still could go back and do what I was doing before, but I just felt I had to give it a go and see.

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about setting up a business in the interior design industry?

1. Start with baby steps - get yourself on a course and try the waters first.

2. Always listen to your gut.

3. Learn as much as you can; being from other experts in the market, mentors and books. Surround yourself with people that will help you on your journey. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions, so you can get the information and knowledge you need to get started. aiveendaly.com

IG @aiveendalyltd

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i n t e ri ors · designer spotlight

Botanical Beauty interview by Anouska Lancaster, photography provided by Sophie Thompson

As I browse the Terrarium website, I am instantly taken back to an uncomfortably warm day in May when I visited the Hampton Court Flower Show. Vivid butterflies are captured in the striking fabric, frantically fluttering as if caught in a net. I can almost feel them. The botanical flowers creep onto the wallpaper in vivid rich colours: so juicy that they make my mouth water.

Terrarium was founded by designer Sophie Thompson, whose inspiration is drawn from a deep fascination with man’s interaction with nature. The contrast between these two worlds is captured in delicate illustrations and contemporary digital processes to create dramatic, detailed designs.

Sophie’s artistic flair and visionary talent is abundantly portrayed in her products. Every fine detail is delicately depicted and joyfully celebrated. Sophie’s deep-rooted passion for her narrative, along with her exquisite eye for detail, creates the most explosive patterns, which excite and entice.

Just like one of the butterflies, I am captured. I need to learn more about this illustrative homewares and lifestyle brand. I talked to Sophie about her journey, why she started Terrarium and where she finds inspiration for her designs.

“I love how every fine detail is delicately depicted and joyfully celebrated.”

Anouska Lancaster, Interior Designer & Editor

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i n t e ri ors ¡ designer spotlight

How did your business come about?

Terrarium was created from my desire to bring the beauty of nature indoors through my unique hand-drawn design style. I wanted to create objects that expressed the captivating narrative between man and nature yet could also be used and appreciated as a functional element of an interior or outfit.

My love for botanical hand drawing with ink and water inspired me to create my design collection. I love contrasting the flowing blur of ink dropped into water with careful line work to express curving shapes of plants and flowers.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

My work is inspired by my deep fascination with how humans interact with nature. I love contrasting the natural and man-made worlds in my designs to create intriguing narrative - enriched designs with hidden surprises.

Sources of inspiration can include beautiful glasshouse structures containing tropical plants, the leafy forest floor where lost objects dropped by passersby are hidden and harsh industrial structures shadowing the nature surrounding it.

I enjoy capturing a story in a design, encouraging the viewer to take a second look and examining closer to realise more than they first thought is hidden within the pattern.

My bold illustrative style reflects historical and botanical illustration yet I enjoy using digital processes to create a contemporary twist. Essential to my drawing style is the use of ink dropped into water to capture beautiful blurring patterns. I then build up layers of hand-drawn detail to depict intense botanical specimens.

How important is colour and pattern in your design work?

Colour and pattern are extremely important in my work as they create balance and visual harmony. A careful use of colour and pattern allows me to tell a story in my designs and celebrate the beautiful abundance of nature.

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Terrarium offers wide range of homeware products; from wallpaper and fabric to cushions, lampshades and accessories. A new collection of silk scarves is available from January 2017.

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Two key colour palettes are important in my work. For a fresh and light look I enjoy using soft neutral tones of grey and white paired with pops of brights, such as chartreuse yellow green or a zing of magenta. For a moody look I use a dark ground colour, such as midnight blue to create depth - this is paired with rich saturated hues and pops if brights to highlight. Perfect for adding a touch of drama.

Where do you start when creating a collection for your fashion or interiors? Is there a concept, theme or feeling?

I am often inspired by places I visit, including natural landscapes such as dark leafy forests or glasshouses filled full of beautiful tropical plants. I enjoy capturing the beauty of these places through illustration and building up the hand-drawn elements to create a captivating scene. I love how this can then be applied to homewares allowing us to bring the beauty of nature into our living spaces.

What advice would you give to someone who loves colours but is afraid to use them in their home or wardrobe?

If you’re eager to use more colour but are wary of getting it wrong, try using patterned accessories to create a colourful and lively feature in a room or to an outfit. Pick one colour as your main tone then accessorise with pops of colour and pattern. Play it safe with a neutral or calm tone, such as grey for a room or black for an outfit, accessories then will stand out as a colourful focal point.

What can we expect from Terrarium in near future?

I look forward to expanding my product range in the future to create more ways in which Terrarium patterns can be used to decorate and accessorise. I would love to go big and bold with my designs on larger products such as wall murals, creating a dramatic and colourful effect. I look forward to collaborating with other designers to develop innovative products with a strong focus on narrative and pattern.

For further details, please visit terrariumdesigns.co.uk and follow Sophie on Instagram @terrariumdesigns.

noushkadesign.com IG @noushka_design

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interiors ¡ styling

Velvet

GOLDMINE

words, styling and photography by Louise Ives-Wilkinson and David Woodcock

Winter can often feel a little lacklustre after all the opulence and sparkle of Christmas.

So what better time than to bring back your home to life using colour and pattern.

Rather than paring back, I think surrounding yourself with things that make you happy and bring a smile to your face, is the best way forward. So lots of pattern, contrasting bright colours and quirky accessories all make for a fun interior.

Keeping your backdrop dark really brings jewel-like brights to life while keeping them seasonally appropriate. To me, nothing is quite as chic as navy blue, when it comes to dark colours, this really is my absolute favourite and I am currently having to restrain from painting my whole house. The gorgeous artists canvas style mural lends itself to a wide choice of colour palettes, with splashes of blues, greens, golds, pinks and neutrals, any of which can be highlighted by using co-ordinating accessories, depending on your mood.

Velvet is always luxurious and you can’t get much more opulent than when it comes in the form of a gold chaise lounge, someone pass the champagne! Incorporating polished brass accessories and fluffy lambskin brings texture to the party, while the fuchsia pink peonies give the right amount of pop to the scheme. Adding a little something unexpected (such as the gold ants) can give an interior a playful, quirky feel and stops it being too serious. The exploding head art print also brings a sense of fun and glamour while the colour palette ties everything together perfectly.

So go dark, go bold and banish those winter blues..............just maybe not the navy.

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i nteriors · styling

Paint FARROW & BALL, Hague Blue | Oh La la Wallpaper, FEATHR | Mustard Velvet 1950’s Chaise Lounge, STUBENHOCKER | Moire Rug by 2LG, FLOOR STORY | Print “A Certain Kind Of Magic" by Loui Jover, SOCIETY 6 | Tibetan Lambskin Stool made by Suburban Salon, Velvet Ombre Cushion made by Fiona Pitkin available at OHWHATSTHIS | Brass Plant Pot & Gold Ants | MIA FLEUR

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interiors ¡ styling

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i nteriors · styling

Every picture tells a story....

WALLPAPER STORY Feathr’s mission is to fill the world with ‘More art and less decoration’ and I love this ethos. Working with a global community, from tattoo artists to photographers, Feathr creates stunning designs available as wallpaper, fabric and cushions. ‘Oh la la’ is a mural by abstract artist Kiki Slaughter, based in Atlanta, USA. TOP TIP: Take a look at the ‘Neutral’ wallpaper by Luke Evans, this experimental photographer uses slices of cow brain under a microscope to create this surprisingly beautiful pattern. Definitely a great conversational piece!

RUG STORY Floor Story pride themselves on guiding you through the design process to realise the full potential of your floor. They work with some of the most innovative and experimental brands and their latest collaboration with interior designers, 2 Lovely Gays, presents three unique rug designs, including Moire. 2LG discovered the vintage fabric, that inspired the Moire rug design, hidden in the attic of their Victorian home and re-worked it with a contemporary twist.

ART STORY Society6 is home to hundreds of thousands of artists from around the globe, uploading and selling their original works in various forms, from Art Prints to Throw Blankets.

The variety of works on offer is vast and I challenge you not to find something that you just have to buy.

TOP TIP: Allow extra delivery time as they ship from America, but be reassured that if your package gets held at customs (which mine unfortunately did) Society6 will reimburse you the customs fee, which is great customer service.

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IG @louise_ives_wilkinson_design

ART “My mission is to make art more of an artcessory rather than luxury.�

Previous page: "Chasing Poppy" by Alexandra Gallagher | Above: "Flora Flamingo" by Lauren Mortimer

ArtSnug interview by Karolina Barnes, artwork provided by Elina Gough

On one of my recent visits to West Elm in London, I got talking to Elina Gough, the founder of ArtSnug. I was immediately impressed by her passion to make art more accessible to more people. Her focus is to offer art as an “artcessory” rather than as an investment, offering limited edition prints by a range of amazing emerging and often also established illustrators, printmakers, collagists and photographers.

Here we talk about her journey from leaving her job in a corporate world and launching her business into an industry she previously had no experience in.

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by Chloe McCarrick - “Phone Phase”

How did you get into the world of art?

There is no better way of putting it than that I fell into it two years ago. Back in Autumn 2014 I was working as a creative strategist for some of the world’s most loved brands.

While this was a career I had consciously chosen and carefully crafted ever since graduating from a business school, I was getting increasingly itchy to break free of the corporate world and start something of my own.

The opportunity presented itself in the form of Start Up Weekend Art hackathon and despite any formal education or background in art, I didn’t think twice before applying and putting my idea of turning London coffee shops into independent galleries forward. This then became ArtSnug v1.0 and the beginning of my journey into learning the nooks and crannies of the art world and how to build a sustainable business.

What is your mission with ArtSnug?

Buying artwork can often be an intimidating experience - not only you do have to know where to look and have time for it, but also you are often left feeling like you should have some insider’s knowledge of what’s good and what’s not.

With ArtSnug I wanted to do things differently, which is why my mission from day 1 has been to make art more accessible to more people – both in terms of how they see it as well as how they find and buy it.

Originally with exhibitions in coffee shops and now with pop-up shops in corporate offices in London, ArtSnug is bringing art to people in environments where they are in charge and don’t feel pressured to make the “right” decision.

Why is art important to you and how can we inject art into our homes that doesn’t cost the earth?

To me, art has always been the secret ingredient that makes a house a home. It is also probably the easiest (and often the cheapest) way to give your home a refresh.

The golden rule to keep artcessorising your home fun and affordable is to treat it as an ongoing process rather than a mission.

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Above: “Mallard Hen Feathers” by Chloe McCarrick | Next page: “Twisted Love”, “Twist The Light”, “Ring of Roses”, “Golden Lips” all by Andrew J Miller

GALLERY WALLS Let your wall tell a story: gallery walls are not as complicated as they may seem – pick a theme and an initial 3 – 4 artworks and add more as and when you find something that you feel fits in.

PROPORTIONS WITH ART Two is better than one: finding large format, affordable statement artwork sometimes may feel like a mission impossible. A great alternative is to choose 2 – 3 smaller pieces by the same artist.

How do you find and select the artists you represent? Have you got particular criteria you follow?

The search for new artists is something that always runs in the background of everything else that I do and the sources range from art fairs and craft markets to online galleries and social media.

When selecting artists to work with the only two criteria that I religiously follow are whether the artist’s work instantly caught my eye and whether I think it would fit into the mix of artists I already work with. I am purposefully trying to keep the mix as eclectic as possible, avoiding duplication of styles and approaches.

Who are your three favourite artists and what so unique about them?

LAUREN MORTIMER Lauren is the first ever artist I worked with, when back in 2014 we organised an exhibition of her amazing pencil illustrations in Haggerston’s Curio Cabal. She is a pencil wizard with a fantastic sense of humour whose work never ceases to amaze and humour me.

ANDREW J MILLAR Back in Spring 2015 I had seen Andrew’s polaroid collages online but I was completely blown away when I saw them in real life at Moniker Art Fair – they were so tiny and nothing like I had ever seen before! And then there was this rich and heavy film noir magic oozing from them. I instantly fell in love with his work and never fell out of love again!

CHLOE MCCARRICK Chloe is probably the most versatile artist I’ve ever met and had the opportunity to work with. Not only is she a fantastic illustrator, collagist and photographer, she also builds her own pinhole cameras, develops her photographs onto 50-year-old paper, experiments with photograms and mixes screen-printing with stenciling.

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by Chloe McCarrick - “Main De Temps”

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What kind of art have you got in your home?

Having just finished redecorating our home we are at the very beginning of the journey of artcessorising it. It is exciting but also overwhelming, so I will definitely take my time and approach it as a process rather than a mission.

I do, however, have a bit of a head start with a few pieces we inherited from our previous place, including Brendan Dawe’s really cool Back To the Future Cinema Redux, a couple of Lauren Mortimer’s illustrations and one of Cassandra Yap’s kinky letters. I’m really looking forward to adding a few of Andrew’s golden polaroids and turning one of my hallway walls into a botanical heaven.

What can we expect from ArtSnug in the future?

If this has been the year of figuring out what ArtSnug v0.2 was, next year is all about growing the business. So you definitely can expect to see ArtSnug pop-up shops cropping up around many more offices in London.

In addition to this, I am also working on a side project that would see stretching collaboration with ArtSnug artists into a different territory of artcessorising homes.

So all in all I am very excited about what future holds for ArtSnug and me.

ABOUT ARTSNUG ArtSnug currently works with more than 30 fascinating independent and emerging artists and with prices starting as low as £25 there is something for everyone - be it a Londonphile, film buff, botanist, pet lover, foodie, urban explorer, photographer, or fashionista!

Please visit Elina’s website for latest artists’s work additions, pop up event information and to make a purchase.

artsnug.com IG @artsnug

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FASHION “Because fashion can be purposeful.”

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shopping

research and graphics by Emilia Vespoli

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1. Jasmine & Bergamot Scented Candle, HENRI BENDEL | 2. Palio Espresso Cups & Saucer, OKA | 3. Striped Multi-Coloured Silk Scarf, VIA SAN VITO | 4. Salvatore Ferragamo Striped Wool Skirt, MY THERESA | 5. Striped Box Clutch, MILLY | 6. Rockafella Black & White Wallpaper, GRAHAM & BROWN | 7. Missoni Home Jacarda Cylindrical Pouf, AMARA

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viasanvito.com

IG @via_san_vito

fashi on ¡ emer ging designers

Little treasures

DISCOVERED

words, styling and photography by Karolina Barnes

fashi o n ¡ emer ging designers

Juno necklace

Le Reve earrings

fashion ¡ disc ov ered

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fashi o n · emer ging designers

Every picture tells a story....

JEWELLERY STORY The Juno necklace is a handmade statement piece created from uniquely wrapped gold wire. It is part of a beautiful collection designed by Black & Sigi. Easily mixed and matched with other statement pieces; being pendant earrings or bangles.

Available at www.blackandsigi.com.

The Le Rêve earrings are part of a collection that explores movement, suspension and light through the interaction of gold and the rich Lapiz Lazuli, Malachite and Tiger’s Eye. The collection also includes necklaces and a bracelet. Wear as individual pieces to add a level of minimal sophistication to your outfit or as a set for a more dramatic look. Available at www.salomedesigns.co.uk.

SCARF STORY The Mouse in the Underground beautiful 100% silk scarf is designed in house by Sophie Thompson at Terrarium and is inspired by the plants and creatures of the forest floor. Available at www.terrariumdesigns.co.uk.

MINI BAG STORY Marlow London’s "This Bag" collection is inspired by the disclaimer labels attached to luxury goods. The disclaimer front-feature and unique barcode on the bag’s gusset are intricately laser-cut. This Bag is handmade in the UK using the highest quality vegetable tanned calf-leather and metal components sourced from Italy.

Vegetable-tanned leather is made without any synthetic coatings and therefore may scratch easily. This adds to its individuality. Available at www.marlowlondon.com.

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Emilio de la Morena SS17 estila 56

fashi o n · designer c ollec tion

CANDY EXPLOSION words by Flavia Young, images provided by Emilio de la Morena

As a personal friend of Emilio de La Morena, I feel very privileged to be privy to Emilio’s nothing short of genius creative process and craftsmanship development when putting together a collection.

As some of you may know, this is no simple task, considering designers are expected to create anything between 4 to 6 collections a year-in these days of fashion immediacy.

A pressing timetable for most professionals, but one that is undoubtedly even more so to the creative fashion professional, as unlike say, a book author, who may be allowed extra time to develop ideas when writer’s block strikes, fashion designers are not afforded such luxuries.

Collections just simply have to be shown at specific times on the fashion calendar and the forthcoming production comply with specific delivery dates.

Last September at London Fashion Week, I had the privilege to be invited backstage to document and witness first hand the incredible amount of mental and physical work that a perfectionist like Emilio puts in in order to produce collections that meet the perfect balance between fantasy and commerciality.

For this designer, sending out just any dresses on the runway is simply not an option.

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The SS17 collection exemplifies just that. The fastidious attention to detail is evident in every luxurious piece. From dreamy, yet elegant dresses that flatter, to completely re-worked silhouettes inspired by a combination of Emilio’s Spanish roots - in the abundant use of colourful ruffles and the frivolous 80’s with its puffer sleeves and strong shoulders.

These designs were then masterfully coloured in rich summer palettes that were juxtapositional to the softer pastels, creating a collection that is as out of the ordinary as it is covetable.

The collection will be available at matchesfashion.com from March 2017.

Flavia xx luxe-layers.com

IG @luxe_layers

fashion · business

Building A Business With Purpose words by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Alida Boer

Developing a business model that empowers women as its primary purpose in fashion accessory industry is something of a rarity; something I don’t hear about very often. So when I heard about Alida Boer and her recently launched handbag collection of bold and colourful totes, bucket and clutch bags, I had to find out more.

I met up with Alida at the beautifully glamorous Westbury Hotel in Mayfair, London where she told me everything about Maria’s - her accessory label. Alida’s introduction to the fashion world started from a young age. “As a model I was always travelling and checking in on trends but I was always inspired by textiles locally produced in Guatemala.”

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fashion · business While representing her native country as a former Miss Guatemala, she was supporting social causes and projects, and devising a business model that could empower women from every social class. On one of her trips to London she wore a shirt that had been given to her by local women, featuring the huipil fabric, which everyone seemed to love. On her way back she thought about the best way to showcase the complex and colourful design of huipil and how she could make it available to women across the world. A handbag came to mind and that’s how Maria’s was born.

Guatemala has the biggest textile heritage in whole of Latin America that is deeply rooted in a 1000-year-old tradition passed on through generations. Huipil is the upper shirt of the Mayan garment, which is like the identity of the person. Each pattern tells a story about the woman who wears it. Through huipil you can see where a woman is from (each region has its own, very distinctive design), whether she’s married or not and which family she belongs to. It’s like a personal diary, full of meaning. For a woman, it’s a way of showcasing not only what they are about but also her creativity and strong cultural heritage. She wears it with pride.

But it’s not only the pattern design itself that plays an important role. Colours are also vital. Culturally, colour is seen like a language. It has different meanings yellow represents corn and red represents blood. Each region has its own. With Maria’s, Alida is helping to keep this special tradition alive.

Alida started with only three women, who happened to all be named Maria, based in a remote town called Pastores. They were all experienced and educated in the art of sewing, embroidery and design. While being assisted by professional accessory designers, they created the first Maria’s bag featuring the finest details and a high quality finish.

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fashion · business

Maria’s is more than a luxury handbag. And even though the leather and hardware is sourced and imported from Italy, the production of each bag is done in Guatemala.

Each detail is made by female artists, who have been trained up by the very first women that Alida started to work with. No two bags are the same. Each brightly coloured textile is done by hand and can take up to six months to create, making it a truly bespoke piece with a “soul”.

Today, Maria’s has over 500 women weaving in their homes while they look after their children. These women feel empowered by not only their financial independence, but also by what they create and the community they are part of. They are proud to be involved in Maria’s bag making. Alida told me that some of them are very shy and insecure at the beginning, but now most of them feel confident and secure in themselves. She said: “At the end of the day, women are the core of the family, of our society. It’s great to see such changes because women are key in a society.”

Alida often travels and visits these women personally. They also visit the headquarters, which keeps Alida in touch with them. Since the start, almost five years ago, she has noticed a big improvement in their lives. They seems much happier about the future.

Alida has also been contributing and helping them with their children’s schooling to ensure that they have a proper education. “A good education means a lot to these families.

Not only does it change the child’s life, it also influences their parents, friends and next generation”, she said.

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fashion · business

I asked Alida what she would say to women who are thinking about the idea of setting up a business with a purpose and she gave me the following advice: 1. CHALLENGE YOURSELF Think outside the box and see how you can create a business based on helping others. In a competitive market that will help you to set yourself apart from the rest.

2. BECOME A LEADER OF YOUR COMMUNITY Be fully engaged with people who help you with your project. Speak to them and ask them questions. Be interested in them and learn everything you can from them. Great communities are built on word of mouth.

And, what’s the future like for Maria’s?

Alida says: “ I want to bring the bags to every major fashion city and to all the great boutiques around the world. This will help us to keep on empowering the women who make them while saving the legacy for future generations.”

To see the full collection of Maria’s clutches, handbags, travel bags and accessories, please head over to mariasbag.co.uk. Exclusively distributed in the United Kingdom by Madison Plaza Ltd. You can follow Alida on Instagram @mariasbag.

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fashi on · designer spotlight

Sarah Bond interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Sarah Bond

Born in London, British-Lebanese designer Sarah Bond spent her formative years in Sierra Leone and Lebanon. Returning to London to pursue a successful career in finance, Sarah continually felt her lifelong creative calling for fashion and couture.

Leaving her desk job behind, she earned a foundational degree in Art & Design from Wimbledon School of Art before studying Womenswear Fashion at Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication.

After gaining experience while working for Katherine Hamnett, Roland Mouret and Savile Row’s tailor Chris Flourentzou, she launched her collection of bespoke womenswear that is all about a new form of elegance – strong, feminine, flattering, with the aim of maintaining design relevance for decades to come.

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fashi on · designer spotlight

What does style mean to you?

For me, style is an expression of one’s personal aesthetics. It transcends trends and reflects the individual’s natural gravitation towards certain elements. It is what makes each person unique.

We believe that confidence comes when you find your own style. How did you find yours?

It was always there, since my teenage years, although I was not aware of it at the time. I have always gravitated towards simplicity and timeless elegance with a twist.

For me, I appreciate the eye travelling towards one particular detail and pondering its characteristics, its beauty, reflecting upon a part of the designer’s spirit.

Details are little secrets that unfold the more you observe them – known only to those with a discerning eye.

What is your mission with Sarah Bond as a brand?

Sarah Bond is about clean lines, bold statement pieces and a modern aesthetic that features colour blocking as a core part of the brand's DNA. It represents a new form of elegance, encapsulating a style that is at once both familiar and innovative, working sensually yet in powerful harmony with the female form.

Even though I have been predominantely focusing on womenswear, my ultimate goal is to create a lifestyle brand with accessories and menswear as the next steps.

I have already started experimenting with a corset belt accessory. So far, the press and client feedback has been great. So watch this space!

“Clean lines, bold statement pieces and colour blocking of modern aesthetic is what Sarah Bond is about.”

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Building on her “In Praise of Shadows� collection, Sarah explores the myth of the Goddess Marici; revered

by Samurai and invoked at sunrise to achieve victory before going into battle. Marici means light or mirage.

Waist cinching and figure flattering, the adjustable Marici corset belt is made from structured neoprene with leather corset lacing. It is designed to be worn in two ways, ensuring a play on silhouette, whilst beautifully accessorising a variety of garment shapes.

We often feature women who change their careers and start their own businesses in the fashion industry. What would be your four top tips for anyone thinking about starting a business in the fashion world?

1.

LEARN HOW THE INDUSTRY WORKS First and foremost, learn about how the industry works – from getting a bird’s eye view of the industry to design and product development, manufacturing to marketing etc.

2.

TARGET MARKET KNOWLEDGE Really understand your target market. I cannot stress the importance of knowing your customer and the woman you want to dress. What does she look like? What does she do for a living? Where does she go on holidays? What does she like to wear? Where does she shop? What hobbies is she into?

3.

MENTORSHIP Get a mentor from within the industry. I think having someone by your side, who has already experienced the journey you are about to go on, gives you a big advantage and can speed up some of your processes.

For more information and to view Sarah's latest collections, please visit the official website at sarah-bond.com. Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahbondlondon.

BEAUTY “Well-hydrated lips with a hint of colour are much more forgiving.”

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be auty · tried & tested

Winter Brighteners words and photography by Nicola McCullough

Feeling a little lacklustre post-party season? Most of us could use a little get up and glow after stashing the sparkle and sequins for another year. With the right products, we can be reunited with radiant skin and glossy hair in minutes.

SKIN The closest I’ve found to a facial in a jar, Oskia Renaissance Mask helps brighten dull and congested post-party skin, leaving it feeling smoother and looking more refined. Fruit AHAs exfoliate dead surface skin cells while papaya enzymes unclog pores and lactic acid boosts cell turnover. For glowing limbs, try Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse dry body oil... worth it for the divine scent alone.

HAIR Heat styling on repeat can leave locks looking dull and dehydrated. Get glossy again with a nourishing hair mask like Alfaparf Precious Nature, with 100% natural ingredients. I’ve been using Prickly Pear & Orange, which smells out of this world and leaves my hair weightlessly soft.

MAKE-UP “Fake it til you make it” is a completely acceptable philosophy for a parched, winter-weary face. Instant glow givers include radiance primer, luminous blush and a juicy lip balm or gloss.

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be auty ¡ tried & tested

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer is my go-to instant wake-up call, aka 8 hours sleep in a tube. I wear this under make-up, mixed with foundation or patted on upper cheekbones to add a skin-like (crucially non glittery) glow.

Cream blush can often be more forgiving than powder for glowing cheeks...

Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm and Studio 10 Plumping Blush Glow-plexion are particularly good. Powder fans should try a formula with subtle sheen like Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks ...Pastel Pink adds a soft flush of colour to my pale skin.

Well-hydrated lips with a hint of colour are much more forgiving than bold mattes for everyday wear. Pixi Lip Lift Max in Sheer Rose gives a plump, juicy pout with just enough colour to add natural polish, while Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint adds a balmy just-bitten stain that blends in with your natural lip colour.

strawberryblondebeauty.com

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IG @strawbryblondebeauty

The Black Rose Beauty words and photography by Karla Cihak

Get instantly younger looking skin with Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask. I use it twice a week for 10 - 15 min or instead of a night cream for extra boost. I also recommend Chanel's Tendre nourishing cream, or body milk from the same range, for extra smooth and deeply nourishing experience. Formulated for the pleasure of your skin, they both consist of fatty acid esters for softness and suppleness, starch powder for a silky, non-oily, velvety finish, a blend of amino acids and a sugar derivative for moisturising care, and a Vitamin E derivative to fight free radicals.

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beauty ¡ business

Grace Fodor interview by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by Grace Fodor

Grace Fodor is a serial entrepreneur and a brand expert. She started her successful career in marketing and PR when she co-founded an agency, which within its first five years was acquired by global marketing giant, Omnicom. Grace then went into brand consulting and through a research project she did for Boots, she got into the beauty world co-founding Jemma Kidd Make Up. After gaining experience and knowledge of the market, in 2014 she launched Studio 10, a make-up line designed for women as they age. This innovative range of age correcting and skin perfecting make-up essentials is aimed at women who want to look more youthful without using surgery or fillers.

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beauty ¡ business

How did you get to where you are now?

I started out as an entrepreneur at 27, growing Fodor Wylie into a very successful marketing and communication agency. When I sold the business, I was looking for a new challenge and was engaged by Boots to do a research project, which led to my understanding and love for the make-up marketplace. From there I built and ran a beauty brand for a well-known make-up artist until finally, the idea for my own range came to me and I knew I had to give it a go.

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I went back to my research roots, working around what I knew of beauty and being an older woman, and speaking to those with an understanding of the emotional, psychological process of choosing and using beauty, along with hundreds of women – getting honest views and a deep understanding of the market. The result was STUDIO 10, which is my passion.

I’d reached a point in my life where I was looking for a make-up range designed for women as they age. I needed more than products with just added anti-ageing ingredients, but that specifically correct, cover and combat the signs of ageing.

“I felt that cosmetics weren’t changing with women’s skin, or tackling the issues that older women face and that we needed a new generation of tailor-made products.”

What is your mission with Studio 10?

I’d been working in the beauty industry for over a decade and I had become increasingly frustrated with the approach of the cosmetic industry to the make-up needs of older women. I felt that cosmetics weren’t changing with women’s skin, or tackling the issues that older women face and that we needed a new generation of tailor-made products. I wanted a range that did a “job of work” for me!

Studio 10 products are designed for changing and ageing skin. What are the benefits of Studio 10 products?

All the products in the range are created to be the solution to specific skin concerns.

From dull skin, to re-sculpting lost definition, we have created easy-to-use make-up with active ingredients that nourishes and cares for the skin while you wear it.

What was your biggest challenge when setting up Studio 10?

Managing how fast we’ve grown! Studio 10 isn’t even two years old and in that time we have expanded massively, in terms of our product range, stockists and across the world.

Managing that process has meant a lot of adjustments and a need to be pro-active in dealing with each challenge as it arises. It’s a pretty amazing place to be though, so I can’t say I’m complaining!

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How did you overcome the fear of failure and any insecurities you had?

I’ve faced failures in business, and had to pick myself back up so I know it isn’t easy, but the failure is never what defines you – it’s how you handle it that makes the big difference.

If you look at any successful individual, they’ve all faced setbacks and just refused to give in. Be tenacious and decide what you want to do, then do it. The only limits you have are the ones you set on yourself.

What would you say has been the biggest lesson in your business that you have learnt overall?

I’d definitely say ‘be flexible’. It’s great to have a plan and a goal in mind but don’t let that focus leave you closed to opportunities for your business. Things can change very quickly; new research comes up all the time and you need to be ready to respond to that instantly.

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about setting up a business in the beauty industry?

RESEARCH Be ready to research, research, research. If you want to do it, you must know your target market inside out.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FEEDBACK Also, get to love social media. It’s an amazing way to chat with influencers and customers and hear first-hand what your audience thinks of your product.

“Failure is never what defines you - it’s how you handle it that makes the big difference.”

For more information and to make a purchase, please visit the official website at studio10beauty.com. Follow Studio 10 on Instagram @studio10beauty.

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TRAVEL / FOOD “A place where a contemporary look meets the original Modernisme.”

Exploring Barcelona words by Karolina Barnes, photography provided by El Palauet

EL PALAUET IN BARCELONA If you are planning a trip to Barcelona, El Palauet is the place to stay. It is an exclusive boutique hotel located on Barcelona’s celebrated Passeig de Gracia. El Palauet, which in Catalan means "small palace", is a five-storey mansion, built in the sumptuous Catalan style of Modernisme, a branch of Art Nouveau and a style for which Barcelona is world-renowned.

The hotel is made up of six spacious apartment-style suites which each contain a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room, living room, contemporary dĂŠcor and state-ofthe-art technology. On each floor there are two suites, which equally capture the spirit of Barcelona, offering the comfort, feeling, and familiarity of home with highly personalized guest services and on-call personal assistants.

For wellness aficionados, the rooftop terrace and private spa offer guests the utmost privacy.

t rav el · barc elona

The spa features a wooden Finnish sauna, massage tables, treatment rooms, a solarium for taking sun, and an outdoor salt-water Jacuzzi replete with hydromassage beds. The hotel is closed to the public offering guests privacy and an exclusive experience.

Passeig de Gracia, upon which El Palauet is proud to reside, is a beautiful treelined avenue, home to the city’s main shopping parade and numerous high-quality restaurants, including Bar Mut, a fantastic tapas bar with secret club, Club Mutis, above it and the Botafumeiro, a classic Barcelona eatery specialising in seafood.

The hotel is also located within close proximity of all of Barcelona’s key landmarks including the Pedrera, Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia. It is also within walking distance to the seafront and Barcelona’s beautiful beaches.

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DO Visiting Barcelona is an exciting experience. This modern, cosmopolitan city is located between the sea and the mountains, making it a perfect destination for all year round. The variety of artistic treasures, the Romanesque churches and the great names in modern art and architecture cater for every interest. Here are 3 hotspots, you should visit:

Hospital de Sant Pau Whilst everyone heads to Gaudí’s monuments (and rightly so) El Palauet recommends a trip to the recently renovated Hospital de Sant Pau. Revolutionary when it was built at the turn of the 20th Century, the building features incredible Modernist architecture by Lluía Domènech I Muntaner. santpubarcelona.org

Bunkers del Carmel For the most stunning views and photo opportunities across the city head to the Bunkers del Carmel. During the Spanish Civil War it was the site of several bunkers and anti-aircraft guns. irbarcelona.org

El Call Lose yourself in the streets of El Call in the Gothic Quarter. This area is the former Jewish quarter of the city before the final expulsion of the Jewish people from Spain in 1492. You can visit the site of the Ancient Synagogue and the Barcelona History Museum explains more about the history of El Call. museuhistoria.bcn.cat

For more information and to make a booking, please visit the official website at elpalauet.com. Follow El Palauet on Instagram @el_palauet.

healthy rec ipe

READY IN 35 MIN

sesame & soy glazed salmon with crispy kale words and photography by Ellen Stanton

Say goodbye to those stodgy shop bought stir fries and add some excitement to your weekly dinner with this gorgeously glazed salmon. I adore the combination of the oriental flavours and the scattering of crispy kale, which adds an extra layer of texture to the dish. Here I have chosen a selection of my favourite vegetables but let’s be honest, we’re all busy during the week, so I make do with whatever is in the fridge. That’s the beauty of a stir fry – make it your own! This is the perfect dish if you fancy a light weekday meal full of nutritious vegetables, however feel free to bulk it up by adding noodles (soba noodles are my fave!).

ingredients 1 salmon fillet 2 tbsp sesame oil (plus extra for frying) 1 tbsp soy sauce 3cm piece of ginger sesame seeds 2 spring onions

1 carrot ½ red pepper 3 mini sweetcorns small handful of tenderstem broccoli handful of kale teriyaki sauce

method Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Prepare your marinade by mixing soy sauce, grated ginger and 1tbsp of the sesame oil in a bowl. Place the salmon fillets in an oven proof dish and pour over the marinade. Sprinkle some sesame seed on top and place it in the oven for 18-20 minutes until it’s cooked through.

In the meantime, prepare your vegetables by thinly slicing them. The carrots can be sliced into thin strips using a peeler. Scatter the kale on a baking tray and drizzle the remaining sesame oil over it, then place it in the oven for 6-8 minutes until it’s crispy. When your salmon is 5 minutes from being done, fry your vegetables on a high heat in some sesame oil.

Remove the salmon and kale from the oven. Lay a bed of vegetables in the serving bowl, top with the salmon fillet and the crispy kale. To complete the dish, drizzle over some teriyaki sauce. Serve and enjoy!

paleblueplate.com

IG @paleblueplate

MINDSET “What consumes your mind controls your life.”

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Snapshot of your life written by Sarah Jones

PART 1. “Finding clarity, passion and purpose” Igniting your senses to remember days that have past, wishes you had formerly made and thoughts you once had. The back-story of our lives makes us who we are today, and what we will be tomorrow. Inspire your mind and infuse your soul. Sit amongst your thoughts and let your imagination blossom, enabling you to dream about all your wonderful wishes and ambitions. To believe that anything is possible you just have to have a little faith and vision.

Be in touch with your feelings and don’t see them as a weakness, but instead as a strength, from which as an individual you can grow and learn. It’s okay when you need to open your heart and let the tears flow. Sometimes the wrong decisions in life take us to the right places. Letting go and listening to your heart is painful but vital. Being strong is about accepting and not hiding, so that the true you can shine through.

Sometimes life can feel like a dress rehearsal or even a first draft, but the truth is everyday counts. Each step you have taken has aided you along your journey and has enabled you to become the person that you belong to be. Never regret anything that has happened in your life, it cannot be changed, undone or forgotten. So take it as a lesson, learn from it and move on. Life can seem like a roadmap. When we are younger, we all set out our big life plan. It is not until we are older that we realise how difficult it is to follow that map, which we once thought was so perfect. Sometimes we just need to reflect and in making a few changes, we can create our own new destiny. There is no right or wrong way to live. I can’t promise the journey won’t get a little windier at times, and feel a touch dark, but with the road map, we can unveil our own unique journeys and open our eyes to the beauty that is life.

You have to just go out and embrace it.

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Successful people have roadmaps, a clear purpose that aligns their daily movements with their long term aspirations. But far too many of us steer away from thinking about our lives in these terms.

We are nearsighted, the future seems too far off and hazy to even consider. We focus on what we think we can control in our daily lives rather than what is coming down the road.

To start developing a meaningful life roadmap, you must first discover what truly motivates you, this is what drives your personal satisfaction. Finding your true motivation requires some serious soul-searching. But this effort will pay off. Life has many twists and turns, ups and downs. Sometimes we feel like we are on top of the world and sometimes we just feel completely lost. When things are great, life has awesome written all over it.

When life throws you a curve ball what do you do? Do you throw in the towel, curl up in a ball, kick and scream and be miserable? Or do you ‘recalculate’? My answer to you is the latter, however, it is perfectly normal and OK to feel sorry for yourself for a bit. When adversity strikes, whether it be financial, health, loss of a loved one, feeling unsatisfied in your work or home life, it can hit you like a bullet. You have the choice to reassess your life and change your actions to reach your “chosen destination”.

When you are travelling an unknown route I hope this helps you to your chosen destination. Let’s say you’re feeling unmotivated, unsure of yourself, aimless, can’t find your passion, directionless, and not clear on what your purpose in life is. You’re in good company — most people are in the same boat.

Now, there about a million things online telling you how to find your passion in life, and that’s a good thing. It’s a search worth undergoing. I’m not going to give you a foolproof method, or a 5-step method, nor share my passion manifesto with you today. I’m going to give you a one-step method. However, that one step is a doozy.

It’s simply this: learn to get outside your personal bubble. Your personal bubble is the small world you live in (we all have one), where you are the centre of the universe. You are concerned with your wellbeing, with not wanting to look bad, with succeeding in life, with your personal pleasure (good food, good music etc.).

This is the bubble we all live in most of the time, and people who say they don’t are trying to prove something.

1. In our bubble, we’re concerned with our pleasure and comfort, and trying not to be uncomfortable. This is why we don’t exercise, why we don’t only eat healthy food.

2. This fear of being uncomfortable is also why we get anxious at the thought of meeting strangers. It hampers our social lives, our love lives.

3. Because we don’t want to look bad, we are afraid of failing. So we don’t tackle tough things.

4. We procrastinate because of this fear of failing, this fear of discomfort.

5. When someone does or says something, we relate that event with how it affects us, and this can cause anger or pain or irritation.

6. We expect people to try to give us what we want, and when they don’t, we get frustrated or angry.

Actually, pretty much all our problems are caused by this bubble. Including the difficulty in finding our life purpose.

What happens when we get out of the bubble?

If we can learn to get outside this personal bubble, and see things from a less selfcentred approach, we can see some amazing things: 1. When someone says or does something, it’s not really about us, it’s about the pain or fear or confusion they’re feeling, or a desire they have. Not us.

2. When we have an urge for temporary pleasure (TV, social media, junk food), we can see that this urge is a simple passing physical sensation, and not the centre of the universe.

3. We can start to see that our personal desires are actually pretty trivial, and that there’s more to life than trying to meet our pleasures and shy from our discomfort.

There is more than our little fears. Including: the pain and suffering of other people, and compassion for them. Compassion for all living beings. Wanting to make the world better.

4. We can tie our daily actions, like learning about how our minds and bodies and habits work, or getting healthy, or creating something, not only to our personal satisfaction and success but to how they help others, how they make the lives of others better, how they might lessen the suffering of others.

We become less self-centred, and begin to have a wider view. Everything changes, from letting go of fear and anger and procrastination, to changing our habits and finding work that matters.

How to Get Out of the Bubble First, you must see when you’re stuck in the bubble. Whenever you’re angry, frustrated, irritated, fearful, anxious, procrastinating, feeling hurt, wishing people would be different … you’re in the bubble. These are signs. You are at the centre of your universe, and everything is relating to you and your feelings.

When you can’t stick to habits, or have a hard time with a diet, you’re in the bubble.

Your momentary pleasure is what matters in this bubble. Outside the bubble, they’re just little events (sensations of desire, urges) that can be let go of.

“You have to leave some doors open in what you want to do, close others and open new doors. By doing this, I have found a joy in writing which gives me creative satisfaction. Through sharing my story, I have exposed myself to a network of supportive people. Who knows where this path will take me, but for the moment I am embracing it and am happy to find out what destination it may lead me to”.

ABOUT SARAH Sarah Jones is the UK’s leading holistic lifestyle expert. Her clients include Lorraine Kelly and Anthea Turner among many others. Her motto is: “What consumes your mind controls your life.” For more information, please visit the official website at sarahjonesuk.com. Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahjonesuk

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK AND WIN

If you have enjoyed reading Volume 2. of ESTILA Magazine, please take a few minutes to complete our short survey for your chance to WIN A SHOPPING EXPERIENCE at a selection of small independent lifestyle brands and emerging British designers we work with and feature.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY SIMPLY BY VISITING ESTILA.CO/SURVEY.

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THE EDITOR’S BLACK BOOK At ESTILA, we are passionate about highlighting small, independent British lifestyle, interiors and fashion brands. I spend hours and hours visiting shows, pop-ups, boutiques, events, and scrolling through Instagram, to find inspiring and unique talent, creativity and innovation. These are the best ones at the top of my list, which I keep for my own personal reference.

Eight Hour Studio

INTERIORS

FASHION

ANNA-LISA SMITH

EIGHT HOUR STUDIO

www.anna-lisasmith.com

IG @annalisasmithuk

www.eighthourstudio.com IG @eighthourstudio

Anna-Lisa Smith is based on the principles of clean lines, beautiful materials and honest production methods. She uses the finest Merino wool to weave clean-lined interior pieces for the home in a range of gorgeous colours. All her work is woven and finished within 50 miles of her studio in West Yorkshire.

Eight Hour Studio is a luxury lifestyle brand creating luxe loungewear and resortwear. The garments are made using beautifully soft organic cotton and every piece is printed by hand. The collections are a unique combination of styles and prints that will stand out whether worn when relaxing at home, out and about or on the beach.

TOPOLOGY INTERIORS

HETTIE

Run by two designers Amy and Athina, Topology Interiors offer affordable, virtual interior design services. Their website is your bible to the affordable world of interiors featuring articles on latest products and interesting interviews.

As a family run business based in Warwickshire, Hettie is on a mission to make fresh, elegant and simple accessories that you'll want to keep forever. Their handbags and accessories are proudly designed and made in Britain.

LAUREN DICKINSON CLARKE

SALOME DESIGNS

www.laurendickinsonclarke.com

IG @laurendickinsonclarke

www.salomedesigns.co.uk

www.topologylondon.co.uk IG @topologyinteriors

Lauren's story is one of dreams and imagination. Her abstract "artware" collection comprises of imaginative visualisations, which humorously bring to life everyday objects with surreal and dreamlike scenarios. Her collectable fine bone china is made by hand in Stoke On Trent.

IG @spicerinteriors

Spicer Interiors is an interior design company that focuses on adding unusual pieces to a scheme. Tara, the founder, is on a mission create places of comfort and healing - a place you feel proud to begin your every day in. She loves using colours and textures to create the perfect cosy environment.

She also upcycles furniture, which can be found on her website.

IG @artsnug

Set up by Elina, ArtSnug's mission is to make art an artcessory rather than a luxury. Elina currently works with more than 30 fascinating independent and emerging artists offering something for everyone.

USE YOUR QR PHONE SCANNER & SCAN ME

To find out more about these beautiful brands, scan the QR code with your QR App.

IG @salome_designs

Newcastle based jewellery label Salome was founded by Kellie. Inspiration for her collections are found in Kellie's Louisiana roots along with art, architectural and natural references. Salome jewellery is made using semiprecious and precious stones, designed and handmade by Kellie herself.

www.blackandsigi.com

IG @black_and_sigi

Started by Clio and her sister, Black & Sigi is a contemporary handmade brand of stylish jewellery. Their ethos is simple; to create unique and beautiful pieces that will withstand the test of time.

ILLE DE COCOS www.illedecocos.com

ARTSNUG www.artsnug.com

IG @thehettiecompany

BLACK & SIGI

SPICER INTERIORS www.spicerinteriors.co.uk

www.hettie.co.uk

IG @illedecocos

Ille De Cocos is a chic, understated label inspired by the stunning and unspoiled Cocos Island and is a celebration of natural allure. The label uses the finest natural yarns including Merino wool, which is spun in Northern Italy and ultra soft Mongolian cashmere.

SARAH BOND www.sarah-bond.com

IG @sarahbondlondon

Made in Britain, from initial concept to final product, Sarah's ready-to-wear work to play luxury garments perform gender with a style that is at once both familiar and innovative, working sensually yet in powerful harmony with the female form.

FRAGRANCE

Tapas

FREE OFFER - Jo Loves Fragrance Tapas experience 42 Elizabeth Street reveals the first Jo Loves Fragrance Brasserie Bar. Designed to amuse your nose and scent your skin, join us in-store and enjoy a complimentary Fragrance Tapas experience.

Whether alone or with a friend, relax at the Fragrance Brasserie Bar and select your desired fragrances to create a personal plate of scented Tapas.

Bath Cologne is warmed within a tagine and released via a cloud of scented steam, Cleanser is shaken over ice and strained into a glass and Lotion is whipped and foamed before being swept gently onto your skin with a paintbrush. Guests are invited to phone and book an appointment in advance quoting ESTILA as reference. Head over to joloves.com for more details.

ESTILA MAGAZINE

Vol 2 / Issue 17 £6