Been there, Done that Islay Pickup
Been there, done that Volume I
Summer 2015
By Islay Pickup
Dedicated to my Grandfather who constantly provided me with inspiration, love and laughter.
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Contents Volume I
Summer 2015
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14
The Pier
Interview with Duvet Days
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22
Keepsakes
101
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28
Neighbours
Dressing up like Grandma
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32
34
True romance
Photobooth
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42
Illustrations by Hollie Peters
A day at the Beach
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50
Interview with Lucy Sparrow
The Cornershop
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60
Yearbook
Gym days
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72
Sister, Sister
The Way We Were
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Tea?
Fashion credits
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Flashing lights, screaming & laughing, The sea breeze, Loud music clouds my ears As the waltzer spins me.
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Duvet Days Remember the days of Barbie bed sheets and Power ranger pillow cases, well Duvet Days turns these un-wanted pieces into wearable fashion. We talk inspiration, the future and childhood memories with creator Emma White. Tell us a bit about your background?
What is home to you?
Well I grew up in Cheltenham, left school as soon as I could to go to art college. Had two amazing years at Stroud art college, I loved it there! Then went to university at the arts institute of Bournemouth to study fashion studies.
Home to me is somewhere you want to go after a long day, somewhere where you feel comfortable and drink countless cups of tea. Plus there has to be a cat.
It was here that I started to become a lot more aware of where clothes were made and how awful the clothes industry is, this pushed me to up-cycling.
My biggest inspiration is my family. I have a big family and they are all creative! Whether it’s painting, ceramics, music or illustration.
Straight after I worked as studio manager at Goodone, an amazing up-cycled womenswear brand. Nin and Clare my old bosses were really inspirational and still are! They were the ones who told me to go for it with Duvet Days.
What’s your biggest inspiration?
What does using duvet covers and pillowcases as a material mean to you? I’ve been up-cycling for 6/7 years now, I love to give something that I don’t wear or is damaged a new lease of life! The reason I use bedsheets now is that they are such big pieces to up-cycle, it means I can do more with them and they also tend to come in pretty amazing prints!
What’s your happiest childhood memory? Too many to choose! One is from Christmas when I got a Princess Jasmine outfit and made my brothers and my cousins act out Aladdin as a play. Your work is very nostalgic using duvet covers with prints particularly from the 90’s, is there anything special about this decade for you and your designs? Well I grew up in the 90s so it’s pretty nostalgic for me! I get 70s, 80s duvets too but 90s are what I tend to look for as I know they will attract other 90s kids. Plus they do tend to be in better condition!
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What inspired you to start making clothes from duvet covers? My old boss from Goodone gave me some Puma fabric which I made a pair of trousers from and for some reason it reminded me of a duvet cover! What are the plans for the future of Duvet days? For the summer lots of festivals and a lovely new website as well as a very exciting project with some very talented illustrators!
Keepsakes A childhood companion or a love letter from an ex, what do you hold dear? We complied momento’s some kept for months, some for years.
This necklace was gifted to me on my 21st birthday.
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My teddy Burt. Can’t remember how or when I got him but he hasn’t left my side ever since.
I got the book from my best friend as a birthday present and she said she knew I would do something great with it.
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I recieved this car money box for my Christening, its sort of been my lucky charm.
This love note from my ex is full of beautiful lyrics he wrote about me, before I caught him cheating...
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101 Knock Knock, who’s there? Postcards from residents of 101 across the U.K. tell us their happiest memory in their abode.
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Neighbours A stranger, a friend, a neighbour. We go behind closed doors on Brighton road to meet neighbours Paul and Alan. How long have you been neighbours? Paul- Since about 1991, yeah so roughly 23 years Alan- Feels like longer... What’s the happiest memory you’ve had under your roof? Paul- Christmas with the children and grandchildren I believe. See my kids weren’t born here so when I moved to this house they were older with their own children. I have many happy memories in this house but Christmas was always the most magical time. Alan- Having children.
What do you like most about the neighbourhood? Paul- I like the view and the neighbours, to be honest there’s not much to complain about. Everybody knows everybody, which is nice. Alan- I just like it full stop. Why did you move here? Alan- The house, we looked all over but we fell in love with the sea view. Paul- I used to live in London but it was too much for me, I wanted peace and quiet and this location offered that.
If you didn’t live here where would you live? Alan- Up north, I was born in Colne, Lancashire and would still be there if it wasn’t for meeting Fiona, my wife and re-locating. Paul- Probably in Derby, I lived with my daughter for years up there but here is where my heart is.
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What’s the most neighbourly thing you’ve ever done? Paul- Rose, my neighbour above had a water leak I turned off the water supply and fed her tea. Alan- As a glazier & a locksmith I help the neighbourhood out often with locks, doors and broken windows. Its my duty as a neighbour and a friend.
Put on her fur, Layer on the jewels Make yourself up, Dressing up like Grandma.
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True romance Edna & Alan equals true romance.
How did you & Grandad meet?
What do you think is the secret to your love?
We met at a tea dance. Alan was there with his brother Neil and I with a friend. It was a night where ladies ask the gentlemen to dance and I asked your Grandfather.
We just go well together, in every single way.
What did you do on your first date? We went to the Cinema, he walked through boots, where I worked and offered me a ticket. We saw African Queen.
How long have you been married? Since 1948, so 66 years. What do you think about growing old together? We don’t think about it!
How did Grandad propose?
Was Granddad a romantic?
He had the ring with him in a cafĂŠ in Doncaster.
He used to send me a big bouquet of carnations and roses, just like my wedding bouquet every year on our anniversary. Until I told him it was a waste of money.
Did he get down on one knee? No, No, No.
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Photobooth We asked the people of Brighton to step into our photobooth and tell all on what home is to them.
laughter.
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Picking flowers in the garden with my Sister.
My Mothers perfume.
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A Sunday roast.
Brighton is our home, always will be.
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Illustrations by Hollie Peters, inspired by Brighton beach.
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Ice cream running down my hand Melting in the heat, The waves softly kiss my toes The warmth of a towel wrapped Around my shoulder, Kicking, splashing, dancing in the sunshine.
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Lucy Sparrow Stepping into Lucy Sparrow’s knitted Corner-shop was like stepping back into the good old days. We dicuss with Lucy what her main inspirations were and why she creates her nostalgic art. Tell us a bit more about your background? I’ve been an artist all my life. After A-levels I took a BTEC in Art & Design at Bath College before going on to Bournemouth Arts Institute and University of West of England after that. Ever since then I’ve been developing my own style of felt sculpture. I’ve exhibited in many places but my main shows have always been in London. Britain really is a very creative place for artists. People love accessible art. I think some 11,000 people came to see the Corner-shop in London. It was overwhelming. What three words would you use to describe your work? Soft, cuddly & approachable.
Why did you choose to showcase your exhibit Cornershop-by-the-sea in Brighton as well as Bethnal Green? The owner of No Walls Gallery knew me from my time as an artist in Brighton. He contacted me and asked if I would consider bringing The Corner-shop to the seaside. How could I refuse? Brighton had given me a creative environment and I wanted to give something back. Providing a free exhibition was one way of doing that. Who would you say is your biggest inspiration? I love Tracey Emin, The Chapman Brothers, Damien Hirst and of course Grayson Perry.
What’s your favourite childhood memory?
What is home to you?
Going to the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare with my Grandad and buying soft cuddly toys on the pier. I think that’s what started me off with textile art.
Home is wherever I happen to be working. As long as I have my work around me I am happy.
In an interview with the BBC you talk about the corner shop being such a British representation of community, do you think its important to be part of your community & are you? I don’t know really. I’ve spent a lot of my adult life moving around. As a child I stayed in my home city of Bath and was firmly rooted in the community but I think to some extent artists are set slightly apart from the community. We are outsiders and observers of what is going on. I don’t think you necessarily need to be part of the community but you probably do need to observe it.
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I love a comfy atmosphere where I can spend time creating things. All I needed is material, a sewing machine and plenty of tea. That’s home, really. Your last exhibition was a huge success what have you got planned for next year? I’m hoping to do exhibitions in New York and Japan next year as well as a show in London. I’m still really busy with the fulfilling commissions from the Corner-shop but I will be putting something together for the second half of next year, it’s a secret for now.
Pink, blues and greens Sweets of every varitey, Bike on the corner, spend your pocket money.
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Yearbook What was your yearbook quote? We asked three people what they’ll be remembered for...
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The patter of feet on the cold floor, I plait my hair in the changing room, Rolling, tucking and balancing, The best day at school.
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Sister, Sister Having a Sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.
I usually tell her everything.
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Playing dress up together, because I was older I would always pick first and choose the princess dress.
We used to play what’s the time Mr wolf in the back garden for hours on end.
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She was just my little partner in crime we would keep each other’s secrets but annoy each other more than anyone else in the world.
For times when I’ve been down and struggling with things, she always there to tell me the truth.
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The way we were The past & present meet.
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Tea ? Alot of cups of tea were brewed during the making of Been there, done that; Volume one. We asked everyone that took part how they take their cuppa.
Islay Pickup- White, 1 & a half sugars. Juliet Blount- A dash of milk, no sugar. Emma White- Hot and strong- exactly how I like my men. Paul Johnston- No sugar, no milk. Alan Pickup- I drink coffee. Kelly Kirkness- Milk and no sugar. Edna McIntyre- White with one sugar. Hollie Peters- Milky. Laura James- Strong, no sugar. Lucy Sparrow- White no sugar. Zoe McArthur- Milk no sugar, preferably in a mug. Niamh Donoghue- Strong, with a wee bit of milk. Amy Robinson- I don’t do tea. Katherine Pickup- Strong, with 4 sugars. Olivia Warland- I drink herbal, so Green tea with mint. Alix Picken- Milky, one sugar. Colin Sheehan- White, no sugar. Francis Prior- Same. Fiona Pickup- I dont, I take coffee.
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Fashion credits
Pier, model Juliet Blount.
Dressing up with Grandma, model Kelly Kirkness.
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Page 29-30
Vintage GAP dungerees, Fleece top by Never Monday, Converse from Snoopers paradise.
Silk bra & matching underwear by Topshop, tights also Topshop, vintage fur coat, Jewellery is provided by Islay Pickup Family hierlooms or vintage.
Page 10 White fluufy crop by Never Monday, Lion kind upcycled trousers from Duvet days.
Page 31 Same as previous with pink vintage nightgown.
Vintage Angora cardigan.
A day at the beach, model Laura James.
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Page 43
Green silk vintage dress.
Black swimsuit by Asos
Vintage GAP dungerees, AS IF tee by Never Monday.
Page 44-45
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Crochet swimsuit handmade from Etsy designer CrochetQueen, White t-shirt by Topman.
E.T 2 piece by Duvet days Page 13 White fluffy crop as before. Dungerees and fleece top as before.
Page 46 White swimsuit by Asos, yellow shirt from Rokit vintage, Camden.
The Cornershop, Model Charlotte Roberts.
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Page 51
Red nike sports top from Glasgow thrift store, white netted top from Asos, white leather shorts from Beyond retro.
Vintage Levi’s denim jacket, acid wash skirt from Rokit vintage Camden, socks by Topshop, heart sunglasses from Ebay, Converse are models own.
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Page 52
Top frm Glasgow thrift store, white shorts, trainers and socks as previous.
Vintage dungerees stylists own, fluffy crop top Primark.
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Sequin jacket from Isolated Heroes.
90’s sports vest from Beyond retro.
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The Way We Were, Models Francis Prior, Colin Sheenan and Fiona Pickup.
Pink Mohair vest from Asos, ribbed crop top from Beyond retro.
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White t-shirt by Topman, lace trim vintage.
Yellow shirt from Rokit vintage, Camden and Sequin jacket as before.
Page 74 White polo shirt by Lacoste.
Gym day, Model Zoe McArthur.
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Page 61
Black jumper stylists own.
Vintage Adidas shorts from Glasgow thrift store, Burgandy leotard from Asos, socks from American apparel, trainers are models own. Page 62 Adidas shorts as previous, White top from Glasgow thrift store, Adidas hoodie stylists own.
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