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THE GEORGE & DRAGON SPECIAL EDITION NO.1 // SUMMER 2013

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR//

Welcome to Issue One! LAYER is a celebration of all things creative and London-related. Published four times a year, ZH DLP WR VKDUH ZKDW ZH WKLQN PDNHV /RQGRQ PDJQLÀFHQW IURP D XQLTXH DQG LQWHUHVWLQJ SHUspective, investigating niche tribes throughout the city. Covering everything from art and design to culture, entertainment and style LAYER captures the spirit of London and the endless abyss of subcultures and tribes that occupy its vastness. In this issue, we focus on the newest generation of creatives from The George & Dragon, a kitsch east London bar that arguably seconds as an underground creative agency. Brewing with miraculous talent and collaborative spirits, from designers to editors and musicians, The George & Dragon is the creative pulse of London. We quiz Assistant Manager of The George & Dragon and Fashion Assistant of Ponystep Rob Gardner about his London addictions, inYHVWLJDWH WKH ULYHWLQJ GUDJ FXOWXUH ZLWKLQ WKH EDUҋV GHFD\LQJ ZDOOV DQG ÀQG RXW MXVW ZKRP WKHVH new creative forces are and what make their personal style and attributes so unique. We hope you enjoy this journey of discovery with us! Kelley Mullarkey Editor

EDITOR// KELLEY MULLARKEY ART DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER// REBECCA STOREY CREATIVE DIRECTOR// CAROLINE KILDEBO _____________________________________ COVER PICTURE// Photographer: Pernille Kjexrud Model: Emily England Stylist: Caroline Kildebo Make-up: Aase Larsson PUBLISHER// London College of Fashion

________________________________ WEBSITE// layermagazine.wordpress.com

DISTRIBUTION// LAYER is distributed in London throughout art and design bookstores, newstands, selected boutiques and department stores.

If you would like to know more about distributing /$<(5 LQ \RXU VWRUH RU FDQҋW ÀQG LW LQ \RXU FRXQWU\ please write to info@layermagazine.com ________________________________________ ADVERTISING// For advertising and special project opportunities please write to advertising@layermagazine.com ________________________________________ LONDON OFFICE// 21 Kensington Gate, London W85NA

IN THIS ISSUE// THE GEORGE & DRAGON EDITION

1.THE GEORGE & DRAGON/ HISTORY, MUSIC & DRINKS. BY REBECCA STOREY 2. ITS’S NOT JUST BLACK AND WHITE// BY CAROLINE KILDEBO 3.THE LIFE OF OBJECTS// BY CAROLINE KILDEBO 4.DRUNK ON CLOTHES// BY KELLEY MULLARKEY 5.ADDICTED// BY CAROLINE KILDEBO 6.INHABITANTS OF THE LAYER//

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WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA STOREY//

An insider look at what to expect on tap and on the sound waves at The George & Dragon

.

Whether it’s a chilled drink on tap you’re after, or a lively night fuelled by only the most hipster DJ’s, the unaffected crowd, melting pot of fashionistas, exhibitionists, London gays, East end dandies and stylish couples are sure to welcome you into their local treasured territory. The coolest bit - Despite the fact The George & Dragon hauls in the likes Boy George, Wolfgang Tillmans, Rupert Everett, Jarvis Cocker and the late Alexander McQueen, the corner hub of ‘London’s club kids’ still remains one of the most humble in it’s area.

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“I just wanted it to be a pubâ€? – Quoted by the eccentric peroxide blonde Richard Battye, who took over The George & Dragon in the summer of 2002. This vision it seems is a far cry from the growing sub culture that lives within the humble Hackney corner pub today. With funding from his parents, the part time drag queen who moved to south London with intentions of acting and writing, managed to transform the near dereliction grubby boozer into a vibrant arts installation of anything and everything from his late great-grandmother’s antiques to vintage wall hangings and Chinese masks that adorn its original fag-stained walls. The bizarre make over by Battye has resulted LQ DQ RYHUĂ RZLQJ FURZG RI XQLTXH IDVKionable and exceedingly loyal George & Dragon regular’s who thrive from the vibes of their cherished social spot where Tranny DJs spin unashamedly trashy pop. With its animated energy, budding assemEO\ RI WKH WRZQV Ă€QHVW IDVKLRQLVWDŇ‹V DQG worshiped line up of entertainment; it’s safe to say Richards compelling charm and enthusiasm has worked its magic within the four walls of The George & Dragon.

HISTORY

BEATS

Racking in second to none DJ’s for weekly events, The George & Dragon is the place to go if you’re down for a boogie. The small and cozy one room pub turns into an old school party haven when the hipsters hear the DJ spinning his wicked supply of vinyl retro gems and cool oldies from the last four decades. For those nights when a DJ’s beats are not emitting onto all four walls, the CD jukebox takes over, knocking out both retro and electric mixes, perfect for kick starting an East London all-nighter. Whether it’s Aretha’s ‘Tears for Queers’ sensational house party mix that pushes your buttons, or Richard Mortimer, who regularly calls in to play ŇŠ V *HUPDQ HOHFWUR \RXU ERXQG WR Ă€QG D '- event at The G&D that will get you groovin’ till the a.m.

Typical of any London hotspot on any given night are queues, whether it be for the entrance, the bar, or the toilet (usually in that order). However, untypical of any other London pub is the patience of The George & Dragon hipsters, waiting so carelessly in those queues. Why? Well when you have a mechanical horse head chewing cud, a downtown Shanghai funfair stall at the rear of the eccentric, dancing and singing bar staff, and a crowd worthy of people watching; the queue over the spit, beer and sawdust coated bar is irrelevant. Once at the front of the queue, the mostly funny, occasionally offensive bar men will hit you up with a drinks menu that focus’s on economy over style. For the laidback lot, an array of international beer is on tap, with pints of Moretti, Frßli, Sagres and Amstel served in plastic pints proving popular. Meanwhile the dandies and skinny jean wearing gays prefer stick to mixers, wine and bottled beverages. And for the calorie conscious fashionistas, the bar man’s most commonly whipped up beverage is without a doubt the slim line G&T, served VR VSHFLÀFDOO\ WKDW LW DOORZV WKHP WR VLS DZD\ ZLWKRXW WKH JXLOW RI ÀOOLQJ RXW WKHLU GHVLJQHU VNLQQ\ MHDQV 7KDW is until Tuesday’s of course – when two dangerously strong margaritas are sold for £5.

DRINKS

IT’S NOT JUST BLACK AND WHITE// EDITORIAL AND ARTICLE BY CAROLINE KILDEBO // GRAPHICS BY REBECCA STOREY There’s no secret that East London has always been a melting pot for creativeness, originality and outsiders. The central gathering hub of all of this has long been The George & Dragon. $OWKRXJK WKHUH DUH DOO NLQGV RI GLIIHUHQW SHRSOH GDQFLQJ DURXQG RQ WKH VWLFN\ ZRRGHQ Ă RRUV night after night, there always has to be a dancing queen (or ten). The George & Dragon is a favourite spot in the gay community, but it’s prominently embraced by drag queens. “There are always people hanging around here, particularly quite hilarious drag queens, which are always good fun,â€? said The George & Dragon Assistant Manager Robert Gardner. From the obscure to the storied, drag queens from all over the world have travelled to the unassuming intersection of Hackney Road and Austin Street and walked through the doors of The George & Dragon. London born, New York made, Vincent Fox aka Lavinia Co-Op, has long been a cherished face at The George & Dragon. In 1975 he trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and became the founding member of the critically acclaimed drag troupe The BlooLips. After much success touring in the UK, Lavinia took his talents to New York City in 1991 sparking the nightclub circuit as both a performer and host ever since. But when Lavinia makes his way into town, The George & Dragon is always the place to be. If you get lucky you can still see her at the pub or simply standing outside in some of the most XQEHOLHYDEOH RXWĂ€WV VPRNLQJ D UROO XS ZLWK RQH KDQG DQG ZLWK D EHHU LQ WKH RWKHU ,I \RX GRQŇ‹W run into miss Lavinia the notoriously funny and endlessly funny “Lip Sinkerâ€? will cheer you up. Led by no other that Richard the owner of the pub himself, or should we say Richardette? Several well-known and spectacular drag queens have found their way to this intimate and quirky little place that is the George & Dragon. The most famous one is Jonny Woo “whose antics left impressions on all who viewed her holding court behind the decks in the beginning,â€? says Rob Gardner. There is no doubt that the crowd at the George & Dragon has a lot to offer. You are free to be every colour that you can possibly be, and the more different and unique – the better. The life of a drag queen has come a long way since American MTV banned Queen’s iconic music video for “I want to break freeâ€?. In many countries the traditional gender-roles have been UH GHĂ€QHG E\ WKH \RXQJHU JHQHUDWLRQ FDXVLQJ GHEDWHV DQG VWURQJ UHDFWLRQV ZLWK WKRVH DJDLQVW it. That it why places like the George & Dragon is so special and important to give credit, because they represent the love for personality and worship self-expression. How you look like and what you have or don’t have between your legs doesn’t really matter DQ\PRUH 1RZ LW LV DERXW FKRRVLQJ ZKR \RX DUH DQG Ă€QGLQJ \RXU SODFH DQG WKH SHRSOH ZKR support you. Dressing up in any form will always be a symbol of celebration. That is why drag queens are such a rare and special celebration of one of the most important things to celebrate in life: how you feel about who you are on the inside. These days, what is sexuality and identity in relation to each other anyway? We have straight ZRPHQ GUHVVLQJ OLNH PHQ DQG VWUDLJKW PHQ JURRPLQJ DQG ZHDULQJ ERZWLHV Ă€QDOO\ 6WHUHRtypes have become more confusing than just putting people in boxes. It’s not so black and white anymore.

MARY BENSON LONDON

WWW.MARYBENSON.CO.UK

ADDICTED//

WORDS BY CAROLINE KILDEBO// PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA STOREY//

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When he is not working as Assistant Manager at The George & Dragon or as Fashion Assistant at Ponystep, Robert Gardner still keeps quite busy by visiting some of London’s many amazing places and spending his hard-earned pounds. Chances are if FDQŇ‹W Ă€QG 5REHUW DW 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ KHŇ‹V JRQH RII WKH JULG DQG SRSSHG KLV KHDG into one of these local and quite addictive hotspots. 7HD 7LPH 'HFRUDWHG OLNH D &XEDQ MXQN VKRS LQVLGH WKH 3DFLĂ€F 6RFLDO &OXE RQ Clarence Road in Hackney not only serves up an incredible section of rare teas and a clever interior but also plays a darn good mix of exotica tunes all throughout the day. If you’re looking for a hip place to quench your thirst and people watch this is it. 8 &ODUHQFH 5RDG #3DFLĂ€F6RFLDO 6ZHHW %HDWV ² :LWK LWV PLQLPDO DPRXQW RI SVHXGR KLSVWHUV DQG PDVVLYH UDQJH RI ROG disco records, Flashback Records on Essex Road is a music lover’s secret soft spot. From its Italian disco section to its basement packed with rare CDs and records every Ă€QG KHUH LV OLNH VWULNLQJ D JRDO PLQH (VVH[ 5RDG #Ă DVKEDFNORQGRQ )DVKLRQ )L[ ² :KHQ 5REHUW ZDQWV WR ŇŠJHW KLJKŇ‹ RQ LQVSLUDWLRQ DQG Ă€QG VRPH QHZ FUHDtive treads the Issey Miyake store on Conduit street provides just that. “The store is beautifully decorated like a sculpture park inside with the clothes hanging like pictures in an exhibition. Even if you can’t afford anything, the lovely staff will help you pick out EL]DUUH VRFNV RU SHUIXPH Âľ &RQGXLW 6WUHHW #,VVH\0L\DNH1<& +LGH 2XW ² 6RPHWLPHV ZH DOO MXVW QHHG WR HVFDSH WKLV ODUJHU WKDQ OLIH FLW\ )RU VRPH VHULRXV 5 5 WLPH RU MXVW WR KLGH RXW LQ FRJQLWR IRU D ELW 5RE VWDQGV E\ 7KH %ULGJH D FDIp on Kingsland Road that’s too cool for a Twitter account and guarantees to keep your LGHQWLW\ FRQFHDOHG $FFRUGLQJ WR 5RE ´,I \RX VLW XSVWDLUV QR RQH FDQ Ă€QG \RX Âľ 6RXQGV JRRG WR XV .LQJVODQG 5RDG

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(PEUDFHG IRU KHU VLQFHUH IRUP RI GUHVVLQJ DQG EHOLHI WKDW \RX GRQŇ‹W QHHG GUXJV ZKHQ \RX FDQ EH GUXQN RQ FORWKHV DQG DUW 6XH EULQJV WR WKH WDEOH D YHU\ YDOXDEOH OHVVRQ In the world of youth today, the always charismatic 6W\OH LVQŇ‹W GHVLJQHG IRU WKH \RXQJ LWŇ‹V IRU 73-year old east London artist and curator, Sue KreitzWKRVH ZKR IHHO \RXQJ DW KHDUW DQG FHOHEUDWH man, takes an inspiring approach to showing ageists WKH SRZHU RI VHOI H[SUHVVLRQ that style isn’t just for skinny wide-eyed darlings and Millennials. On a rainy September’s eve 15 years ago Sue Krietzman waved goodbye to New York City, boarded an 8 KRXU Ă LJKW WR /RQGRQ +HDWKURZ DORQJVLGH KHU KXVEDQG DQG ZRNH XS RQ WKH RWKHU VLGH RI WKH $WODQWLF 0RUH Ă HD PDUNHW WKDQ %HUJGRUIŇ‹V 6XH WUDGHG KHU VDFUHG GLQHUV RQ WKH %RZHU\ IRU 7KXUVGD\ DIWHUQRRQV DW WKH 5RPDQ 5RDG 0DUNHW DQG HYHQLQJV DW WKH FKDUDFWHU Ă€OOHG SXEV RII RI +DFNQH\ 5RDG 5HVLGLQJ LQ KHU ROG FRXQFLO KRXVLQJ Ă DW WZR EORFNV IURP 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ 6XH UHFDOOV WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI KHU DFTXDLQWDQFH ZLWK WKH QHLJKERXUKRRG D SODFH EXUVWLQJ DW WKH EULP ZLWK KLGGHQ FUHDWLYLW\ DQG ORFDO JHPV “We didn’t have a whole lot of money but my god, those little grimy ethic food places and shops and pubs, we learned so much. If you look closely enough you’ll see that these places are the breeding grounds for creative minds. That’s the best thing about London’s East End, anything goes!â€? VKH VD\V

Navigating the perilous world of fashion through a combination of authenticity and charm, Sue represents the ability to be relevant at any age. “The neighbourhood and the style scene would not be the same without Sue, she’s a walking phenomenon. She invites us all to join in on the IXQ DQG FRQVWUXFW RXU RZQ GHĂ€QLWLRQ RI PHDQingful style and interpretationâ€? explains Londonbased musician and illustrator, Katharina Koall, a frequent George and Dragon regular. A sort of anthropologist when it comes to “Customers reference Sue’s style on a weekly baclothes Sue is a reminder that style does not sis in our Brick Lane shop, citing jewellery pieces QHFHVVDU\ Ă€W LQWR D VLQJOH VROLG GHĂ€QLWLRQ of ours that they’ve seen her wearing. Young, old, she’s winning their hearts over by showing “Is it good, is it bad? It doesn’t matter if it suits them style isn’t just what’s shown on the catwalks you. It just is,â€? says Sue in her favourite embroiat fashion week or inside an American Apparel GHUHG Ă RRU OHQJWK NLPRQR QDWXUDOO\ GHFRUDWHG store,â€? says Harriet Vine, Tatty Devine’s Artistic ZLWK Ă RZHUV DQG GDQFLQJ FDWV Director, the genius behind the covetable jewellery line that blurs the boundaries between art, fashion and culture. Never fond of conventional living or the emptiness she felt upon entering a department store packed with racks of similarly sad merchandise, Sue’s taste has always been cleanly focused on fuelling emotions from within and rejoicing having been blessed with a crazy artistic vision. In her living room, surrounded by her precious pieces of artwork, splashes of vibrant hues and miraculous energy, Sue is free of social restricWLRQV DQG UXOHV $ SHUIHFW Ă€W IRU WKH SOD\JURXQG RI east London, which curates a magnitude of interesting forces and fascinating minds, Sue breathes a breath of fresh air into this environment perceived to be only for the youthful boys and girls. “I’m in a constant state of art arousal. I’m antifashion. I wear art. People always complain about getting old but I see it as an adventure and a privilege. My god, how amazing it is to be alive,â€? explains Sue.

“Is it good, is it bad? It doesn’t matter if it suits you. It just is.�

THE BRIDGE COFFEE HOUSE

15 KINGSLAND ROAD LONDON E2 8AA

WORDS BY CAROLINE KILDEBO// PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA STOREY//

THE LIFE OF OBJECTS//

An examination of camp pleasures and the communication between the humans and the objects that occupy their space.// -XVW OLNH DOO WKH FUHDWLYH SHRSOH ZKR ÀOO 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ ZLWK ODXJKWHU PXVLF DQG JRRG FRQYHUVDWLRQV ² WKH LQWHULRU KDV D OLIH RI LWҋV RZQ 7KH EDU LQ LWVHOI LV TXLWH VPDOO DQG ZHOFRPLQJ 7KH GDUN ZRRGHQ FKDLUV PDNH VTXHDN\ VRXQGV ZKHQ \RX VLW RQ WKHP DQG WKH WDEOHV DUH RQH RI D NLQG MXVW OLNH DOO WKH SHRSOH VLWWLQJ RQ WKHP 7KH GHFRUDWLRQV DUH DOPRVW OLNH ´ÀQGLQJ :DOGRµ H[FHSW WKDW DW 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ \RX DUH PRVW OLNHO\ WR ÀQG HYHU\WKLQJ IURP FRZER\ KDWV WR D PRYLQJ KRUVHҋV KHDG WR PLQLDWXUH ÀJXULQHV RI /L]D 0LQHOOL DQG &KHU 7KH EULOOLDQW PLQG DQG DUW GLUHFWRU EHKLQG 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ LV WKH RZQHU RI WKH SXE KLPVHOI 5LFKDUG %DWW\H 7KH FRUH RI WKH LQWHULRU LV EXLOW PDLQO\ RQ 5LFKDUGҋV LPSUHVVLYH FROOHFWLRQ RI NLWVFK LWHPV DORQJVLGH WKH EHORQJLQJV RI SDWURQV RI WKH SXE ZKR KDYH GRQDWHG WKHLU RZQ 2QH RI WKH PRVW H\H FDWFKLQJ EL]DUUH DQG DOPRVW GLVWXUELQJ LWHPV DW 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ LV WKH PRYLQJ KRUVHҋV KHDG *URZLQJ ROGHU DQG GZLQGOLQJ PRUH HDFK GD\ LW RQO\ KDV RQH PRYLQJ HDU QRZ DQG WKH FDUURW LW XVHG WR EH FKHZLQJ RQ ZDV HLWKHU VWROHQ RU ´FKHZHG DZD\µ 7KH EDUҋV LQWHULRU WUXO\ LV D UHVXOW RI SHRSOH FRPLQJ WRJHWKHU LQ VSLULW RI WKH SXE DQG WKH SOHDVXUHV LW EULQJV WKHP 0RVW RI WKH REMHFWV EHKLQG WKH EDU ZHUH ERXJKW VHFRQG KDQG IURP DQ ROG KRWHO DQG UHDVVHPEOHG DW WKH SXE E\ WKH DLG RI 5LFKDUGҋV IDWKHU 7KH GHFRUDWLRQV DW WKH SXE DUH DOPRVW OLNH D ZRUN RXW IRU \RXU H\HV VWDUWLQJ IURP WKH ÁRRU VWUDLJKW XS WR WKH FHLOLQJ (YHU\WKLQJ KDV DOPRVW VWD\HG WKH VDPH VLQFH WKH LWHPV ZHUH LQVWDOOHG ZKHQ WKH SXE ÀUVW RSHQHG LQ LWV SUHVHQW IRUP MXVW RYHU \HDUV DJR 7KH KLJKHU XS \RX JHW ² WKH ORQJHU LW KDV EHHQ WKHUH )URP SDWURQV WR EDUWHQGHUV WKH REMHFWV DQG WKHLU viewers have formed a special bond and relationship. :KHWKHU \RX ÀQG WKH LQWHULRU WR EH GLVWXUELQJ DQG PRQVWURXV RU ZDUP DQG FKDUPLQJ ² HYHU\WKLQJ LV DFFHSWHG LWҋV MXVW RQH RI WKRVH SODFHV ´&RXQWOHVV JUHDW WKLQJV KDYH KDSSHQHG KHUH DQG VR PDQ\ JUHDW SHRSOH KDYH ZDONHG WKURXJK WKDW XQDVVXPLQJ GRRU DQG LQWR RXU ZRUOG HDFK OHDYLQJ EHKLQG WKHP D VPDOO IUDJPHQW RI WKHLU LGHQWLW\ :KHQ \RX JHW WKDW LQ VXFK D VPDOO SODFH ZLWK VXFK VWURQJ SHUVRQDOLWLHV WKDW LV ZKHQ \RX FUHDWH \RXU DWPRVSKHUH DQG LQ SDUWLFXODU RQH WKDW UHDOO\ ODVWV DQG LV WRWDOO\ XQDEOH WR EH UHSOLFDWHG HOVHZKHUH µ 5REHUW *DUGQHU *HRUJH DQG WKH 'UDJRQ 2ZQHU

INHABITANTS OF THE LAYER//

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLEY MULLARKEY//

Fusing their miraculous talents with collaborative spirits, we examine The George & Dragon’s newest generation of creatives who eagerly welcome their opportunity to turn chance meetings into fashion forward history, highlighting their unique personal styles and innovative inspirations.

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he peculiar building that’s home to The George & Dragon rests on an unassumingly grimy corQHU LQ /RQGRQҋV SUROLÀF (DVW (QG D GLDPRQG LQ WKH URXJK DPRQJVW WKH VO\ VRIW FRUH GUXJ GHDOV DQG UDPEXQFWLRXV QHLJKERUKRRG ODGV 'HVSLWH EHLQJ VXFK D QRQFKDODQW LQFRQVSLFXRXV SODFH ODFNLQJ WKH 6WXGLR HVTXH JODPRXU DQG DQ\ VRUW RI FXVK\ ORXQJH LQWHULRU WKH YDULHW\ RI SHRSOH ÁRFNLQJ WR LW DUH VR FRQWUDU\ WR HDFK RWKHU LQ DSSHDUDQFH DQG PRUH VR ZLWK WKH H[WHULRU RQH FDQQRW KHOS WKHLU FXULRVLW\ DQG YHQWXUH LQVLGH WKH SXE DQG GLVFRYHU LWV PDQ\ OD\HUV DQG LQKDELWDQWV )URP GUDJ TXHHQV DQG IDVKLRQ PRGHOV OLNH )HOLFLW\ +D\ZDUG WR HGLWRUV IURP 3RQ\VWHS DQG HPHUJLQJ GHVLJQHUV OLNH 0DU\ %HQVRQ DQG 6LDQ +RIIPDQ SHRSOH RI DOO ZDONV RI OLIH FRPH WR WKH SXE WR KDUPRQLRXVO\ UHOD[ GULQN DQG KDYH IXQ :KDWҋV WUXO\ IDVFLQDWLQJ WKRXJK LV KRZ PDQ\ ÁDPER\DQWO\ LQWHUHVWLQJ SHRSOH FRQYHQH DURXQG VXFK D GLVRUGHUO\ IDVFLQDWLQJ SOD\JURXQG ,WҋV WKLV HFOHFWLF PL[ RI SDWURQV WKDW WUDQVFHQGV WKH DQWLTXDWHG DHVWKHWLF LQWR D ULFK YLEUDQW DWPRVSKHUH ´7KHUHҋV D FROOHFWLRQ RI SHRSOH WKDW DOZD\V FRPH KHUH 7KH\ҋUH IDVKLRQ GHVLJQHUV PXVLFLDQV DUWLVWV DQG WKH\ FRQJUHJDWH KHUH ,WҋV OLNH D OLYLQJ URRP WR WKHP µ ORQJ WLPH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ $VVLVWDQW 0DQDJHU DQG 3RQ\VWHS )DVKLRQ $VVLVWDQW 5REHUW *DUGQHU GHVFULEHV ´$QG LW DOZD\V KDV EHHQ OLNH WKDW DQG HYHU\ \HDU WKHUHҋV D QHZ JHQHUDWLRQ RI FUHDWLYHV WKDW FRPH LQ µ 7KLV QHZ JHQHUDWLRQ PDNLQJ 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ WKHLU OLYLQJ URRP LQFOXGHV (PLO\ (QJODQG DQG $GDP 3HWHU +LFNV %RWK DUH FUHDWLYHO\ LQVSLUHG LQ WKHLU FDUHHUV GLYHUVH LQ SHUVRQDO VW\OH DQG H[XEHUDQW WR ÀQG OLNH PLQGHG SHRSOH LQ WKLV PXOWL OD\HUHG ODE\ULQWK ÀOOHG ZLWK HOHFWULF YLVLRQDULHV , FDXJKW XS ZLWK (PLO\ DIWHU VKH ODLG GRZQ D VHW RI ÀHUFH EHDWV '-LQJ DW WKH SXE 7KH PXOWLWDOHQWHG PXVH VSHQGV KHU GD\V RQ ERWK VLGHV RI WKH FDPHUD DV D PRGHO DQG SKRWRJUDSKHU 6WLOO LQ KHU LQIDQF\ VWDJH (PLO\ DVVXUHV PH VKHҋV VWDUWLQJ WR JHW FRPIRUWDEOH DV D '- DQG DXJPHQWV KHU LQFRPH E\ VHOOLQJ YLQWDJH ÀQGV online. ´7UXWKIXOO\ ,ҋP LQVSLUHG PRVW E\ WKH SHRSOH , KDYH PHW LQ /RQGRQ ZKLFK KDV EHHQ D UHVXOW RI PHDQGHULQJ WKURXJK QLJKWFOXEV DQG '-LQJ µ (PLO\ VDLG ´6R PDQ\ SHRSOH WDNH IRU JUDQWHG KRZ DPD]LQJ LW LV WR OLYH LQ D FLW\ OLNH WKLV &UHDWLYLW\ LV LQ HYHU\ LQFK DQG FRUQHU µ :KHQ \RX WDNH D ORRN DW (PLO\ \RX LPPHGLDWHO\ ZDQW WR NQRZ WKH FUHDWLYH LQVSLUDWLRQ IXHOLQJ KHU 6KH VSRUWV PHUPDLG OLNH SXUSOH KDLU ZKLFK KLJKOLJKWV KHU FRQWHPSRUDU\ WZLVWV RQ WUDGLWLRQDO HQVHPEOHV DQG WKHQ RI FRXUVH WKHUHҋV KHU DIÀQLW\ IRU FRUVHWV DQG OLQJHULH

“The corset is one of the most misinterpreted garments. Most people don’t know that men originally wore them. They inspire people to be proud of their bodies and all that they stand for regardless of gender and typical roles,â€? she explained. Emily sees lingerie as a form of liberation and not female objecWLĂ€FDWLRQ ZKLFK WKH PHGLD KDV traditionally played up. Having modeled in catwalk shows for corset and garment designer and close friend Sian Hoffman, Emily expresses how pleasing it is to wear such incredible pieces that encourage posture and highlight the beauty and femininity of the silhouette. Left up to fate these two creative personalities, who have become close friends and collaborators, Ă€UVW PHW DW 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJon. The pub itself also gave Emily KHU Ă€UVW RSSRUWXQLW\ WR '- Music has always played an integral part of her life. Emily was very much part of the metal and goth music scene, which likewise inspired her outwardly appearDQFH $W WKH 'URS 'HDG )HVWLYDO she made a friend out of famed '- 'DQLHO -RQHV ZKR LQVSLUHG KHU

(ABOVE: Emily’s personal work taken backstage at Sian Hoffman’s show) “I didn’t want to grow up and just be surrounded by people who were content with what was just in front of them. I like the chaotic nature of things. I’m driven by change. I see a lot of that same philosophy in music,â€? explains Emily. (DFK QLJKW 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ KDV D '- SOD\LQJ DQ DUUD\ RI cheesy camp disco to mix mastered classics. You never quite NQRZ ZKDW \RXŇ‹UH JRLQJ WR JHW 2Q )ULGD\ LW FRXOG EH GLVFR inferno, but Saturday could treat you to some “very terrible pop PXVLF Âľ *DUGQHU DGPLWV “Every night there’s something so drastically different from the night before,â€? he said, which adds to the pub’s diversity as well as creative patron’s taste. 3KRWRJUDSKHU $GDP 3HWHU +LFNV Ă€UVW FDPH WR 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ IRU D ER\V QLJKW ZKLFK IHDWXUHG VRPH WUHQGLQJ GDQFH music. Although it was not a personal taste, he relished his time there and met some very interesting people such as stylist 3DXO -R\FH DQG 9ROW &DIp IHDWXUHV HGLWRU $QQD %DQJ The patrons with their inquisitive nature and infectious novelty may have been very interested in Adam because he’s highly FRQĂ€GHQW LQ KLV H[WUDRUGLQDU\ XQRUWKRGR[ ZD\ RI GUHVVLQJ ² very few men are brave enough to wear a skirt. “It started with kilts, then skirts and gradually shifted into dresses. People can either take it or leave it. All that matters to me is the honesty of how I’m feeling and how my clothing showcases that. I don’t have a gender in the sense of dressing,â€? Adam described of his sartorial philosophy.

In addition to skirts, Adam dresses in a very simplistic sophisticated manner with a dark palette. He prefers minimalism to extravagance, traditional over trendy and all of which must adhere to comfort. Knowing how to dress and express meaning through clothes has long been Adam’s forte in life. He’s since made it a career working as a fashion photographer for such titles as Volt Café and Vice Fashion. Without hesitation Adam mentions to me over lunch that many of his freelance projects have been a result of the connections and friendships he has made at The George & Dragon. One of the most important traits of a fashion photographer is having a good eye for style and knowing when something is truly unique. If designer Helen Delany was in The George & Dragon at the same time as Adam, he surely would have picked up his camera and snapped away at her intrinsic style. Helen is one of the older generations that made the pub her living room when she was launching her fashion company she co-founded with a lifelong friend in 1999. Electronic Sheep knitwear has since progressed into the mainstream being seen everywhere from London Fashion Week to the inside spread of Sunday Times Style magazine. ´/RQGRQ KDG D KXJH LQÁXHQFH RQ P\ style, professional successes and inspirations,” Helen explains inside her studio space, which she shares with Slashstroke Magazine. “However, the industry is changing. It’s getting harder for artists, musicians and designers to SURÀW IURP ZKDW WKH\ SURGXFH 3ODFHV like The George & Dragon are integral to their survival. Looking back on my career some of the greatest connections I made resulted from evenings in nightclubs.” This ethos is entirely embraced by another new generation creative, Gemma Winter, a fashion journalist turned stylist turned London Fashion Week event manager. She sees The George & Dragon as a lifeline for collaborations and cutting edge projects. “Sometimes when I think of The George & Dragon I envision it as an underground creative agency RU GHVLJQ FRQVXOWDQF\ RI VRUWV $IWHU DOO LWҋV KDUG WR ÀQG VRPHRQH WUXO\ VSHFWDFXODU DQG LQWHUHVWLQJ ZLWKLQ WKH IDVKLRQ DQG DUWV LQGXVWULHV ZKR KDVQҋW VSHQW D PRPHQW RU WZR ZLWKLQ WKH FRQÀQHV RI these decaying walls.” 7KH GHFD\LQJ ZDOOV DUH H[DFWO\ KRZ WKH VWDII RI 7KH *HRUJH 'UDJRQ LQWHQGV WR NHHS LW 3HUKDSV it’s the decrypt nature of the pub that makes people open up to one another or their love of contrasts, but whatever the formula is, it’s certainly working. //

THE PACIFIC SOCIAL CLUB

8 CLARENCE ROAD LONDON E5 8HB

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