THE WORLD IS YOURS
EAST LONDON
March 2016 - n째 12 - www.lebonbon.co.uk
Photographe : Flavien Prioreau www.flavienprioreau.com flavienprioreau@hotmail.com Modèle : Zarina
EDITO
Founder Jacques de la Chaise Director Charles Guillet Editor Benjamin Harvey Business Development Vuk Levkovic Art director Margaux I Love You Graphic Designers Gabrielle Vila, Charlotte Duriez Contributors Lexi Rose, Elodie Hazelwood, Louise Dubuisson, Seki Lynch, Sonny Syah, Alicia Streijffert, Ana Haya Sauvage, Chloé Hunt, Margaux Décatoire, Alexandre Terry Photographers Romain Forquy www.romainforquy.com Zac Dimitrov www.zdravkodimitrov.com Ella Hermë www.ellaherme.com Contact us hello@lebonbon.co.uk Partnerships & Events margaux@lebonbon.co.uk Le Bonbon Limited 21 London Terrace Hackney Road E2 7SQ – LONDON
Advertising and enquiries Vuk@lebonbon.co.uk 079 8365 1644 Charles@lebonbon.co.uk 079 8365 1643
There is this troubling paradox that keeps cropping up, as my girlfriend and I lie supine and watch the mute clouds pass by our bedroom skylight. It concerns Hirmand our local shopkeeper who was named after a river in Iran. He is a very charitable man, so charitable in fact that it has become a kind of private flaw. The shop sits on the corner of an alleyway, which operates as a magnet for antisocial behaviour. Shards from broken beer bottles give it a decadent beauty. My girlfriend calls it the ‘mud mile’ because of its smell, a potent mix of sweet dope and sodden cardboard. The community that frequent the alley often come into Hirmand’s shop and ask customers for change or Hirmand himself to front them some juice, tobacco or ‘smalls’ – a name he gives to the small bottles of liquor as well as the confectionary. More often than not Hirmand will give it to them, smile and tell them “this is the last time now.” And on weekends he takes it upon himself to power hose the walls and ground of the alleyway, sweeping up the debris into a nearby drain. A homemade charity box sits atop the shops counter, which he shares out to those he has formed a close relationship with. To what does his compassion serve? The shop itself is struggling, and in some ways Hirmand is only enabling those who he is charitable to. As he, in his own small way, seeks to make the city a freer and more understanding place, with it he is slowly adding to its abstract selfdestruction. We lie there and meditate on the puzzle. March is an odd time of year, a time when the weather is either pathetically dull or optimistically bright. In this issue of Le Bonbon we have thought about scale and a sense of place. From a forty-five foot painting of Where’s Wally on the roof of a record store in Vancouver, to bespoke furniture tailored to specific interiors, Japanese textiles and a blend of Irish and Swede pop, as it turned out, we found ourselves thinking about where we are in the world and perhaps more so, what that means. There is really no immediate consequence to what it is that we do here at Le Bonbon. Seeing the magazine displayed across east (and now central) London, it simply invites those that pass it by to pick it up and pass it on. Everybody that works on it does so with a view to the future, the people, the enterprises, the ‘community’ that we engage with. But it just sits there, like a kind of paradox. In turn, it is these little things that matter and if you pass us by, just know we are wishing you a pleasant March. Benjamin Harvey
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CONTENTS
03
2016
6
8
Wringer & Mangle
Little White Things
12
14
26
The Restoration
LUREM
Melanie Coles
28
30
32
Le Bon Cocktail
Food Cycle
Lady Bonbon
3
IT'S BEEN A YEAR. IN YOUR FACE LONDON ! LET'S CELEBRATE. 8TH OF APRIL 2016.
LE BON TIMING Oval Space Music x Dial Records with Reagenz Live, Lawrence, Carsten Jost @ Oval Space Berlin label Dial Records, known for its rich and diversified house music scene, will be joining Oval Space Music with David Moufang and Jonah Sharp’s
End of Year - Class of 2016 - Final Exhibition @ Lewisham Art House
duo Reagenz, headlining for their first
End of Year is the final show of 17 students
comprises of two other German
from the School of the Damned, a free
acts: Dial co-founders Lawrence and
postgraduate art course run by, and for,
Carsten Jost will be making their third
the students themselves. It promotes
appearance at the Oval. It’s always
free education as a fundamental right as
a good time to shuffle your feet on
universities in the UK are getting more and
some Berlin vibes.
more unaffordable. This exhibition serves
Where? Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT When? 18th March, 10pm until 6am How much? £5 - £20
as proof that it is possible for a group of students to run a school and organise art events and exhibitions without any financial obligation.
London show in 5 years. The line-up
Where? Lewisham Art House, 140 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6PD When? 3rd March until 13th March (PV 4th March at 6.30-9pm + talk and discussion with SOTD and guests on 13th March at 7pm) How much? Free
ODESZA @ The Troxy Uni pals Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight are now far from dorm room music collaboration. Following the release of the deluxe edition of their latest album In Return, the American electronic duo from Seattle are currently touring the world with shows in South America, Australia and Europe - a good deal of which are sold out. Reminiscent of a warm summer night, their tracks will have you dance restlessly.
Where? The Troxy, 490 Commercial Rd, London E1 0HX. When? 31st March, doors at 7pm How much? £20.55
5
LE BON RESTO Text Benjamin Harvey Picture Hollie Kutchinsky
Spring Cleaning with a Collins… Wringer & Mangle has it all Located directly opposite the infamous, yeasty spills of London Fields Brewery in the heart of East London’s most creatively vibrant district, Wringer + Mangle used to be an industrial Laundromat. Now Gerry Calabrese, the brains behind Hoxton Pony and Hoxton Gin, has reconditioned the space into an innovative 250 seater bar and restaurant.
now Wringer & Mangle presents
exposed brick walls with smart
all-day drinking and dining in
artistry. The kitchen serves
London Fields’ The Laundry
inspired pub grub classics
building. What inspired such an
realized in their own unique way
affectionate re imagination of
from lunch through dinner, and
the local launderettes? Martin
on Sunday’s a traditional roast.
Parr? Surely not. It is something
The food menu is complimented
to do with spring-cleaning? Does
by a thirty strong list of Collins-
London need to whiten up? Are
style cocktails: traditionally made
we afflicted by a dearth of Daz, a
from gin, lemon juice, sugar, and
paucity of Persil?
carbonated water.
The Laundry Building has
Behind the venture is Gerry
certainly scrubbed up well, the
Calabrese, owner of Hoxton Gin
London is awash with washing
white chalk paint, climbing vines
and party spot the Hoxton Pony
themed spaces. Coin Laundry
and laundry-themed bits and
and there is a lot of slick shapes
in Exmouth Market promises
bobs give Wringer & Mangle the
to be thrown and fun to be had
these smoky retro, prohibition
look of most chic-otherwise-
with all those Collins’ as they
inspired eats, Machine No 3,
abandoned spaces in around
offer a lively program of events.
Hackney, does cocktails in a
Hackney Wick, Stokey and
Every Sunday W + M presents The
former launderette, Chinese
London Fields. The neat touches
Smoking Guns a duo of impossibly
Laundry serves authentic home-
of graphic design blend into
beautiful ‘Spring Breakers’ type
style Chinese in Islington. And
the striped back furniture and
ladies who play an exciting array
6
of Northern Soul, Motown amidst
including The Groucho Club, Soho
old school Rock’n’Roll. They also
House, 5 Hertford St, Scotch of
international pop singers.
bring along some of their favorite
St James and Black Dice. When
This springtime in London
live acoustic acts, so there is
they’re away from the decks,
Fields should be in a spin over
really something for everyone.
Samantha is often on stage or
W + M. Featuring an expansive
Whether you love soul, rock’n’roll
on set; she recently starred in
all-weather terrace and an ever-
or acoustic guitar Wringer +
a fairly intense and provocative
evolving series of art exhibitions
Mangle Sunday Sessions will have
piece of new writing in the West
this is the next chapter for
it all.
End and is in the process of
Calabrese and Wringer + Mangle
filming her own first film as a
is already cleaning up in East
The Smoking Gun are - singer-
writer-director. Iraina has been
London.
songwriter Iraina Mancini and
touring with her own music for
—
actress Samantha Michelle who,
the last six years and is currently
since joining forces, have DJ’d at
recording her own debut album
a number of top London venues
alongside writing several hits for
Wringer and Mangle Sidworth St, London E8 3SD Phone: 020 3457 7285 7
LE BON ETOILE Text Elodie Hazelwood Picture Debbie Scanlan
Little White Things The size of something is, more often that not, relative to its scale. Feeling small tends to mean feeling insignificant. Because size is often considered in relation to something else- our workload versus pay, a grain of sand on a beach, a mouse fitting through the empty shell of a biro- it is difficult to place true value on certain things. Size in this respect, is a relative thing.
before they met, but when knit
‘Step Back’ did extraordinarily
together seemed controlled
well. The three of us talk for
and structured, complimenting
some time about some of the
a vision they both inadvertently
other bands on the label’s
shared. “I invited Max over the
roster and how there is this
day after the party. We’d had
youthful thrill to the music and
some beer and, you know one
a huge amount of excitement
thing led to another, we started
surrounding bands like Swim
talking about music as you do.
Deep, Sundara Karma and Billie
He played me some stuff he had
Marten; bands and singer-
been working on and I started
songwriters that are remarkably
twiddling melodies over the
talented musicians as well
top of it and something just
as down to earth people.
clicked. Just like that, whatever
Behan and Bergstrom play off
had stumped him before and
each other throughout the
When Irish born musician Dave
visa versa, we could work it out
conversation, which not only
Behan came to live in London a
together.”
helps to understand how they
couple of years ago, the sheer
are able to achieve such astute
size of the city was somewhat
I met Behan and Bergstrom
music but places them in relation
of an inspiration. He wanted to
in a pub off London Bridge.
to the other bands on Chess
make something big, something
Halfway through a Guinness,
Clubs roster, “we didn’t really
big enough perhaps, to reflect
they sat slumped, deep in some
have a plan in mind,” Bergstrom
the city itself. After meeting
conversation as the dulled late
explains, “the music always
Swede Max Bergstrom at a
February afternoon created
came first because that’s what
house party sometime in early
patterns on the pubs wooden
matters.”
2015, the two started splicing
floor. Chess Club Records signed
together passages of music
the duo towards the end of last
Behan does this thing with his
they had each been working on
year, and their debut release
hands. He places them out level
8
with one another as he describes
in conversation was as natural,
of the year will no doubt present
his height. He’s average height,
genuine and sharp as their sound.
a varied and controlled collection
around 5’8’/ 5’9” he claims, and
As we sat and talked, it was just
of whatever you choose to call
as he pushes one hand down the
three blokes in a pub discussing
it – ‘popular music?’ “We want to
other is forced up like a mimic
music, and why not? Though
make people move, dance, smile,
set of scales. “I want to make
‘Step Back’ channels certain
feel good you know? There are
big music. I think now the shorter
seismic influences from Big Star
big, uplifting, anthemic choruses
the front man,” he forces the
and early Elton John records to
alongside acoustic tracks. It
scales down and up, “the bigger
MGMT and The Shins, what Behan
doesn’t matter as long as it’s
and more epic the sound.” He’s
and Bergstrom do is distinct
good,” and it is. With a series
charming and funny and the odd
and matchless because they
of live shows coming up around
logic does seem to compute
construct a saturated sound so
London coinciding with their next
when you think of a band like
honest in production and musical
release, it is the perfect time to
Foals who are adding more
ability that their future can only
keep your finger on the pulse,
and more depth to their sound
be eagerly anticipated. With a
it’s going to make the world
with each of there releases.
second single called ‘Corner
seem like this little thing and that
It’s a terse logic though and
of’ set to be released by Chess
you’re a big, beautiful part of it.
thoroughly inconsequential. The
Club next month, the view to
—
point is that Little White Things
produce a full LP toward the end
littlewhitethings.com 9
10
LE BON CREATIVE Text Sonny Syah Picture Philippe Halsman
‘The Dreams Stuff Are Made Of ’ Why is it that for the life of me I can never manage to run in my dreams?
stages of what’s known as R.E.M,
we need to rectify the habits of
we are most likely to remember a
our waking lives.
dream if we are awakened within one. There are times I have
So too, the power of dreams is
It seems that whenever I
woken up aggravated, laughing,
such that it can trick the senses
feel the urge to make haste
even on the verge of tears. The
into hearing, seeing, smelling,
it's as if I am wading through
lingering emotion is opaque and
touching or tasting anything
the obstructive thickness of
thick like secondhand smoke;
remotely imaginable. I can recall
molasses. Somewhere within the
the threads of the dream on the
the scent of cheap deodorant
early hours of a restless winter
other hand, seem ambiguous and
on a high school crush, the taste
morning, swinging between
illusory.
of salt on a sea breeze, the
various vines of slumber, I
goosebumps from music heard
reflected on the curious nature
On occasion too, within dreams
on a phonograph. All conjured up
of dreams and the subconscious.
I find myself the comical victim
in that land of forty winks.
of my own adolescent fears. Contrary to what may feel at
Schoolyard bullies, rough seas,
The great French filmmaker Jean
times like spelunking through
feral cats (I have a slight feline
Cocteau once said that, ‘One of
vast, cavernous depths within
phobia), all seem to make
the characteristics of the dream
our psyche, it’s particularly
frightful forays into my realm of
is that nothing surprises us in it.
sobering to learn that your
shuteye. One particular recurring
With no regret, we agree to live
average dream supposedly only
theme I can recall is never being
in it with strangers, completely
runs for the duration of seconds.
able to properly lock the windows
cut off from our habits and
In some instances dreams appear
or doors in the home I grew up
friends.’ More often than not I
to continue on in segmented
in.
have lay awake wondering why
intervals throughout our sleep
it is so, that I can commonly
like some bizarre Netflix series of
Of course there are also those
identify my difficulty in running
the trivial and tumultuous. I often
dreams that cruelly remind
through dreams, but I am
find dreams are as elusive as
us of the virulent monotony
unable to use that to trigger
slippery eels once awake, and if
of our daily lives. Dreaming of
lucid dreaming and therefore
we do manage to hold onto one
being rudely awakened by your
make myself run through my
they appear so abstract that we
morning alarm, punching keys at
dormancy. Perhaps the answer
almost want to tip them out of
the workplace, or simply going
lies in my willingness to accept
the bucket or throw them back.
through the motions of the day
the unfamiliarity of that which
It is said that during the various
ahead can be stark signals that
resides over the precipice.
11
LE BON DESIGN Text Benjamin Harvey Picture Romain Forquy
Sleek bespoke furniture, handmade by The Restoration Tucked in a mews off Bouverie Road in Stoke Newington, the raw humming sound of a circular saw coursing through slabs of wood seems to draw from the surrounding cul-de-sac’s walls. Upon entering The Restoration, dipping below the low hanging doorframe and moving through a softly lit corridor, there is a hidden space - as if you were Alice traveling through wonderland - a bright, open showroom of ornate and bespoke design.
themselves, reclaiming long strips
a newly designed kitchen
of wood from salvage yards,
table and relative benches,
cutting, splicing and designing
that after experimenting with
their own furniture, shelves and
the up-cycled scaffold strips of
units. The activity gifted them not
wood, the new design sees the
only a new wealth of experience
strips cut lengthwise and bound
through trial and error, but
together to gift the collection
also an attention to detail and
extra strength and lifespan.
material that has since informed
The kitchen furniture, as with
both the style and process of The
a number of other bespoke
Restoration as an independent
pieces from bookshelves to
design collective. The showroom
sideboards in The Restoration’s
is a kind of curated space that
collection, can be calculated
constantly evolves as newly
and tailored specific to a clients
realised pieces are introduced
home, and the duo offer a free,
and others find a home.
no obligation consultation as
Composed of The Restoration’s
concerns the design model.
own handmade furniture, which Sophie and her partner Spud
sits beside vintage pieces and
In addition to presenting a new
opened The Restoration seven
home accessories from wall
collection, The Restoration now
years ago. After moving to Stoke
clocks, lighting to kitchenware
offers an upholstery service. In
Newington, the couple had
and textiles, Sophie tells me,
line with their ethos of tailoring
decided to furnish their home
as she directs me toward
design and costs to their client’s
12
limits, the service allows for select pieces to be upholstered in textiles selected by the clients who bring them to The Restoration team. The interplay between bespoke and vintage furniture could be seen as an engagement with design that nods to the past whilst curating spaces in the future. As the city becomes increasingly design conscious people seem to be turning their backs from the likes of ubiquitous design houses, in order to shape more personalized interiors. From its humble and personal beginnings The Restoration brings together homegrown techniques with an ever-growing knowledge of material, binding a love of quality design with hand made products. A place to reside in the city slowly and modestly becomes your own, a little castle, a humble home. —
www.the-restoration.com Phone: 07990 573889 Unit 1 Bouverie Mews, 2 Bouverie Road, London, N16 0AJ
13
LE BON LIFESTYLE Text Benjamin Harvey Pictures Philippe Chambret
Bring on the splendid springtime with LUREM As the sun begins to beam through gaps in the sky and Kanye croons afresh about how it won’t shine in the shade, springtime at LUREM brings with it a gorgeous new SS collection that abides by their loose rules of simplicity and androgyny dotted with notes of clever detailing.
which, when brought together,
gendered garments and
summon a kind of intravenous
shaping them into androgynous
wave of holistic calm from the
forms. A more traditional male
dizzying busyness of outside. I
dinner jacket, for example, is
was introduced to Tokyo based
appropriated with a pair of
designer Miyuki Ushida, who was
office shorts, subtly subverting
in town to deliver the new SS
the typically male qualified
collection in store.
garment as it interplays with a more feminine shaped design.
It should be noted that LUREM
Another in the collection sees a
is an ‘international’ lifestyle
tailored female office jacket
brand in every sense of the word.
with complimentary lining offer a
It was nice to see Philippe
A tight knit team of in house
smart detail to an upturned cuff.
again. He rolled into the store,
designers working with a view to
With accompanying full-length
jumped from the side of his
bind the urban sophistication
trousers, the smart casual piece
pushbike into an unwittingly
of London and Tokyo together,
is suitable for a number of
comic, quickly decelerating
borrowing patterns, details and
occasions, from client meetings
walk and greeted me with an
colours from both cultures and
to evening dinner dates, and
outstretched hand and smile.
using them as a kind of trove
imbues the freshness of spring
LUREM sits on Bethnal Green
or pallet with which to design
with its lightly coloured textiles.
Road just opposite a fork where
beautiful contemporary urban
The stand out piece of the
the road spits into Redchurch
fashion.
new collection however is a
Street. The store draws in the
wonderful, light linin suit. The
natural, with hardwood flooring,
The new collection is an
jacket hangs slightly lower than
ornate furniture and, its principal
evolution of LUREM’s house
the other pieces in the collection
feature, a clothing range. All of
style playing with traditional
and holds the casual shape of an
14
art smock. Made from genuine
fabrics themselves. Designed
not help but feel comfortable,
Japanese woven fabric the piece
and manufactured in Japan, an
if not a little indulgent, and
inspires the coming summer
active adoration for material is
with the new SS collection they
nights, deep glasses of chilled
imbedded into LUREM’s
continue to inspire and empower
white wine and warm breezes.
philosophy. In store, the Lifestyle
the independent urban lady.
Balanced with a pair of flowing
brand draws in collaborations
linin trousers, the outfit is truly
with local jewellery designers
—
stunning.
who manufacture their
LUREM 138 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 6DG Phone :020 8127 8338
products in London, which sit Ushida told me that all of the
alongside select chocolates and
pieces are realised by the
accessories. In LUREM one can
15
LE BON ART Artwork Melanie Coles
16
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LE BON WALL
Welcome to the family baby Bonboners!
To my Lizzie Pickle. I may be slightly autistic at times but I
Lukasz morda, come to Paris, Anton wants
am always fixated on you…
to catch up with you Come home please Austin, I miss you and your stupid fart blanket head thing…
Emma, Thank you for everything along the way. It couldn’t have been done without you. TV
Baby we could be smooth as butter but you playing.
I AM INTO M&S S&M
A blowjob is better than no job
VIVA Frank Van Luigi Pele Harvey Sutton – you are so loved our little bunny.
We did it bro!
Jennifer
Benjamin Edwin Slinger - making omelettes with leftover KFC xxx
Justice for Dave #bringbackdave
Sweetheart, put down the damn phone –
£1200 in a week feels like we’re Eddy & Bacon in Lock, Stock.
Juliette & Stew, I'm feeling so lucky to be part of your family! Love you. Cha
25
LE BON ART Text Benjamin Harvey Artwork Melanie Coles
Melanie Coles A Sense of Place In 2008 Melanie Coles painted a fifty-four foot Waldo on the roof of a record store in Vancouver, Canada. Calculated as part of a research project to be exhibited at that year’s Emily Carr School of Art & Design grad show, Coles reproduced an image of the famous cartoon figure notorious for being difficult to find as he travels through various environments. In doing so, and to such a scale, the project invited the world to play ‘Where’s Waldo?’ by searching through Google maps, a relatively new desktop web mapping service at the time.
concerned that, as the project
satellite mapping but the
entered the national and
historic mathematical methods
international mainstream media,
of analogue production
she was breaking some kind of
and scale. It has since been
copyright infringement. Coles
continued and reproduced
was living in Vancouver at the
across the world in places from
time, studying and producing
Antwerp to Brasilia, as open
posters and record sleeve
source instructions were offered
covers for local garage bands,
online via the project’s website
her work in line with a certain
(www. whereonearthiswaldo.
punk aesthetic that emanates
wordpress.com). Inadvertently,
from collage. On the day of the
Coles’ project became something
show, Coles received an email
more than a game, but an
from the creators of the Where’s
artwork absorbed in a sense of
Waldo (or Wally in the U.K). In
place.
A day before the exhibition,
The project not only plays with
heritage visa, she has since been
Coles grew increasingly
a well-known digital format of
developing her practice in the
it they expressed their love for her project. As a gesture of their
The project prefigured the
appreciation, Mark Handford,
recent logical dimensions of a
the British illustrator and
three-month residency at the
creator sent her a personalised
RA in London last year. After
illustration of the character.
discovering that she could return to the city through a
26
city. I met her in a packed café
produced. “For the RA I guess I
living and working in London once
on Redchurch Street, Shoreditch.
did want to make something
again, she intends to stay here
We got take-out coffee, sat and
epic” she says, because the
for some time to explore the city,
talked for a while on a bench in
resources were made available
and perhaps most poignantly,
Arnold Circus. She is generous,
to her. Using found material
what it means to be here. With
softly spoken and meditated
and collage, she looks to her
the School of the Damned end
on my questions with a kind of
immediate surroundings, be it an
of year show coming up in early
earnest beauty found only in deft
inkjet photocopier or a
March at Lewisham Art House,
artistic reasoning. She tells me
large-scale acetate printer.
Coles is exhibiting work that uses
about The School of The Damned,
She works to constraints and
architectural forms about the
a reactive, free postgraduate art
then expands their potential
city, and with her clean eye for
course she attends that is run by,
through intimate brushstrokes,
subtraction and collage, it will be
and for, its students.
colour and mixed media, turning
sure to arouse a unique sense of
subjects and formats in on
place.
Much of the work she makes,
themselves, subtly questioning
—
she tells me, is inadvertently
what they can do for - her, not
www.melanie-coles.com
appropriated by where it is
what she can do for them. Now
schoolofthedamned.tumblr.com
27
28
LE BON COCKTAIL Text Seki Lynch
Cor Blarney I’ve often heard my father tell his story about kissing the Blarney Stone at the top of Blarney Castle on a visit to Ireland.
seems Irish luck be with us as St.
lager, trying to create a cocktail
Paddy’s Day approaches.
version of a snakebite, I think you’ll agree it works just as
Despite having a very Irish
well with the Guinness. For a
surname, I’ve yet to make the trip
snakebite and black add a little
to the Emerald Isle, where, so
Chambord Liqueur.
Despite having a very Irish
they say, the Guinness is thicker,
surname, I’ve yet to make the trip
creamier, ‘better for you’. Until
to the Emerald Isle, where, so
that time, I’ll have to settle for a
they say, the Guinness is thicker,
pint of black back in the Smoke,
creamier, ‘better for you’. Until
though I don’t recall occasion
that time, I’ll have to settle for a
to ever grumble about the taste.
pint of black back in the Smoke,
The best place I know in this
though I don’t recall occasion
fair city would be Soho’s, The
to ever grumble about the taste.
Toucan, named after Guinness’
The best place I know in this fair
infamous mascot. Therein can
city would be Soho’s, The Toucan,
be found quenched pilgrims
named after Guinness’ infamous
with white mustaches chattering
mascot.
amongst a hoarders wet dream of memorabilia. Were good taps
Four Leaf Snakebite
20ml Zubrowka Vodka 20ml Calvados 20ml Cognac 25ml Guinness Syrup* 25ml Lemon Juice 15ml Egg White 2 Dash Peychaud Bitters Method: - Add all ingredients to a shaker tin. - Dry Shake (Shake without ice to emulsify the egg). - Add ice and shake. - Double strain into a cocktail coupe. - Enjoy
Therein can be found quenched
not enough for this basement
pilgrims with white mustaches
haunt, they also boast being
chattering amongst a hoarder’s
once graced by a Jimi Hendricks
wet dream of memorabilia. Were
performance. There’s rarely
good taps not enough for this
a time that ordering a pint of
basement haunt, they also boast
stout is a poor choice. Still, were
being once graced by a Jimi
excuse needed, it seems Irish
Hendricks performance. There’s
luck be with us as St. Paddy’s Day
* To make Guinness Syrup, reduce
rarely a time that ordering a
approaches.
Guinness to 1/4 of original amount
pint of stout is a poor choice. Still, were excuse needed, it
by gently simmering, then add sugar
Initially I made this drink with
at a ratio of 1:1.
29
LE BON CHARITY Text Louise Dubuisson Pictures Chris King Photography
Food for common thought There is nothing quite like getting out of the city, when you can go home for a spot of your mum’s home cooking. When I find myself really scraping the barrel in those days leading up to payday, it’s the best thing in the world to hop on the first train home just to get some decent free grub. How blissful it is to enjoy a hot, hearty meal in a homely atmosphere. It can really warm the cockles of your heart. And that’s exactly what FoodCycle offers those people who can’t afford such a luxury.
Food Cycle started in May 2009
This includes those affected by
as an innovative community-
homelessness, a low income,
based project. And with 24
mental health difficulties, and
hubs across the UK, it is now
loneliness. These factors can
leading the country’s food
affect people from all walks of
waste movement. By combining
life, and one of the beautiful
dedicated volunteers with
niches of the charity is that no
surplus food and spare kitchen
one needs to ‘prove’ anything to
spaces, the national charity
be able to come and eat at the
provides tasty and nutritious
hubs. Their doors are open to
three-course meals for people
everyone, no questions asked.
at risk of food poverty and social isolation.
Clare recently took on the Breadline Challenge, an initiative
Did you know that about twenty
that raises awareness about the
million tonnes of food is wasted
harsh reality of food poverty.
each year in the UK, and 4 million
Think for a moment how easy it
people are affected by food
is to blow a tenner on a meal, or
poverty? By using all that squishy,
even more on just a round of
bruised, wrinkly, dented fruit
drinks in London. Well imagine
I went to chat to Clare Skelton
and veg that is perfectly edible
having to live on just £2.86 a day.
the Community Manager at Food
but that supermarkets can’t
She quickly realised that whilst it
Cycle about the organisation that
sell, volunteers can cook healthy
is possible, “you don’t appreciate
has touched so many lives.
meals for vulnerable people.
the freedom and flexibility that
30
a reasonable living budget allows
makes people feel more part of
of the world’s finest chefs are
you.” Serious planning ahead is
the community, and allows new
cooking up a seven-course feast
essential, and there’s no leeway
friendships to blossom.
in aid of FoodCycle. Featuring
for a pick-me-up coffee in the
the likes of Angela Hartnett and
morning, or a spontaneous dinner
With five new hubs having been
Giorgio Locatelli, ‘Green and
out with your mates. Not only is
opened already this year, and a
Pleasant Land’ is shaping up
this dull, but it also gets pretty
target of eight to be opened by
to be a magnificent evening of
lonely when you have to keep
the end of 2016, they’re well
exquisite food and fun. There will
turning down plans.
on their way to achieving their
also be a silent auction, and the
dream of eradicating food
chance to meet other supporters
poverty in the UK.
of FoodCycle.
and fed over 3800 people since
Fancy getting dolled up to
For all enquiries, contact Tess
they started, what is equally
support a brilliant cause? On 21st
Timothy on tess@foodcycle.org.
impressive is the way in which it
April, at London’s Guildhall, seven
uk or call 020 7729 2775.
Whilst FoodCycle has reclaimed over 146,000kg of surplus food
31
LADY BONBON Text Lexi Rose Artwork Jean Jullien
The Adventures of Lady Bonbon Eavesdropping Dear diary, I recently began working in a hotel. Like all jobs it has its ups and downs, but one of the particular perks of my current position is it gives me a great opportunity for my favourite past time people watching. Last night at the hotel there was
I let them have a moment,
But then she said, "I just want
polishing the stack of knives
to kiss you one last time." "You
nearby. "This is wrong," said
want to kiss me? I want to kiss
the man. “I know," she sighed,
you more. I love my wife."
"I have a boyfriend." The
"I want to kiss you more than
gentleman sighed and nodded,
you want to kiss me because you
"And you have a wife," she
love your wife." This went on for
added. "I know and I love my
a bit. I was running out of things
wife," he added, "but you are a
to polish.
very cool, sexy girl." "And you.
I wandered off to do something
You are great," she replied, "we
else. I came back hoping they'd
are so right for each other."
kissed and gone their separate
a big party, where the alcohol
ways so I could set for breakfast
flowed freely and a fun time was
I had my back turned so I can't
and go home. Indeed, I returned
had by all the guests. As the
be sure what happened, but I
and they were gone. But as I
party drew to a close, I began
think she fell off her chair. I
got ready to close the hotel
to set the room for breakfast.
heard a big crash and when I
restaurant they reappeared.
The problem was, at one of the
turned round she was on the
tables sat a couple kissing. They
floor. I asked if she was okay, and
They asked me where they could
were really going for it. Limbs
she said yes and sat back down.
book a room. Together. I told
were flying everywhere and I
them we were fully booked and
understood then what those "no
Our forbidden lovers then
offered to book them (separate)
heavy petting" signs at swimming
attempted to part ways, agreeing
taxis to their homes. As they
pools are for.
this was a drunken mistake.
parted, the man said, "I'll always
The gentleman was particularly
remember this night.”
The man stopped kissing briefly
admirable by saying things such
and asked the lady, "How old are
as, "you're the sexiest woman I've
Yours,
you?"
ever seen, but I love my wife."
Lady Bonbon x
32
33
LE BON MYSTIC
Aries
Cancer
Indulging in a little retail therapy never did anybody
You have a trying month ahead, and the stars will
any harm, but don’t let your extravagant urges get
not always be in your favour. You will ask all the right
the better of you. You’re after the quick fixes this
questions but it will take time to find the answers
month but you need to dig a little deeper in to your
you are seeking. But it’s nothing a resourceful soul
mind, rather than your wallet, to find that long term
like you can’t handle! Avoid driving down narrow
satisfaction. A new dress or a cool car won’t prove
lanes, you could find yourself with nowhere to
anything to anybody, so don’t be such a try-hard.
turn. Always check the ‘reduced’ aisle of the
Your real friends love you for who you are inside, so
supermarket; you never know what you might
stop flashing the cash and
unearth. And remember, that permanence you seek
just learn to be happy with what you do have in life.
is not always all it’s cracked up to be.
Taurus
Leo
The most depressing month of the year is finally
Do you recall the story of the grasshopper
over and you can feel it in your bones. Shake off
and the ant? Well, they both ventured out of
a grim February by getting active. Try something
their respective environments and become
new like rock-climbing or an intensive self-defence
an amalgamated smudge on someone else's
class. You’ve got too much pent up energy and
windshield. But that shouldn't concern you one iota.
the only way to feel better is to harvest it into
This month is all about the rest of the astrological
something positive. Push yourself the extra mile
cosmos hearing you roar. That's right Leo. It's time
this month and you will be amply rewarded with
to dig in those claws and get back some of that
personal satisfaction and exterior gratification. Be
March mojo. With the mornings becoming lighter
a go-getter.
and the evenings milder comes more time to let that mane flow fierce and free.
Gemini
Virgo
Beware the ides of March, dear Gemini. You are
The great street poet and urban philosopher Ol'
fully aware of your duplicitous nature, using to your
Dirty Bastard once said: 'Off on a natural charge,
advantage your mastery of hot and cold. While
bon voyage…' For you, Virgo, the words couldn’t ring
you are mostly soft as a kitten, you also know that
more true. If indeed you want more pep in your step
sometimes, to get your way in luuurve, you got to
for the Spring then it would be wise to refrain from
be bad… Just make sure you don't sting so bad that
unnatural food colourings and additives through
your honey needs to swim in Tiger Balm to get over
the month of March. But that’s not to say you need
it.
to relinquish on those other insatiable delights. Be sure to keep an open mind for what may come your way midweek. It may have you looking at 2016 in a new light.
34
MARCH 2016
Libra
Capricorn
This month, take a step back from what you are
Fresh air is good for the body, and boy oh boy,
doing. The Universe has been in touch and let
don't you Leos know it this month. As the sun starts
us know that you’ve been too involved lately.
to stay out longer, the urge to flaunt your lion bod
Take some much needed time off and gain some
via London pavement runs gets stronger. Whether
perspective on just what it is you want to be
this sudden health kick is to work off winter flab or
doing. Reach out to people you might have been
increase your Happn hits, we won't tell… Just make
neglecting lately and invite them out for a pint or
sure you don't avoid cultural activities so much you
two, or three… You won’t regret it. Someone in your
start to think Pavarotti is a type of pasta.
entourage needs a little attention, give him or her some heart-felt advice– and mean it! It will make both of you feel better.
Scorpio
Aquarius
So it’s March and springtime has just begun so don’t
Don’t be disturbed by your lack of Valentines this
forget to loosen up. Despite a depressing February
year because love will find you in March. Maybe not
there are brighter times ahead. You’re probably the
love in the traditional sense, but you will have some
type to have given up something you truly love for
of the best sex in your entire life and you will LOVE
lent - chocolate, wine, meat, sugar… and fair play
it. But beware; just as life in the bedroom is working
to you, total respect for breaking through to the
well for you, the roads become a treacherous place.
other side, nothing perturbed your determination.
As you bungle across the road awash with sexual
Just make sure you really let loose this Easter, peel
healing through passing cars, buses and cyclists, you
back that silver foil, pop that cork, sizzle that bacon
may well find yourself in danger, so pay attention.
because you deserve it.
Sagittarius
Pisces
March is all about movement. So go on, move that
Ah, finally! March has arrived. You’ve been thinking
ass! Move house, move city, maybe even move
“I need to calm down” all February long after your
country. The world is your oyster so get your skates
mates have told you several times how wild you go
on, pick up the pace and stop wasting time; you’ve
when someone hands you a gin tonic, scaring every
got to do all the things that you’ve always wanted to
other person in the room with your half-slurred
do. Jump in at the deep end and start ticking a few
declarations of love. Fear no more, March is all
things off that bucket list. Kiss the people you love,
about embracing love and feelin’ yourself. Be fab
and move on from the people holding you back -
and glam and flush your dark thoughts down the loo
they’re only jealous of you anyway. Spring is in the
because they’re so last month. It’s time to realise
air and it should be in your step too! Life is good,
the world needs your energy - and envies it madly.
my friend!
35
LE BON SNAPSHOT
36
LE BON SNAPSHOT
Shot in Brick Lane on a rainy day… © Zak Dimitrov & Ella Hermë
37
LE BON AGENDA
Grimes Grimes is back. With 2012’s Visions, Grimes shot to fame and critical acclaim. With playful and imaginative production, hooks that come at you from every angle, lyrics bursting with imagery, and an undeniable but intelligent pop sensibility, tracks like Genesis and Oblivion were soon occupying every playlist under the sun. Add to that her stunning creative prolificity, her strong and independent voice online, and always incredible visuals, and Grimes is pop star perfected. Returning earlier this year with the banging Realiti, anticipation for this album is nearing desperation. Live, we have no idea where she’ll take the show. With Grimes, anything is possible. We just know that if you’re not in the room at Brixton Academy this March, you’re missing out. Download DICE and check the app for the only tickets with No Booking Fees.
Adele Adele is the biggest artist in the world right now. ICYMI - She smashed every record on YouTube with comeback single Hello, her third album 25 racked up record breaking sales into the millions in just one week, and has been bought by one in 80 Brits. Announcing these extra shows due to demand, it’s the first time she’ll have performed on tour in over four years. With a voice that is simply flawless, an unchallenged talent for writing lyrics that echo with any listener, and songs that will last in your heart for an eternity, Adele is an exceptional artist who’s still just at the start of what we know will be a long career. Don’t miss the gigs of the decade. Download DICE and check the app for the only tickets with No Booking Fees.
38
SPONSORED BY DICE
Wolf Alice Touring the UK this spring after a huge 2015, Mercury nominated Wolf Alice have become one of the nation's most important new bands. Releasing debut album My Love Is Cool in June, they stunned music fans with crush after crush of addictive, driving indie that aimed for your chest and echoed across your lips. Tracks like You're A Germ and Your Loves Whore were all consuming rushes of guitar that burst with ideas and ingenuity. Playing The Forum on three very special nights in March following this autumn's sold out Brixton Academy show, it's your chance to catch the band on a much smaller stage than you'd usually see them. But with so much promise in their repertoire, we get a feeling that this is still only the start ! Download DICE and check the app for the only tickets with No Booking Fees.
Bryson Tiller Bryson Tiller is one of hip-hop's most promising talents going into 2016. Proudly declaring to Rolling Stone "I got that trap and soul" after dropping his critically acclaimed TRAPSOUL LP through RCA, the Kentucky born rapper is seriously hot property, with everyone from Timbaland to Noah "40" Shebib quick to support. Sonically sitting halfway between a jumped up PATRYNEXTDOOR and a toned down Ty Dolla $ign, Tiller is without doubt one of the game's best kept secrets. But that's not gonna last long. Get your tickets now. Download DICE and check the app for the only tickets with No Booking Fees.
39
LE BON ADDRESSES
1. AIDA
7. LUREM
13. 40 COLORI
133 Shoreditch High Street
138 Bethnal Green
32 Cheshire Street,
Shoreditch | E1 6JE
Bricklane | E2 6DG
Bricklane | E2 6EH
Phone: 020 7739 2811
Phone: 020 8127 8338
Phone: 020 7059 9778
2. APPESTAT
8. OTHER CAFE GALLERY
14. RESIDENCE
102 Islington High Street
48 Balls Pond Road
130 Upper Clapton Road, Clapton | E5 9JY
Angel | N1 8EG
Dalston | N1 4AP
Phone: 020 7226 5457
Phone: 077 8726 9499
3. BOTTEGA PRELIBATO
9. QUARANTACINQUE
7 Victory Parade,
45 Rivington Street
45 Roman Road
East village | E20 1FS
Old Street | EC2A 3QB
Bethnal Green | E2 0HU
15. SIGNORELLI
Phone: 020 7739 4995
VINTERIOR 10. THE MERCANTILE LONDON
4. CHOI’S
www.vinterior.co
17, Spitalfields Arts Market,
226 Bethnal Green Road
Lamb Street
DICE
Bethnal Green | E2 0AA
Shoreditch | E1 6EA
www.dice.fm
Phone: 077 2052 4995
Phone: 020 7377 8926
Buy Tickets with no booking fees!
5. CONSERVATORY ARCHIVES
11. THE RESTORATION
JEAN JULLIEN
493-495 Hackney Road
2 Bouverie Road
www.jeanjullien.com
40
Cambridge Heath | E2 9ED
Stokey | N16 0AJ
Phone: 077 8552 2762
Phone: 079 9057 3889
6. MERO RETRO
12. THE STORE
2 Bradbury Street
65 Roman Road
Dalston | N16 8JN
Bethnal Green | E2 0QN
Phone: 020 7686 6807
Phone: 079 0356 9782