The Camden Collection by ritapetrone

CAMDEN PUNKS COLLECTIVE 89 Talking to comic artist Tillie Walden CAMDEN ROCKS MUSIC FESTIVAL

STREET ART ROCKARCHIVE AT BARBICAN CAMDEN ARTIST Streetstyle in Camden

CSM Designer wins award

PUNK.LONDON A CHUNK OF PUNK

Seat in the clouds

WHO IS THE CAMDEN ARTIST?

THE CAMDEN COLLECTION ISSUE 1

SUMMER 2016

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The Camden Collection WHO IS THE CAMDEN ARTIST?

The mysterious Camden street artist is key here. With additions from CSM fine art students explaining what art in Camden is all about.

HAYA SHIN MAKING WAVES

An insight into up and coming designer Haya Shin, the menswear creator dresses a female model for a photo shoot of ‘boys will be boys, girls will be boys’.

PUNKS, WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

THE CAMDEN TOUR

Discover Camden’s greatest history with Undiscovered London - music, knowledge, food and galore!

WHY SPRAYIN’ IS GOOD

We investigate whether or not having graffiti on buildings can actually help to boost their market price or not.

COLLECTIVE 89

The brand with a message out to help today’s youth.

SEAT IN THE CLOUDS

A gem hidden in Camden Town for students and creative to rent out workspace. This will help any artist to find the Atrium and pursue their career.

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IN CONVERSATION WITH TILLIE

This Q&A with comic artist Tilly Walden who is exhibiting her current work, Comica London at the House of Illustration will appeal to anyone with an artistic streak.

CAMDEN ON A BUDGET

An easy-read on how to spend a sunny day in Camden with a barely-there budget.

CAMDENCOLLECTION.WORDPRESS.COM

The 40th anniversary of punk is here. Including details about Camden Rocks music festival, an exhibition at the British Library and a variation of events happening through the year.

With punk turning 40 this feature questions whether Camden is still a center for the punk subculture, or has it just become another location for tourists?

CAMDEN & 40 YEARS OF PUNK

CONTENTS

The Camden Collection

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The Camden Collection

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Who is the

Camden Artist?

he Borough of Camden is extensive and inclusive. Featuring a range of areas so different it’s almost hard to believe they coexist in the same city, let alone borough. But when it comes to art, with so many galleries, such a strong street art portfolio, and with Central Saint Martins, the School of Art and Design, all in the same borough: what does it really mean to be an artist in Camden? There is no denying that Camden has always been a pivotal area for art. There are many galleries scattered around the borough and Camden is renowned for being home to street art. With local artists regularly adopting a contemporary, rather than a more conventional, approach when it comes to their artwork, many galleries pride themselves in having a concept that aims to encourage young contemporary artists. “Contemporary art is definitely more interesting,” says Patrick McCrossen, a fine arts student at Central Saint Martins, “there is much more freedom, and with that freedom, I find there are more possibilities.” This preference towards the contemporary is visible in Camden. The Zabludowicz Collection, in Kentish Town, is a space that follows a very particular concept in which exhibitions are mixed with events. Likewise, the Camden Arts Centre is also a fan of contemporary young artists and tends to show many exhibitions in the form of installations, as well as offering an education programme. Central Saint Martins, in King’s Cross, is acclaimed as one of the best schools for art and design in the world. It has shaped the

way many artists view themselves and their work, so it should come as no surprise to know that admission is very competitive. Milo Burgess, a fine arts student says that “studying at CSM encourages you to look into what your art is about and is trying to say, rather than just the aesthetics of it.” Burgess, who not only studies but also lives in the Borough of Camden, admitted that, when he first moved to London, his artwork had a much more classic perspective to it, but that his surroundings inspired him to try out other mediums like performance and installation. David Lee, also a fine arts student, described his work as a way of “twisting with philosophy,” but, even though he’s currently more focused on traditional styles of painting due to his artistic pathway, he’s not opposed to the idea of exploring the contemporary. “It’s the new area, and these days people want new things, fresh ideas. Something that catches the eye,” he says. The way in which the Borough of Camden strongly favours contemporary art is evident. From the students that come in and out of Central Saint Martins to the exhibitions shown at the galleries, it almost seems like traditional painting styles have vanished from the borough. But Camden is also widely known for its prominent street art scene. Due to its punk and alternative influences, a number of artists have turned to Camden Town’s walls as a platform to display their artwork. A walking tour through some of the most iconic pieces could take you about 2 to 3 hours.

Although Camden’s street art has a very mechanical, geometric and colourful aura, Lee is of the opinion that this kind of art can be nothing more than simple meaningless graffiti, that has no other purpose than looking cool or showing off the artist’s skills. “It can also be a political shot out. Either because painting on a wall is in itself already illegal or because it’s trying to say something about a political issue,” said Lee. However, Camden is not the only area in the city that is known for its art scene. Burgess says that East and South London are actually better areas for street artists. “Camden is alright, but probably not the best in terms of graffiti,” he reckons. With being such an extensive borough, Camden is known for its ability of being open minded and inclusive. An area that is constantly on the lookout for the next big thing to be a part of. But, when it comes to art, however, it’s very clear that Camden and contemporary make for an obvious pair. It doesn’t matter what platform Camden’s artists may choose to display their artwork on. It’s safe to assume a specific emotion and reaction from the viewer is expected to be triggered from their pieces. “I often say that humour in art is not a laugh,” says Toni Dal, a fine artist, “when artists use humour in their work, it suggests a dire subject matter.” W O R D S: Rita Petrone P H O T O S: Rita Petrone

The Camden Collection

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boys will be boys

girls will be boys CSM designer Haya Shin makes waves in adrogyny with her new collection

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The Camden Collection

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The Camden Collection

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The Camden Collection

M O D E L GEORGIA MOOT S T Y L I N G B Y ANNA JOÅ&#x192;SKA P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y JOANNA WIERZBICA

The Camden Collection

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Art School AFTERLIFE

The Camden Collection

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What are your thoughts on unisex clothes?

our years ago, Haya Shin, a 28 years old menswear designer, moved to London from South Korea to do an MA degree at Central Saint Martins. In June, she presented her final collection at the CSM MA Summer 2016 Show. We’ve asked her a couple of questions about her experience.

I don’t really think there are clothes that can be defined as ‘unisex’. Any menswear designs could be good and suitable for some women. Just like womenswear could be good for men. Especially since, nowadays, guys tend to wear dresses, which is no longer considered to be something ridiculous. I think it really depends on people, what they feel comfortable in, and the kind of clothes they like.

How did you find being a student at Central Saint Martins for three years? It is actually really fun to be at CSM. I have met so many nice and different types of people here. The projects we get are also always interesting, so I have enjoyed my uni life a lot. I would stay for longer if I could.

What’s the story behind your collection? My collection is about 80’s street boys. I researched about boys that were into skateboards or hip-hop during that time. I wanted my collection to express that kind of rough mood, so that’s what I tried to have my own models represent – which I think ended up working really well.

Where does your inspiration come from? It is always different. Sometimes I do find interesting things by looking at other people. Other times, it’s books, magazines or exhibitions.

Do you have a favourite piece?

Which London area do you think it’s the most inspiring?

I like all of them, honestly. But if I had to choose one piece, it would probably be the corduroy coat.

I don’t really know, everywhere in London has a different kind of mood and atmosphere – I have lived in so many places! But I would say I Shoreditch the most because people in Shoreditch have the kind of vibe that I like and inspires me the most.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I might be working at a company as a designer… Or I will have my own label by that time. W O R D S: Anna Jońska P H O T O S: Haya Shin

The Camden Collection

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PUNKS

Where are they now?

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K PU N YEARS OF

CAMDEN ROCKS MUSIC FESTIVAL

P H O T O: British Library

P H O T O: Buzzcocks courtesy of British Library

his year marks 40 years since punk took over London

home to many independent shops, including Punkyfish, a punk store founded in 2000. “Most of our customers aren’t from London”, says Andrea Fejszés, sales assistant at Punkyfish, “around 90% of them are tourists”. Along with the decrease in the number of Londoners in Camden Town, a lot of punk independent shops have shut its doors to business. “Camden is no longer as alternative as it used to be. Instead of independent retailers, there are a lot of high street shops here now”, says Fejszés. But for these small stores, the change of their customers is also affecting the shopping experience. Dea Thapa, owner of Ads, in Camden Town’s Stables Market, says that, before, when punks used to shop around the area more often, they’d have little to no problem in purchasing expensive items. “Tourists never want to spend much money”, he says. It’s becoming rarer and rarer to find a true London punk wandering around the streets of Camden Town. But, considering the Queen has given Punk.London her blessing, it’s safe to assume Camden and its punk influence is not as strong and relevant as it once was. The area is oversaturated with tourists who are attracted to all of the different subcultures Camden now holds. Fejszés says, “punks still come here to have fun, but I’m not sure about shopping anymore”. Somehow, while the spirit may remain, it’s as though either Camden Town or the movement of rebellion has become mainstream. W O R D S: Rita Petrone

and started shaping fashion, music and lifestyle ideologies. Centred around the music genre, punk embodies difference and is all about one’s individual freedom to express themselves. To celebrate the birthday of one of London’s most prominent subcultures, the city’s most cultural organisations have partnered to create Punk.London, a year-long programme of events around London. Having been considered London’s capital of punk and alternative styles, Camden Town’s connection to punk is still very strong. But, after 40 years, are London’s punk enthusiasts still around, or has Camden Town been saturated and overflowed with tourists? Punk has now been around for 40 years. Punk.London described it as a movement that allowed people to “express themselves without deference, to invent without fear, and to create without borders”. And even though it has definitely hit its peak, punk still holds a massive influence over London, and Camden in particular. From The Sex Pistols to Vivienne Westwood, punk left its mark on a generation that believed in experimenting, being different, expressive and, above all, rebelling against everything. “The story of punk is an interesting one and it raises many issues that are still relevant today, such as censorship versus freedom of expression”, says Stephen Cleary, lead curator at the British Library. Today, due to its alternative aura and open-mindedness, it’s no secret that Camden Town is a vital stop for tourists. The area is

The Camden Collection

PUNK.LONDON

When thinking about youth culture, the Sex Pistols and Ramones,

Camden celebrates its 40th anniversary of the punk movement. The Camden Rocks music festival will make a reappearance for the fifth time this year on Saturday June 4. The festival saw The Libertines Pete Doherty and Carl Barat headline the 2009 festival. Last year it boasted Bullet For My Valentine as the headlining act - a secret that was only revealed two weeks before the show. This year the one-day festival hosts over 200 hundred bands in 20 reputable music venues in Camden such as the Electric Ballroom, Dingwalls and Barfly. The line-up includes punk, rock, metal and indie bands Carl Barat & The Jackals, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Zebrahead to name a few and lots of up new bands new to the rock ‘n’ roll scene. Camden Town has seen many legendary faces play in its esteemed venues such as Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, The Who, Oasis, Blur and The Strokes and the Camden Rocks festival gives young musicians the chance to grace the same stages as the musical legends before them. Tickets are available at camdenrocksfestival.com for £35 inclusive of booking fees and shows begin from 12pm on Saturday June 4. W O R D S: Kiran Boparai

punk has never disappeared from the picture. With Punk.London, supported by the Mayor of London, a year-long festival of events is going to take place to celebrate 40 years of British Punk revolution. Events are spread all over the city and visitors can experience a subversive culture remarkable for its ripped jeans, safety pins and provoking outrage coming together to honour and revive. “Most people are wrongly persuaded that Punk identifies solely with a music genre from the 70’s and 80’s”, says Gaia De Siena, 24, assistant at the Punk-inspired Jewellery brand Maria Francesca Pepe. “‘Punk gave rise to many other genres and subcultures for years to come until today”, she adds. The anniversary celebration provides culture vultures with festivals, gigs, exhibitions and movies over a ten-month period until late November. “One of the great events happening at Punk. London is an exhibition themed around British punk from 1976 to 1978 at the British library. It showcases photographs and artefacts, which are fantastic.”, says Mike Clewley, 35, who works at the culture tourism office at Punk.London. Punk has not only introduced a rebellious music genre but has also introduced the DIY ethos and gave cut-up clothes a new definition. “Just think of Riot grrrl and post-punk, all cultures are still very alive and popular among youngsters today”, explains Gaia De Siena. From Vivienne Westwood to Alexander McQueen, there are some bold fashion (no caps needed) exhibitions taking place within the scope of London Collections: Men between the 10th and 13th of June in which hungry fashion visitors can expect highlights in haute couture and street style to let arise the late 70’s movement. Punk.London offers fanatics to host their own events at www.punk. london/diy. W O R D S: Isabella Tombinski-Robb

PUNK 40 AT BRITISH LIBRARY As punk turns 40, the British Library is showing Punk 1976-78, a free exhibition open until 2 October 2016. As a part of the year-long Punk.London and its hashtag #punk40, the project aims to tell the story of the early stages of punk, as well as how it has influenced and impacted generations ever since. Stephen Cleary, one of the curators, says they “wanted to take the opportunity to showcase the Library’s collections of punk-era fanzines, vinyl records and broadcast audio”. The references to the Sex Pistols raise many issues that are still relevant today, says Cleary, such as censorship versus freedom. Punk 1976-78 aims to display punk as a powerful influence and a radical music, artistic, fashion and political movement. “I hope to remind people that the Library is a living repository for contemporary British culture, in all its forms”, says Cleary, “it was very important that the exhibition is free as we want as wide an audience as possible. We are hoping to attract a young audience as well as people who were around at the time”. A pop-up shop, lent by the Mick Jones Rock & Roll Public Library, makes it possible to experience a 70s listening booth and a punkthemed polaroid picture taken of you. Purchases from a collection of items and exclusive prints are available. W O R D S: Rita Petrone

P H O T O: Punk London

The Camden Collection

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THE CAMDEN MARKETS

and music legends tour

hat better time is there than now to explore the town where the roots of the rebellious punk movement flourished? As Camden celebrates 40 years of its punk heritage, Camden Markets and Music Legends tour hosted by Undiscovered London shows you the gems of Camden Town. Undiscovered London is the brainchild of duo Sam and Marco, launched as a means of introducing tourists to the lesser known but more vibrant spots of Camden “The first tour was the Camden Pub Crawl, which was designed to give people new to London an affordable way of meeting people while introducing them to Camden’s unique nightlife and live music scene,” explains Jesse Benard, Operations Manager at Undiscovered London. Today, a number of tours are available through Undiscovered London including the Camden Pub Crawl, the Free London Walking Tour, and the Camden Markets and Music Legends Tour. Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday the team set out to meet their tour group outside popular nightclub Koko London where an impressive number of famous faces have played – including The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Prince and Oasis. The tour kicks off with a cheery smile, a brief background of Koko London and a live rendition of a legendary song. “With this tour we wanted the chance to walk people through the musical history of Camden, explaining how it’s shaped the area’s character and just how influential Camden has been and still is as a live music centre – something we can’t do in the evenings when people are partying together.” Benard says. Further on, other hidden gems are brought to light including pubs The Earl of Camden, The Good Mixer and The Dublin

Castle – which gained prominence when the band Madness began to play there. Amy Winehouse was also an avid fan of the pub, often stopping to serve drinks to the customers whilst playing her gigs. Other musical hotspots on the tour include the Electric Ballroom, The Roundhouse and Dingwalls with brief but captivating accounts of the history behind the iconic venues and a selection of songs from the famed faces that graced their stages. But the tour wouldn’t be living up to its name if it didn’t show you the many quirky markets of Camden Town. Bernard explains that, “We didn’t want to just rush people through so we give them time to look around and we recommend our favourite stalls, while explaining the history and how the markets are changing.” The markets boast a remarkable amount of culture and exceptional food available to sample as well as glamorous vintage clothing. It is advisable to have cash on hand as the vast majority of the market stalls will not accept cards, but this just adds to the novelty of the Camden markets. Mateo Costa, 28, a tourist spending a few weeks in London says that, “Before the tour, I knew that Camden was an exciting place to visit but I had no idea just how exciting its history was. I never knew that there were this many famous musicians who played here. I think it’s well worth the visit.” The tour takes 2 hours and guests are given an in-depth history of Camden Town whilst enjoying the scenery and being treated to live music throughout. Tickets cost £12 when booked online and £14 when bought at the door and can be bought at undiscoveredlondon.com. W O R D S: Kiran Boparai P H O T O S: Kiran Boparai

The Camden Collection

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Why sprayin’ is actually economically good...

hen thinking of graffiti, most people refer to it as crime and disorder and a form of tainted art. Whoever said that was actually wrong. A recent study published by the University of Warwick, has proved that street art being tagged with #art and shared on Flickr increased property prices in some of London’s most deprived urban neighbourhoods. For The Real Art of Street Art, an organisation to support street artists across London, it’s not an unlikely thing, “It increases the value of properties if it is done well.”, says Chay from The Real Art of Street Art. While areas in East and North London have become relatively less expensive, Camden Town’s graffiti is thriving. For Jan Kołodziej, 29, it is something that has been bubbling in the underbelly of the street art scene for quite a while. “Every action in the city brings reaction. Street art is a very popular and important part of nowadays culture and makes people want to come to areas where it appears, to take photos, spend time and money around.”, he explains. Everyone who has walked down Camden High Street once, knows about its strong colour vibe, crazy retail shops, mouth-watering food stalls and music scene. There are still some objects that are considered to look ‘weird’ like giant sneakers dangling from the fronts of retail stores; but it’s the murals that make us pause, whether we are disgusted or impressed by them. “A lot of people don’t want their houses to be painted actually,” says Conyboy who sprays for his daily bread and earns his living through private commissions around Camden Town. In the middle of doing a commission for a pub called ‘Oxford Arms’ he talked me through some insider facts, “There is going to be a massive shopping centre in Camden Town. I think property

prices have rather gone up because of that.”, he explains. So could graffiti truly be the reason for a change in property prices? Camden’s estate agents believe that there is something going on in the street art scene in connection to the economic value. “I think it’s very unlikely that it affects property prices but it obviously helps to increase the potential of the Camden area,”, says Jake Sutton, 21, estate agent at Marsh & Parsons Camden. While it is a still an on-going debate whether or not street art increases London’s economy, Camden sparks with its own examples of extraordinary artwork. I spoke to two different street artists, Jan Kołodziej, 29, a landscaper and urban street artist, who expresses his sympathy for urbanism through spray cans and space-invaders, who insisted to stay anonymous, a puzzler in his artwork with a favour for mosaic and hot glue. Find out more about them online:

W O R D S: Isabella Tombinski-Robb P H O T O S: Left; Space Invaders Right; Autone

The Camden Collection

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COLLECTIVE unit 89 stables market Mubarak Mohamud is a successful entrepreneur with a booming brand and a fresh idea to change the course of fashion – but, it wasn’t always looking this bright for him.

“I

stopped going to school when I was 13. There was too much influence around me I guess and I fell in with the wrong crowd. I got into selling weed when I realised how easy it was to make money from.” Making up to £1,000 a week, Mohamud gained the nickname “Monydoublez”, and spent his time with a youth gang named TFH, or Time for Hustling. Growing up on the streets of Camden, he was popular among the local youths, which gained him respect. By the time Mohamud, or Mo as he is known locally, was 17, instead of going to college he was engrossed in the gang life, selling drugs and carrying weapons. Well known to the police for convictions including petty robbery, possession and intent to supply, it didn’t seem likely that he would escape the life he was in. “There were a few things that made me turn my life around, but some bad shit happened and I lost my best friend, I knew him since we were kids. There was a party one night and I didn’t go, he got stabbed in a gang fight and he didn’t make it. It was really hard you know.” Mo started rapping about the drugs he sold and his old life as a way of escaping his past. Becoming passionate about the aspect of performance, he returned to education after 8 years to pursue a degree in theatre studies. No UCAS points meant his course was 4 and a half years long, but he emerged with a new mind set and a fresh business idea. “My dissertation was studying whether theatre works in prisons, so for me it was always about wanting to try and do this rehabilitation project, to try and help people.”

“I swear down that by changing the way you talk it can change the world for you. I want to show people that.”

The Camden Collection

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the brand with a message

camden high street

Mohamud told us how he’s introduced a new concept for the brand which allows him to thrive whilst giving back to the local community. Using ‘training currency’ which is added to the clothing sold, he uses the hours to train local youths in his shop, in a bid to get them off the streets and improve their social and communication skills. This was one of the main goals when starting the clothing brand, which aims to steer young people away from speaking slang. “I think that’s definitely one of the huge barriers for youths today, with slang a lot of the time people don’t take you seriously or they don’t understand you properly. I swear down that by changing the way you talk it can change the world for you. I want to show people that.” With his friend Alice Shirley, who also designs for French fashion brand Hermes, Mo designed the logo and created his brand “Clime It Brothers” using part of his student loan. The name aims to merge a social message of upward mobility with the environmental awareness of climate change. The signature logo image features a polar bear, either climbing a ladder or on a beach with palm trees, with another design of a boat in the sea, which speaks about oil spillages. “It’s simple but it’s political. And the crazy thing is, my dad was always so into politics, but I was the complete opposite, but I guess all this stuff I’m talking about now is political.” With all of his clothing running out of stock within the first week of being in the Collective, Mo told us how business had been good since the opening. “We get some quiet days, you know in the middle of January when there’s no-one here and I’m sat thinking please people come and buy my t-shirts! But I’m excited for the future, and I’m grateful that things turned around for me.” Mo’s brand is sold in Collective 89, the stables market, Camden.

P H O T O S: Rita Petrone W O R D S: Emma Wade

The Camden Collection

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The Camden Collection

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EAT

IN THE

LOUDS

ith a college degree in your bag, the next step is probably one of the biggest life decisions you’ll ever have to make. A career in fashion can be either the one of working for big fashion names or seeking professional independence. Both are doable but the latter asks for a space to grow. The cost of office spaces in London are skyrocketing in comparison to salaries, which might pepper the start of your fashion biz. Co-working spaces have become popular in recent years and are presenting a cheaper alternative to London’s offices. In fact, they tackle the issue right at the very core. Atrium, Interchange’s newest flagship, is a Camden-based

“Flexible work spaces allow to come in whenever I want to. We always exchange our ideas and talk to each other, even if we are all from different trades.”, says Kris Tiemoszowicz, 31, self-employed architect at Brimstone Constructions. Atrium comes with a few jaw-dropping perks, like high-speed WiFi to dip in from anywhere across the space. But it also feeds design-hungry guests with the creme de la creme of interior design; cleverly thought out by Design Research Studio and Tom Dixon. “Special lights to increase mental focus are installed in every office. It makes the biggest difference.”, says Georgie Brooks. Alongside social activities and meeting new people, Interchange’s

“Having people around you that think and act creatively, can only widen your knowledge and passion for the creative industry” co-working space that has opened its doors to young entrepreneurs and creatives across London. With Interchange being owned by Market Tech, their spaces introduce roomers to a brand new concept of working environment. “The image of Camden has gone down in recent years and they are trying to get it back to what it used to be.”, says Georgie Brooks, 25, who works for Interchange. Complementing the two other co-working spaces, Triangle and Utopia, Atrium strikes with its location at Stables Market in Camden. With different membership packages, it includes private offices and flexible hot-desking areas, with a total of 600 workstations.

co-working concept comes all down to one word; support. It is about exchanging creativity and supporting each other’s artistic ideas. When it comes to fashion, Interchange assistant, Georgie Brooks, has her own theory on it, “designers who have done really great, especially in high fashion, all of them were part of collectives. The more you help yourself the more you can grow your own business”. Whether you come up with an idea for a website or struggle with accounting; there are always professionals across the hall, keen on helping you out. Olivia Huntingford, 25, a self-employed painter from Stockwell, doesn’t fancy co-working spaces at the moment, but believes in

the power of working communities. “Having people around you that think and act creatively, can only widen your knowledge and passion for the creative industry”, she says. Whether you’re in the mood for a flavoursome dish from the market stalls below or Atrium Kitchen; indoor and outdoor lunchin’ could be the perfect thing after a long brainy session. The strong smell of mouth-watering street food and incense sticks from the market below can be noticed even on the second floor. With Atrium Kitchen marking the food and drink hotspot of the space, it flares with freshly brewed coffee, perfectly seasoned salads, tangy dishes and drinks to while away the evening. “It’s wonderfully designed with fantastic views and all the amenities you could need.”, explains Carrie Harwood. Membership package prices vary between £40 per day and £350 per month for a hot desk. Prices that are no small potatoes, but come with advantages that include freebies, like food, drinks, and access to the gym. The co-working concept also works in a come and go principle. “If it doesn’t work for them they can give it up and try something different. They don’t have to commit to a sixmonth lease”, she adds. All in all the co-working space comes with some fantastic opportunities for someone in the very beginning of their career. It is a great alternative that offers a kind of second home, where a workout session becomes a daily stress killer, a hot shower your brainy get away, and the desk your space to co-work your business. Nevertheless, it’s up to you whether you want to rob the piggy bank or not. You can find out more at interchange.io

P H O T O S: Isabella Tombinski-Robb W O R D S: Isabella Tombinski-Robb

The Camden Collection

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The Camden Collection

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IN CONVERSATION with TILLIE WALDEN

n Comica London’s 2016 annual comic festival this year, a striking exhibition in celebration of women creating comics from the 1800s up to present was on show for 10 days featuring entire graphic novels, newspaper strips and early works and prototypes from the artists. The works put a twist on the popular superhero comics we are used to, with those of different genres instead – some exploring pain and difficult experiences and happiness and fantasy worlds. Upon the exhibition’s closing weekend we spoke to 20-year-old illustrator Tillie Walden, whose pieces were on display, about her experience in the world of comics.

“That’s a tricky question. I don’t think there is a lack of female creators, and I don’t think there is a lack of excellent stories featuring females. But I do think the system of the comics industry is not kind to female creators, which means that those kinds of stories get less distribution and attention. And this doesn’t even bring up how hard it is for other minorities besides women.”

“Yeah my style has definitely changed. I think the main change is that I’ve gotten better at drawing. I understand how to draw the figure better and my environments have gotten way more proficient. That’s definitely helped my style evolve because it means I can do whatever I want with my art without having to worry about the technique.”

What is the inspiration behind the style of your illustrations and what types of comics do you read?

What is your planning process when you are approached for an illustration and how do you choose which projects you wish to undertake?

“I don’t read many comics anymore, so my inspirations are the ones that I read when I was kid. I was very inspired by Winsor Mckay, Osamu Tezuka, and all the Studio Ghibli movies.”

The Comix Creatix exhibition celebrates 100 women in comics, how were you approached by Comica to exhibit your work and was there a selection process?

Who or what piqued your interest in comic illustration? “If there was a selection process, I don’t know about it. I was doing some freelance work for Paul Gravett, who helped curate the show, and he brought up the exhibit and asked if I wanted to have some work in it. I said yes, of course, and immediately shipped some pages across the ocean to the UK!” Do you feel that women are underrepresented in the world of comics?

“My interest in comics came about after doing a workshop in comics. After that I realised how much I needed to make comics. It just clicked.”

P H O T O S: Tillie Walden W O R D S: Kiran Boparai

As a young artist who has been creating content since the 12th grade do you feel that your style of illustration has evolved or changed in any way?

“I go with my gut. If a project sounds interesting or engaging, I’ll go for it. If it sounds a little questionable or the person who got in contact with me seems a little off, I’ll usually decline. I try not to take on a project or illustration unless it’s worth the drawing time for me.” How and where are your pieces and books available to buy? “In the UK, you can get all my books from most comic shops or online at http://averyhillpublishing.bigcartel.com/. You can also read my comics for free and see illustrations I’ve done at tilliewalden. com.”

The Camden Collection

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CA M D E N

The Camden Collection

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Editorial

TEAM

On a budget!

Isabella Tombinski-Robb Kiran Boparai Rita Petrone Emma Wade P H O T O: Lost In London

he weather is changing and the sun is coming out, so being stuck inside isn’t what anyone wants. However, London can be quite the expense, with travel and food costs throughout the day, so here it is. Tackling Camden on a budget is quite the task if you don’t know what there is to do, that’s why this guide should help anyone on a budget from £5-£20. The first thing to consider is the cost of travel. The cheapest and fastest way to get around London is by tube as Camden is located in zone one. If you’re travelling to Camden by tube make sure you use an oyster card as this is the cheapest way to travel, whereas paying by cash may take you up to a whopping £6.10. Travelling within zone one would be the cheapest option with peak and off-peak prices costing £2.40. If you are a student, prices will be even cheaper as you will get 30 per cent off! Peak times for tube travel are Monday- Friday 6:30am- 9:30am/ 4pm-7pm. Camden provides many opportunities for the public to go out and enjoy a day with no expense. Amongst other parks, Primrose Hill is a gem in located on the northern side of Regents Park with the nearest tube station being Chalk farm, just a 10-minute walk to the park. Primrose Hill has a picturesque view of the London eye, the Shard and the BT Tower in city of London. If a taste of both the city and greenery is where you’d like to spend

a sunny day, then this is the perfect place. All that’s needed is a picnic and you will be set for the day. However, if it’s something a bit more adventurous for lunch that takes your fancy, then take a walk to Camden Lock which is more central to the market. Offers of street food from around the world tingle the senses and is definitely not going to make a huge dent in the wallet. Alike to Primrose Hill, Camden Lock has nature running through it in the form of a canal. The best way to devour ethic street food is to sit by the canal and relax amongst the water. As well as spending minimum pennies on home made goods, the market has countless stalls to have a browse around, with goods that range from little nick knacks to vintage clothes the prices also range from affordable to high. So if your daily budget is £20 then it might be worth considering taking a walk around the Stables Market whilst digesting your lunch. Camden is the perfect place to go to whether it is a summers day or even if there are showers, because of the many shops, parks and variety of sights to see. It makes the word ‘budget’ seem possible.

Anna Jońska Lucy Bates Hope Bradley

W O R D S: Lucy Bates

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