T Magazine: Phoebe English, London’s Newest Designer to Watch, on Her Hometown Haunts
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Bulletproof vests, smashed cliffs, bleak winter beaches and Victorian mirrors are just a few of the references the British fashion designer Phoebe English draws on in her work. Since graduating three years ago from the master’s program at Central Saint Martins, where she studied under the legendary professor Louise Wilson, the young designer has sought to translate abstract ideas into wearable garments, allowing a certain haunting rawness to linger on the surface. Her collections — which Dover Street Market has carried since her debut in 2011 — feature details such as exposed net pockets, unfinished hems and fabrics that appear turned inside-out. For spring/summer 2015, which she will present today, English collaborated with the London-based print designer and illustrator Helen Bullock and played with the idea of “shedding skin, doubles and built-up surfaces,” she says.
When she’s not in the studio, English is keen to be out and about in London, where she lives in Dalston, in the eastern borough of Hackney. Here, she lists her favorite places to eat, drink, unwind and get inspired.
The Dog & Bell: old-school pub
“I like pubs, mainly because of the history you feel when you are in one. There is a wonderful old pub in South London called the Dog & Bell. It’s like being in a fantastic time warp — you feel miles away from the city when you are inside.”
116 Prince Street, +44 20 8692 5664
“I like pubs, mainly because of the history you feel when you are in one. There is a wonderful old pub in South London called the Dog & Bell. It’s like being in a fantastic time warp — you feel miles away from the city when you are inside.”
116 Prince Street, +44 20 8692 5664
Victoria and Albert Museum: inspiration go-to
“I could happily spend weeks and weeks living in there and still never get bored. It’s an endlessly fascinating place. I love that there is usually nobody on the top floors so you can have the cavernous spaces all to yourself.”
Cromwell Road, vam.ac.uk
“I could happily spend weeks and weeks living in there and still never get bored. It’s an endlessly fascinating place. I love that there is usually nobody on the top floors so you can have the cavernous spaces all to yourself.”
Cromwell Road, vam.ac.uk
Algerian Coffee Stores: tea time
“I’m definitely a tea person. I like to buy my loose-leaf tea in a wonderful shop on Old Compton Street in Soho called Algerian Coffee Stores. It’s a bit like being in the V&A for me, but with a better smell.”
52 Old Compton Street, algcoffee.co.uk.
“I’m definitely a tea person. I like to buy my loose-leaf tea in a wonderful shop on Old Compton Street in Soho called Algerian Coffee Stores. It’s a bit like being in the V&A for me, but with a better smell.”
52 Old Compton Street, algcoffee.co.uk.
London Fields: the head-clearing walk
“You can never get bored walking around London. If there isn’t an amazing building to see, there is an incredible variety of people, characters and dress sense to observe. I love walking from the studio to my home, through London Fields, which is really lovely since they have planted a huge flowering meadow in the middle of it this year.”
hackney.gov.uk
“You can never get bored walking around London. If there isn’t an amazing building to see, there is an incredible variety of people, characters and dress sense to observe. I love walking from the studio to my home, through London Fields, which is really lovely since they have planted a huge flowering meadow in the middle of it this year.”
hackney.gov.uk
Evin Cafe: Turkish breakfast
“This is probably the place in Dalston where I have spent most of my time. I love Turkish breakfast there on a sunny Sunday morning.”
115 Kingsland High Street, evincafe.co.uk
“This is probably the place in Dalston where I have spent most of my time. I love Turkish breakfast there on a sunny Sunday morning.”
115 Kingsland High Street, evincafe.co.uk
Hampstead Heath ponds: a cool dip
“If I can’t go by car to the sea, I love cold-water swimming in the outdoor ladies’ ponds in Hampstead Heath. It’s like swimming in a beautiful remote garden.”
cityoflondon.gov.uk
“If I can’t go by car to the sea, I love cold-water swimming in the outdoor ladies’ ponds in Hampstead Heath. It’s like swimming in a beautiful remote garden.”
cityoflondon.gov.uk
The George & Dragon: the weekend hangout
“They always have amazing music on the weekend. When I moved to London to study, the first thing I did was to have a drink there. It’s still a very special place for me because of this. Whenever I go in there now I can’t help but remember the person I was back then, a fresh-faced 19-year-old from the countryside!”
2 Hackney Road, twitter.com/george_dragon_
“They always have amazing music on the weekend. When I moved to London to study, the first thing I did was to have a drink there. It’s still a very special place for me because of this. Whenever I go in there now I can’t help but remember the person I was back then, a fresh-faced 19-year-old from the countryside!”
2 Hackney Road, twitter.com/george_dragon_
Cushendun, Northern Ireland: the getaway
“I’m going to Paris for sales, but straight after that I am zooming as fast as I can to Northern Ireland to my aunt’s house in Cushendun. It is the closest place to heaven I have ever experienced, it’s so epically beautiful. A lot of Game of Thrones is shot around there; every time I watch an episode I squeak, ‘I know that rock!’ ”
“I’m going to Paris for sales, but straight after that I am zooming as fast as I can to Northern Ireland to my aunt’s house in Cushendun. It is the closest place to heaven I have ever experienced, it’s so epically beautiful. A lot of Game of Thrones is shot around there; every time I watch an episode I squeak, ‘I know that rock!’ ”
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