Capsule founder Alessio Ascari considers past design movements in contemporary contexts as seen at Milan…
Genevieve Bennett, head of design at Liberty shares her guide to London
Welcome to Cultural Catalysts. A new series from Camron to amplify the ideas, stories and journeys of creatives from across the globe.
These creative segments aim to inspire and give insight. From guides to cities to tips on creative processes.
For our inaugural Cultural Catalyst, we spoke to Genevieve Bennett, Head of Design at Liberty Interiors, ahead of London Design Festival and collaborations with Pentagram and Kartell to find out how she likes to spend her time in the city.
Genevieve Bennett has lived in London for 26 years. “I never get tired of what this amazing city has to offer creatively and culturally. The ever-evolving galleries, libraries, independent shops, restaurants and bars. London can be exhilarating, inspiring and surprising. The size and sprawl of London can mean it can also be very tiring and a little overwhelming, particularly when trying to cover so much ground during London Design Festival.”
How does Bennett conquer the city? “I feel that the secret to getting the right balance in this city is to get the travel right. After many years I can finally say I have worked it out,” she says. “I travel using a combination of my bike, using the ever-growing network of cycle lanes, and the newly opened Elizabeth Line. This line has been a game changer for the city.” Bennett’s previously hot, cramped journey across the city is now enjoyable. “It is relaxing, cool, quiet, reliable and extremely fast.”
I begin my tour of cultural hotspots on my bike in Broadway Market, East London where I live.
Start the day with the best bread in London. I visit a couple of times a week to buy bread and produce. I also go for its tasty, simple meals which are different every day. There’s limited choice and a community atmosphere.
My favourite vintage clothing store – I love trawling vintage shops for inspiration. The store is curated by colour, and is reasonably priced. The perfectly sized store has a lovely mix of vintage from the 1920s to present day sourced from French flea markets, private collections and designer brands.
My recent finds: A 1980s Balenciaga dress, an art deco scarf and vintage YSL belt.
I always make sure I visit Laura Fulmine’s The House during LDF which is a definite highlight for me. Laura describes it as ‘an ever evolving canvas for living’. The space always feels like a discovery moment of design and interior objects, art and stunning craftsmanship in different room settings each season.
Another favourite for lunch, dinner or a brioche and a cuppa. Unpretentious and tasty food with a lovely plant-filled terrace.
A creative hub and multi-disciplinary arts space located in the heart of London. An Iconic brutalist building that has been transformed into a cultural centre. I have experienced some amazing exhibitions here over the past couple of years – spanning art, fashion, music, technology.
A must-see at LDF which is thoughtfully curated and inspiring. This show brings together over 50 world-leading brands, designers, makers, manufacturers and organisations to celebrate the importance of materials and their ability to shape society. Inside the iconic Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s Southbank, there are installations, talks and more around sustainability and circular economy.
Love this Sir Edwin Lutyens building, beautiful bold coloured walls and cover designs of the books. Great spot for inspiration, books, prints, gifts, catalogues and furniture.
Artisan teas and tea ware from China, Taiwan, India, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. This place is special for a browse or tastings. I buy their Family Tea and Green Fuji Sencha.
Genevieve on Liberty’s projects at LDF24:
An installation of the hugely popular Kartell and Liberty collaboration, highlighting the outdoor and indoor pieces within the iconic setting of Liberty.
Karel Martens x Liberty at Pentagram
Liberty and Pentagram will celebrate their long standing creative partnership with an installation at Pentagram’s Notting Hill studio. Insight into the collaborative development of Liberty’s visual identity will be presented alongside the sell-out Liberty Letters collection. The capsule fabric collection produced in partnership with Dutch graphic designer Karel Martens will also be showcased, with film screenings delving deeper into the creative process.
HAVE YOU SEEN
