Finding Inspiration at Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke

 Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire Distillery, designed by Heatherwick Studio

Everyone has a different source of inspiration. Mat – for instance – has a proper love for inhouse magazines, which you’ll see popping up on more or less any post he does about weekend relaxing or long train journeys.

My inspiration comes mainly from those people I follow online. Those folks who regularly post content that captivates me for longer than the usual split-second, opens my mind a little, and leaves me slightly jealous of their creative eye and ability. I can’t name check everyone here; but, folks like our friend Jordan and our very own Yasumi definitely deserve a mention – their ability to capture different angles and interesting details in everyday objects is impressive beyond belief.

And then there’s Haarkon; an account I’ve been following religiously for the past few months, checking in every time they have a new Instagram post or blog. These guys have an incredible eye and their content – focused almost exclusively on indoor plant life – has a hauntingly beautiful quality that will stop you in your tracks.

Recently, I tried to mimic their style with my own pic (hey – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!) – and then, when the opportunity came to visit the glasshouses at the Bombay Sapphire distillery, I saw my chance to try and emulate them just a little more.

I’m sure many people reading this will have caught a glimpse of the Bombay Sapphire distillery before. It features two striking glasshouses, designed by Heatherwick Studio (the guys behind the new London Routemaster bus), that seem to grow from the bed of the river that runs through the distillery. Twisting and turning their way into the red brick buildings of this former paper mill, it’s as if these glasshouses are an integral part of the gin making process, drawing up the water for the gin and imparting the essence of the plants they house as it sweeps passed.

They aren’t directly part of the process; but, the glasshouses are a perfect reflection of the gin making method, where a neutral spirit is transformed into something flavourful through the introduction of various botanicals; which – in the case of Bombay Sapphire – include liquorice, orris root, angelica, coriander, grains of paradise, and five others.

Travel | Visiting the Workshop of Monobi in Florence, Italy

 Beste Spa Workshop, Cantagallo, Italy

In 2017 we use Instagram in so many ways; travel inspiration, seek out styling ideas, push our photography skills, keep on track of our fitness progress, connect with like-minded people across the world, grow a client list...the list is endless. I often use Instagram as a way of discovering new brands, and to be inspired by a creative outlook – it brings a world of ideas into our fingertips.

I first came across the Italian menswear brand Monobi last year, when Jordan was invited to take over their Instagram account while he was attending the menswear trade show, Pitti. The name "Monobi" intrigued me, as did the brand's approach to technical fabric and design. Information on these guys was confined to their website and my few passing conversations with Jordan – this only added more to the mystery. 

After a few months of following the brand on Instagram I was met with a message in my inbox, inviting me visit their workshop for a day, to learn more about the brand's influences and meet the people behind the name "Monobi".

A language barrier can be funny thing. It usually goes one of three way; you try your best but end up frustrated, you understand perfectly, or you find it really tricky but somehow, some way, you don't need words to understand the message. My visit to the Beste Spa workshop in Cantagallo was a perfect example of how words can be broken down, and understood perfectly through an experience.

The Besta Spa workshop plays an integral role to Monobi's success; with the design, development, product testing, production and distribution all coming from inside the complex. A complex like no other, too. The 30ft high glass shell is intertwined with dark wooden beams overhead, internal walls made from pale concrete fill in the gaps, and foliage-filled walkways - which look like a perfect match for Haarkon's Instagram feed - all make for quite a special experience. And yes, I am still talking about a factory here!

Hey Gents Magazine

 

In early 2016, in a bid to find an online publication that spoke to me as young man with an interest in great design, I stumbled across Hey Gents.

With a focus on design and style, the Sydney based men's lifestyle website explores products and experiences that aim to enhance the life of the modern man. Under the tutelage of Editor Nick Vodicka, a man who shares my love of a minimal aesthetic, Hey Gents quickly became my go-to source of menswear, grooming, interiors and design inspiration.

So, when Hey Gents announced recently that they were releasing a print magazine I wasted no time in ordering my copy.

Issue 1 features everything from home styling tips courtesy of 'Hunting For George', a guide to indoor plants, tips on men's skincare essentials, a look at modern architecture in the Maldives, an interview with Sydney based menswear label Venroy and plenty more. Printed on uncoated paper from sustainably managed forests, the 72 page publication is perfect bound and printed in their home city of Sydney.

In his Beats One show this week, Apple Music’s Zane Lowe claimed that "when it comes to 'lifestyle' nowhere does it better than Australia". I may not always agree with Zane's choice of music but from what I've seen of Hey Gents so far, I see no reason to doubt him.

Hey Gents Issue 1 is available to order online now - pick up your copy here.

You can find Shaun at - Manimalist Blog | Twitter | Instagram 

Embracing Your Community

 Wearing - Spring Summer Collection c/o Ted Baker | Glasses by Bailey Nelson

Photography by Garcon Jon + Jordan Bunker

We have discussed the importance of creating your own community in previous posts, and for anyone who works in a freelance role I can't stress this point enough. The traditional 9-5 working day carries on evolving, as Generation Y + Z continue to create their own paths – working in professions that even the more savvy of us couldn't have predicted. Things move fast. So fast. But yet, the Slow Living movement is something many of us are leaning towards. I guess it's ironic that "slow living" has been giving a lot of exposure on a platform that you can scroll through quicker than the British Summer.

"What's my point? Get on with it!"...Last week, myself + a bunch of guys – a mixture of bloggers + Instagramers – were invited down to Ted Baker's Covent Garden store, to each style a look from the brand's SS17 collection. When I arrived in store I was pleased to see that Ted Baker had corralled a top group of people to take part – several of them I already class as being a part of my small community.

Each of us, including Oliver Hooson, John Jarrett, Fredrik Risvik, Ashley Morrison, gave our own individual spin on the latest collection. With Garcon Jon on the camera we were in safe hands. Navy, khaki and grey, with a little bit of pattern, was my go-to – giving a subtle nod to my love of Americana and workwear.

For me, the experience of working with a group of people who you respect, enjoy showing support for and feel at ease discussing everyday issues over a beer, is just as important as any given project. I try to embrace + grow my own individual community as much as I can - because without it, my everyday life as a self-employed freelancer would be a very lonely place.

This post is in partnership with Ted Baker. Thank you for taking the time to support the brands + businesses that make this blog happen.

More Buckets - Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest | Newsletter

A Conversation with Ashlyn Chesney of MR PORTER's Style Council

Town Hall Hotel, Bethnal Green, London

It's fair to say there has been a slight shift in my priorities this year. Buying our first house has brought on a whole heap of new responsibilities, and when you add a wedding to the mix (yep, 8 week to go, flipping heck!) – as well as starting up a new agency, Three Letters, with Nik – I have somewhat neglected my regular two-blog-post-per-week goal. 

One of my weekly visits to our capital city was to spend an afternoon with Ashlyn Chesney, the main driving forces behind MR PORTER's Style Council. If you haven't heard of the Style Council, simply put, it's a regularly updated travel, food + drinks guide, as recommended by some of the coolest + most well-connected chaps on the planet. 

I met up with Ashlyn at the beautiful Town Hall Hotel, in Bethnal Green, to find out how she came to be in the role of Style Council Director, where her enthusiasm for design + interiors comes from, how she decides which locations to recommend + a little bit more about the MR PORTER's Style Council.

--------

Mat - Tell us a little bit about how someone from Maine, USA - a state known for its fishing trade and shipyards - comes to work in fashion, travel and lifestyle?

Ashlyn Chesney - I’ve always chosen to express myself through fashion and was encouraged by family and friends to do more with it; however, growing up I actually wanted to be an archaeologist – I wanted to travel and explore and learn about the origin of things yet to be discovered. I also loved creating moments for people and wanted to understand more about what motivates us as a society, the hows and whys of when we can come together and the turning points at which we are motivated to do better/create better/be better…It led me to study business and psychology and eventually move to NYC where I managed fashion events and later worked in the hospitality business.

And where does MR PORTER come in, how did the role as Director at The Style Council come to be? Did the role just seem like a perfect fit for you?

In 2015 I decided I needed a change. I was working non-stop, based in NYC but on schedule with London, NY and LA; I hadn’t taken a holiday in several years and my role had become my biggest fear: a desk job. I decided to move on, visit my mom for the first time since I’d started, and then embark on 8 months of travels that brought me to Paris, London, Italy, Argentina and Uruguay. 

I was introduced to Jeremy [Langmead], MR PORTER’s Brand & Content Director, while I was in London, at Mark’s Club. After learning about what I’d done for work and what I was looking for, he told me he might have a perfect role…he wasn’t lying. As Style Council Director, I’ve been able to take the best parts of what I’ve done over the years and I get to do what I’ve always dreamt: travel the world, work with incredible people to experience new places and help others to connect with the world around them.  

 

Folk Shell Jacket | Beams Plus Long Sleeve T-Shirt | Dickies Trousers | Converse 70s | Persol Sunglasses | Instrmnt 

Watch. All linked items c/o MR PORTER.

 Origami-inspired interior is a really unusual contrast against the original Edwardian building

Printed Pages Magazine Issue 13 by It's Nice That

 

Print is definitely not dead in our household. Over the past few months I've become increasingly obsessed with free magazines, in particularly the ones which brands + stores are producing in-house. I'm constantly impressed with peoples' passion towards creating these mostly-free publications - which can usually be found sitting quietly on till counters or slipped into your bag when you purchases something. 

But, free publications aside, there are a small handful of magazines that I look forward to parting money with, when that release date rolls around. At the top of my wishlist you're likely to find Printed Pages by design + visual communications aficionados It's Nice That.

The beauty of Printed Pages, other than the super cool content + inspiring designs, is their pre-order incentive. If you're lucky enough to get ahead of the game you'll receive your mag a couple of weeks early, along with a whole bunch of free stuff. Issue 13's pre-order includes a Litho poster by illustrator Tim Lahan, a screen print by illustrator James Jarvis, five postcards featuring the issue's best imagery and a set of stickers by illustrator Kate Prior's International Women’s Day commission - as well as you're shiny new magazine.

Not too shabby for £10. Issue 13 of Printed Pages is available here. 

More Buckets - Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest | Newsletter