WTTM
Here we ask designers to take a selfie and give us a glimpse into their lives.
Age: 34
Occupation: Designer and founder of Richard brendon.
Instagram: @richardbrendonstudio
Hometown: London.
Workshop location: London.
Describe what you do: Tableware using traditional artisan methods but with contemporary shapes and designs.
The most important thing you have ever designed: My first collection, Reflect. If I hadn’t designed this, I wouldn’t have created my brand. He taught me all about the history of British porcelain, drove me to Stoke-on-Trent (the center of British ceramics for over 300 years) and taught me the importance of highly skilled craftsmen which are essential to produce the highest quality products. quality. It also gave me the opportunity to launch my brand, as it grabbed the attention of the press and secured me my first wholesale accounts. It has become one of our signature collections for which the brand is truly recognized.
Describe the problem your work solves: Our products are designed to make everyday life exceptional. Never again will a cup of coffee or a glass of water be commonplace! We also ensure that our products are timeless and durable, and hopefully passed down from generation to generation.
Describe the project you are currently working on: We are working one to two years in advance, so we are already designing new products for a launch in 2022-2023, including hospitality projects and extensions of existing collections. We also have exciting new soft porcelain and crystal collections that will be launching later this year and early next year.
A new or upcoming project that we should know about: We are very excited about our V&A series, which launched in September and is actually a development of our original Reflect collection. We collaborated with my favorite museum to reinvent four designs from their archives, adding contemporary and playful touches. There are four saucers, all associated with our iconic Reflect mugs, and four mugs, highlighting the golden age of Georgian ceramics and bringing designs into the 21st century.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: To start with… coffee! I also like having really specialized reference books by my side. Two of my favorites are the Encyclopedia of British Pottery Marks and The Golden Age of English Glass 1650-1775.
What you do when you’re not working: I love everything about food and drink, including cooking, wine, and cocktail making. During our lockdown at the end of 2020, I started to formally introduce myself to wine and took my WSET level 2 exam. I also enjoy exploring the amazing restaurants and bars of London, as well as skiing and watching England. playing cricket at Lords.
Sources of creative envy: Josias Spode.
The distraction you want to eliminate: Smart phones. They are so great for so many things, but life was more peaceful before them!
Concrete or marble? Marble.
Building or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember.
Aliens or ghosts? Ghosts.
Dark or light? Light.