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Autumn Workshops and Classes to Book Now

Our pick of London’s best creative courses and workshops this autumn from ceramics to cookery:

Evening Life Drawing with The Royal Drawing School

What: 10-week life drawing courses for everyone from beginners to professional artists. Study a different model each week in both long and short poses, using different mediums and paper sizes under the guidance of a tutor.

Where: The Royal Drawing School, Shoreditch Studios, 19-22 Charlotte Road, EC2A 3SG

When: 24 September – 30 November 2018, Monday to Friday evenings from 6.30-9pm,

Book: £195 for 10 weeks, royaldrawingschool.org

Pleasures of Illustration at The House of Illustration 

What: 4-week illustration courses for all levels. These sell out quickly so book now for November’s Pleasures of Illustration, a gentle introduction to illustration where you’ll learn about drawing, typography, printmaking and pop-up from award-winning illustrator, Merlin Strangeway.

Where: The House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH

When: Thursday evenings from 9 – 29 November 2018, 7-9.30pm

Book: £175 for 4 weeks, houseofillustration.org.uk

Pasta Masterclass at Petersham Nurseries Deli, Covent Garden

What? Petersham Nurseries’ new space in Covent Garden offers a program of incredibly popular workshops – the series of Christmas wreath classes in December has already sold out! Sign up now for an evening pasta class at the delicatessen and learn to make fresh pasta from scratch, as well as a number of Italian sauces and take it home for supper afterwards.

Where: Petersham Nurseries Delicatessen, 27 King Street, WC2E 8JD

When: Selected evenings September – December, 6.30-8pm

Book: £60, petershamnurseries.com

Ceramics Course with The Kiln Rooms

What: 12-week courses for beginners and intermediates curious about ceramics. Learn the basic techniques of moulding, throwing, decorating and glazing and then develop your own project or idea with the help of an expert teacher.

Where: Bellenden Road Studio and Peckham Levels

When: Morning courses 10am-1pm, evening courses 6pm-9pm or 6.30-9.30pm. Evening courses are currently sold out but sign up to the waiting list by emailing courses@thekilnrooms.com.

Book: £280 for 12 weeks (excluding materials, £5 per 1kg of fired pot), thekilnrooms.com

Write and Shine Creative Writing Workshops

What: 90-minute creative writing classes first thing in the morning, led by writer Gemma Seltzer. We’ve long been fans of Write and Shine, having attended one of her first workshops back in 2015. This autumn why not sign up as a member and commit to one morning session per week; the idea is that you harness the creative energy of the morning and create new writing in many forms.

Where: Selected central London locations including The Cafe at Waterstones, Piccadilly, Westminster Quaker Meeting House, Leicester Square, Syrup of Soot, Bloomsbury and Rooftop Kitchen, Marylebone.

When: 1 September – 30 November 2018, 7.15 – 9am or 9 – 10.45am.

Book: £129 for access to each week’s morning writing workshop as well as five self-guided online courses. write-and-shine.com

Autumn School at The School of Life

What: The best of the School of Life in a 5-day intensive course. Delve deeper into your existence considering the bigger questions like how to make relationships last, how to identify professional talent and succeed in the workplace and how to manage anxiety, regret and shame. Curious? Drop in to the School of Life’s Open Day on Saturday 15 September – a free day-long celebration in honour of its 10-year anniversary where you can meet the faculty and get a taster with free talks and drop-in workshops all day.

Where: 70 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB

When: 10 – 14 October 2018, 9.40am – 5pm

Book: £950 theschooloflife.com

Create a WordPress Website at The Fashion and Textile Museum

What: 2-week Saturday course to teach you how to build your own website – whether for a business, blog or personal portfolio. Specially for beginners learn to configure your site, create pages and posts, upload images and videos and apply themes. Illustrator and Photoshop courses also on offer.

Where: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF

When: Saturday 20 and 27 October 2018, 10.30am – 4pm

Book: £180 (or £144 when booked before 23 September 2018), ftmlondon

Paper Marbling 

What: Half-day workshops that teach you the art of paper marbling. Artist and bookbinder Lucy McGrath, founder of Marmor Paperie will lead you through the process and you’ll leave the class with 16-20 papers – homemade Christmas wrapping anyone?

Where: Marmor Paperie, Studio 105, Cockpit Arts, 18-22 Creekside, SE8 3DZ

When: Saturday mornings 10am-1.30pm on 29 September, 20 October, 10 November 2018

Book: £50, marmorpaperie.co.uk

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Edit58 & Molly Mahon Pop-Up Shop

Monday saw the opening of the first ever joint pop-up shop from two of our favourite homeware designers: Lisa Mehydene, founder of online interiors site Edit58, and block print artist Molly Mahon.  Open for one week only (Monday 10th to Saturday 15th September), Lisa and Molly have carefully curated a selection of their favourite homewares from fabrics, wallpapers, table linens, rugs, ceramics and much, much more.

Also available will be Molly Mahon’s new ‘Jaipur Collection’ of hand blocked linens and in the window will be a ‘The Princess and the Pea’ instillation, featuring a new range of collaborative eiderdowns piled high on a vintage wicker bed designed by Lisa using a range of exclusive Molly Mahon block printed fabrics. Anyone with little ones should visit on Saturday morning where there’ll be a children’s storytelling session in the shop. See you there!

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London Art Studies online courses

If all the talk of going back to school is making you feel like exploring something cerebral, then we cannot recommend more highly signing up for London Art Studies online art courses. Pay a yearly, monthly or even a daily pass fee and you can watch over a 100 short videos hosted by art historians on anything from Klimt’s The Kiss to 5 things you need to know about Pop Art.  The videos are always illuminating whilst avoiding unnecessary, complicated ‘art speak’ (which I always think is one of the most off putting aspects of the art world).  London Art Studies was founded in 2011 for a few friends who gathered for lunch and a lecture and you can still sign up for the talks at the Bulgari Hotel but if time is short or you’re not in London on those dates, then the videos are a brilliant alternative (and if you’re ever stuck for a birthday gift, a great present too).

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Danielle Radojcin of 5 Carlos Place/MatchesFashion

Broadcaster, journalist and multimedia consultant Danielle Radojcin is now hosting podcasts and live events at 5 Carlos Place, the multi-venture shop from MATCHESFASHION.COM which launched this week.  Below, Danielle tells about her favourite London haunts.

Which part of London do you live in?

I live in Acton. It’s leafy, there are good parks and I’m near the river. I like the small independent shops and restaurants in the area – the secondhand shops on Churchfield Road, the Middle Eastern grocers and the Chapati Club, which is an excellent Indian.  I’ll stroll through Acton Park down to Chiswick, browse the charity shops (Fara and Fara Kids on Turnham Green Terrace are the best) and check out the antiques shop on Devonshire Road. I go to Foubert’s pretty much every weekend with my kids for ice cream – it’s the real deal.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given and by whom?

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. As told to me by my dear late mother, and, I’m reliably told by my son, Ninjago’s Sensei Wu.

What are your career highlights so far?

I’m proud of the programme I’m working on with MATCHESFASHION.COM for 5 Carlos Place, which includes The Collector’s House podcast on Apple Podcasts, livestreamed debates and exhibitions. I also love teaching the MA Fashion journalism students at Central Saint Martins – I think I learn more from them than the other way around. When I worked at Vogue as editorial assistant, I got to help out on a photoshoot with Snowdon. That was pretty epic.

How did your job at Carlos Place come about?

I was working with MATCHESFASHION.COM on the launch of their in-app interactive newsfeed, and because of my history working on podcasts, from My Big Idea to Violet Sessions, it seemed like a good fit.

What are your favourite fashion items in your wardrobe?

My vintage suede Valentino blazer in forest green, which I picked up at Reign on Berwick Street; my black and white patent Celine boots circa Phoebe Philo and the charm bracelet my boyfriend bought for me at Gray’s Antiques which has the first letter from each of my children’s names on it.

Which website(s) do you look at most often?

The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Cut.

Do you have a secret spot in London that most people don’t know about?

Sion & Moore, a new gallery project focusing on photography founded by stylist Kim Sion and Lucy Moore, the director of Claire de Rouen. Follow them to find out where they’ll pop up next.

Events in September at 5 Carlos Place include a book launch with Mario Sorrenti, a Scarlet & Violet flower arranging class and a talk by Skye Gyngell. Tickets for talks and events in October at 5 Carlos Place are released on Monday 10th September.

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Matilda Goad at Liberty London

We love an inspired pairing and this coming week sees the launch of interiors designer Matilda Goad’s instore installation at Liberty London.  Taking over The Interiors Emporium on the 3rd floor, Goad (who we interviewed earlier this year here) will be presenting a special collection of her signature scallop-edged raffia lampshades in Liberty prints, plus her new pillar lamps, fresh stock of her fluted beeswax candles and other hand-picked vintage items. Celebrating the launch, Matilda will be in conversation with fashion journalist Pandora Sykes on Wednesday 19th September to talk interiors and design.  Tickets will be released online at 8am on Sunday 9th September and we predict that they’ll be snapped up fast!

 

 

 

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Cliveden Literary Festival

Now in it’s second year, the Cliveden Literary Festival has just as starry a lineup of speakers.  From Stephen Frears to Jake Chapman, from Tina Brown to Edmund de Waal and Sarah Waters to Naomi Wolf, the festival really does offer something for everyone.  Tickets are selling out fast so do book yours here.  Tickets are for Saturday or Sunday (rather than individual talks such as at the Hay Literary Festival) and as for food, you can pre-order or buy a Fortnum & Mason hamper, eat at the Astor Grill or take your pick at the selection of food stalls.

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Sophia Langmead works in paper

If we could wish for any present, we would wish for one of Sophia Langmead’s beautiful, bewitching creations.  Mostly made on commission, her past works include paper animal sculptures inside a Victorian glass dome, glorious blooming flowers made out of Belgian 1960s advertising proofs and placed in a re-lined vintage box, a colourful paper carousel with prancing horses and a collection of flowers made out of play scripts and musical scores.

Often made as wedding, birthday or anniversary presents, they are deeply personal and made with extraordinary attention to detail.  If your wallet and/or time doesn’t allow for such a commission, however (bell jar pieces usually start around £2,000 and take around a month to make) do consider Sophia’s readymade works which include her linocuts and pictures.  Prices start at around £115 for a readymade framed picture and £250 for a personalised framed picture (prices can be flexible though and linocuts start at £85).

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Ottolenghi tableware

If, like us, you’re waiting with keen anticipation for the latest Ottolenghi cookbook Simple (released 6th September 2018), then you’ll also be pleased to hear that Ottolenghi are also launching a limited edition set of napkins, tea towels, table cloths and various ceramic platters/glasses.  The table linen is all made from the highest quality, Italian organic linen: woven in the traditional way on a shuttle loom in the northern Italian town of Bergamo (and machine washable!) Designed by the artist Ivo Bisignano with a playful ‘O’ in the centre of each napkin, you can see the linen in use at the Ottolenghi ROVI restaurant and there will also be special Christmas linens on sale later in the year.  Accompanying this linen (and available online mid-October), there are cake platters made in France by designers Jars Ceramistes, serving platters by London based Italian ceramicist BABA and various other glassware and plates.  All are brightly coloured, beautifully made and will add more than a splash of Mediterranean summer to your table.

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Mariage Frères tea emporium

PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN A DATE CHANGE FOR THE OPENING SINCE THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN

 

Covent Garden is quickly becoming one of our favourite eating hotspots in London (our current go-tos include The Petersham or La Goccia, Henrietta and we’ve got our eyes on the new St John Bakery opening this month too).  Now we can also add to our list, the new Mariage Frères tea emporium opening on 12th October in a five-story Georgian town house on King Street. Previously only available to buy at Selfridges in London, Mariage Frères is the tea connoisseurs’ favourite founded in Paris in 1854 by the Mariage brothers. On the ground floor will be a tea shop, the Comptoir de Thé, selling nearly 1,000 varieties of rare teas from 36 countries.  On the first floor will be a Salon de Thé where you can eat breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. On the third floor will be a museum for tea antiques from around the world and on the fourth and fifth floors there will be private dining rooms.  Whilst the official opening date is 12th October (this was originally planned for 14th September but has been delayed), there will be a soft launch from 12th – 19th October when Mariage Frères are offering 50% off all food during lunch and dinner (not available for walk-ins, for bookings only).  To book call 020 7836 1854 or email booking.kingstreet@mariagefreres.com.  Enjoy!

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September Sample Sales

Who: ISSA
What: Archive womenswear sale.  Everything under £50 (please note this sale is CASH only)
When: 6 September 2018: 8am – 8pm & 7 September: 8am – 7pm
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF

Who: Christopher Kane
What: Prices start from £20 for womenswear, menswear, jewellery & accessories
When: 7 September 2018: 11am – 8pm; 8 September: 11am – 6pm & 9 September: midday – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT

Who: Patagonia & Fjällräven
What: Big discounts on all outerwear.  Limited amount of accessories available
When: 8 – 9 September 2018: 10am – 6pm
Where: 178 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU

Who: Charlotte Olympia
What: Up to 70% off womens shoes & accessories
When: 10 September 2018: 8am – 8pm
Where: Carousel Next Door, 35 Baker Street, W1U 8EN

Who: FRAME
What: Up to 70% off all denim & womenswear
When: 13 September 2018: midday – 8pm & 14 September: 815am – 7pm
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF

Who: Margaret Howell
What: Big discounts on all womenswear
When: 20 – 21 September 2018: 9am – 7pm
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF

Who: House of Hackney
What: Up to 75% off wallpaper, cushions, lampshades, fabric & other accessories
When: 22 September 2018: 10am – 6pm & 23 September: 11am – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, (Off Chatham Place), London, E9 6L

Who: Joseph 
What: Up to 80% off Joseph womenswear plus other brands including Lanvin, Mulberry & Marni
When: 28 September 2018: 10am – 8pm, 29 September: 11am – 6pm & 30 September: midday – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT

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Back to School

The summer holidays are over and it’s time to go back to school.  We’ve picked out some of our favourite new kit:

Fjällräven Kånken backpacks are a classic design that was first released in the 1970s in Sweden to help children avoid back problems.  They are renowned for their quality and still today, if you have a defect with the bag, you can send it back to the company for repairs up to a year after purchase. £73 from Fjallraven

 

Veja x Oliver Jeffers collaboration sneakers, 80 Euros

Sunnylife Kidsflask,  BPA free, £16 from MollyMeg.com

Lined notebooks, £3 from Hedgehog Shop

 

Pompom pencil case, £14 from Meri Meri at Smallable

Colour pencils, £8.50  from Hedgehog Shop 

Alice in Wonderland personalised notebook, £19.99 from Papier

Personalised Sigg Water Bottle, £16.50 from Hedgehog Shop

Watermelon lunch box, £8.99 from H&M

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Kirsty Ames & Heidi Sommerau, Founders of Ayla Swim

You might have noticed the bold prints and ruffly straps cropping up on your instagram feed. Swimwear brand of the summer, Ayla seems to be everywhere all of a sudden, with fashion fans from Laura Jackson to Alexandra Shulman helping spread the word. After all, this is still the very first collection from the small London-based brand that includes mix-n-match bikinis and cool high waisted trousers. Here we meet the founders, Kirsty Ames and Heidi Sommerau to talk travel, life on the beach and London’s best summer haunts:

Where’s home? 

Kirsty: I live in Notting Hill. I love strolling through Portobello Market and exploring the vintage and antique shops on Golborne Road. And of course it’s the home of Notting Hill Carnival – a big one for us.

Heidi: I’m a Brixton girl. It’s such a vibrant place full of energy, culture and food. You can’t beat Brixton village…home to Mama Lan, one of my favourite local places to eat.

Where did you grow up and how has that influenced your brand?

Kirsty: I grew up between London and New York but I spent all my holidays in Trinidad and Tobago where my father is from.

Heidi: I was born and raised in Hong Kong, so was lucky to never be too far from the sea.  

We had the idea for Ayla on the beach in Tobago, post-Trinidad carnival, and the prints in our first collection are inspired by the two islands. We are both city girls that grew up loving our time on the beach. We wanted to create a swimwear brand for fashionable, city women who (like us) love to travel and want to feel at their best when they do.

Why did you decide to add trousers to the range?

Our swimwear fabric is super soft (and eco-friendly) and it was important to us that our designs are stylish, without compromising on comfort. We know how hard it is to find swimwear that fits, so our collection is sold as separates and they can be mixed and matched depending on your destination, personal style or mood.

We decided to design high-waisted, loosely tailored trousers to transform swimwear into a statement look. They are perfect for those long, rosé-fuelled lunches and the day parties that roll into the night!

Who is the Ayla woman? 

The Ayla woman may not live on the beach, but she is always planning (or stumbling upon!) her next adventure and wants a stylish but fuss-free beach wardrobe that can keep up with her.

What’s your favourite beach in the world?

Castara beach in Tobago. Trendy cocktails and DJ’s are in short supply but the water is an amazing green colour and there is a restaurant right on the beach with amazing rum punch and fresh fish. We love it so much we named our bandeau bikini after it.

Where are you off to this summer?

Kirsty: We have had a busy summer launching the brand, but I have squeezed in a long weekend in Ibiza and a week in the Peloponnese.

Heidi: I was in Puglia for a wedding at the beginning of the summer and have been enjoying the heatwave in London since!

Favourite cocktail/drink on the beach?

Nothing beats a day of drinking rosé with friends, but we also both love an Aperol Spritz.

Where’s your favourite summer hangout in London?

Night Tales, Mare Street

The Westbourne, but we can’t not mention picnics in Myatt’s Field, Night Tales in Hackney, Netil 360 and Brockwell Lido.

What are you three beauty essentials for the beach?

  1. This Works Energy Bank Sun Flash– you mix it into your moisturiser for a natural glow. It’s perfect for when you have just arrived somewhere and are feeling a bit on the pale side.
  2. Maybelline waterproof mascara – panda eyes is not a good look!
  3. Suncream (the hypo-allergenic kind as Heidi is allergic to most). We will both admit to being sun-worshippers, but nobody wants sun-damaged skin.

What’s in the pipeline for Ayla?

We’ve only just launched, but we are already busy working on our next collection! We will continue to introduce new beachwear pieces and swimwear styles that look great together as an outfit. And of course, a few adventures to test it all out…

It’s goodbye for now…

The team at A Little Bird are taking a break to recharge and make some exciting changes behind-the-scenes. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

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