THE MAKERS, RISK TAKERS, ADVENTURERS, & ARTISANS

The second issue of The Sunday Paper is dedicated to the Makers out there.

The makers who are curious seekers in foreign lands, who are risk-takers, creatives, adventurers and artisans, with stories of places, found objects and often unexpected plans. Makers whose work is deeply linked to a culture and a land.

So, without further ado, meet our tastemakers for The Sunday Paper: Makers Issue.

LAILA GOHAR

Laila Gohar is the food designer creating unique culinary experiences using food as her artistic medium, and international culture and design as her canvas.

Brought up in Egypt by a family passionate about food and the convivial spirit it inspires, her kitchen is filled with an eclectic mix of kitchenware and bowls of dried figs, lemons and limes cover the work surfaces.

Her vibrantly coloured New York apartment filled with paintings, photography and ceramics were a hint at a life spent travelling, and before long it became clear that we had found in her a person whose Sunday memories played a central role in her creative output.

It is no wonder she began her career as founder of Sunday Supper, the former catering company created through a love of spontaneous dinner parties. Laila also confesses that she rarely has a plan, and her spontaneous attitude towards work and life has us dying to know what she will get up to next.

THE KENNEDY’S

The Kennedy’s home is an unconventional space in Lower Clapton where they greeted us at the door, with Huxley the Great Dane in tow.

With rusty pink walls of bare plaster, the house is kept to the essentials: a plant-filled corner with a mix of wooden toys for their one-year-old daughter Clover, a big bed for Huxley, a redwood table handcrafted by James and his father, decorated with a little bunch of ranunculus.

Florence and James Kennedy are makers by choice. After leaving their previous, more conventional jobs, they chose to go full time doing what they are most passionate about: flowers and bikes.

Together they founded Petalon, a flower delivery service bringing bouquets to your door on bikes designed and constructed by James. As they showed us around their home and sunny roof garden we discussed weekend plans, outdoor adventures, flower shows, and the literary festivals.

RANDALL BACHNER

On the outskirts of Marrakech can be found the atelier of former New York fashion photographer, Randall Bachner.

A few years ago Randall escaped the Big Apple in search of a slower lifestyle, and that is what he found in Marrakech, where he founded his clothing brand Marrakshi Life, with comfort and craftsmanship in mind.

With an appreciation for traditional Moroccan weaving practices, and a desire to use this craft to take the country’s sartorial history a step forward, the skilled and smiling weavers of the Marrakshi Life studio spend their days using ancient techniques to create comfortable clothing with an urban twist.

The communal atmosphere and family feel make it clear that collaboration is at the centre of Marrakshi Life. We chatted with Randall about what he gets up to on his Marrakshi Sundays, the difference between life in Africa and in New York, and about his collaboration with Desmond & Dempsey. 

THELMA AND LEAH

In an artist’s studio-cum-family home off a sunny courtyard in Chelsea, we met with Leah de Wavrin and her beautiful baby, Thelma.

Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and family photographs, we chatted to Leah about her Sunday rituals and go-to spots, as well as her company, Thelma & Leah.

T&L is the nappy-cover brand using ethically sourced fabrics and artisanally designed prints inspired by the family’s travels.

Having just moved back to London after spending time in France, Spain and India, Leah had stories of the lessons learnt from a nomadic lifestyle, as well as how important it is for us to leave a positive imprint on our planet while teaching our children to do the same.

In the theme of this issue, we also touched on her use of artisans in the making of her products, and the joy it brings her to see the pride of a maker with their finished handmade item. 

GRILLO DEMO

On the island of Ibiza, through a garden of citrus trees and vines of every type of jasmine, we made our way to the secluded home and studio of Argentinian artist, Grillo Demo.

Grillo first arrived on Ibiza in the late 70’s and it is here that he has stayed through the ups and downs of the following decades, enraptured by the natural beauty of the island’s landscape, and the kindness of its locals.

We spoke in the shade of his colourful patio filled with artwork and listened to his stories as he showed us around the cabinet of curiosities that is his home. He shared with us his passions for painting and gardening, which he marries in his work through his signature symbol of the falling jasmine.

He also told tales of evenings spent with dear old friends, how he lives in a perpetual Sunday state of mind and he inspired us to see beauty in all that surrounds us...