After graduating with a degree in printed Textile Design, Despina did a stint working in New York as a pattern designer for a fashion studio. After deciding that this was not the route she wanted to take, she moved back to London and started interning in the style department at Elle Decoration magazine. During her four years at the magazine she worked her way up to become Style Editor. She was then offered a position as Deputy Interiors Editor at Wallpaper* magazine where she stayed for 3 years before embarking on a freelance career in 2008.
She divides her time between styling and designing sets for editorial titles such as Wallpaper, Case Da Abitare, Surface, Harpers Bazaar, Esquire magazine and The Guardian and Observer as well as working for commercial clients and agencies. She is part of the visual creative team at COS and designs the sets for their windows across Europe. She lives and works in London, sharing a studio space with the concept store Darkroom in central London.
This week I’m working on a shoot based around geometry, testing the fashion week windows for COS, and booking flights to Jordan.
I think they pretty much know what I do- although I say that semi confidently because they still think I get to keep all the stuff I use on shoots (I wish!).
Myself on a good day.
Humour. For sure. I don’t profess to be particularly amusing myself (although I do try!) but if someone makes me laugh, I’m their friend for life. It’s the best remedy. Apparently people who laugh alot live longer. (should I have saved that for the fact question??)
If the Dog Whisperer is on TV then I can’t move away. I’m fascinated by it, although I don’t own and dog and probably never will!
Education always counts! I was lucky enough to really enjoy my course at university. But I have to say it’s the people I met there who’ve been the biggest influence on what I do.
While writing this guest post I’ve discovered I can’t spell the word repeatative.
Banging your head against a wall burns 150 calories an hour? A crocodile only needs to eat something the size of a chicken once a week?
With any luck more great projects and more travel.
It’s always changing although I’m on plan B now and it’s better than plan A!
As I often work within the realms of interiors I thought it would be odd if I didn’t introduce a company who have impressed me with their beautifully designed products over the passed few years. JIA often use materials from their native China, approaching designers from all over the world to work with these local materials. Pictured here is the ‘Zisha’ coffee set which is made from bamboo and purple clay. The latter being unique to China.
I was lucky enough to spend a month in New York in the summer and spent most Saturday morning recovering from Friday nights hangover at The Brooklyn Flea. It’s one of the best flea markets I’ve been to recently for vintage furniture, clothes and jewellery. The atmosphere is really relaxed, good food and great DJs every week. The perfect way to spend a sunny summer day.
Since studying printed textiles I have always loved pattern in any form. The Pattern Foundry is an archive of decorative patterns created by an international selection of designers and artists. The Foundry functions as an open library and patterns can be viewed and purchased by anyone online. The use or application of the patterns is not prescribed and can be altered to the users specifications.
Pictured is Cotton Reel by Richard Rhys.
I used to have a studio in the Tea Building in Shoreditch where Rocket Gallery is based. This is where I first saw the work of German photographer Matthias Hoch. He has traveled all over the world photographing modern cityscapes, facades of buildings and urban landscapes devoid of people. There is often repetative patterns in his work which I find most interesting.
It’s not every day I come across someone with the same name. And when I do I’m obsessed with how the other Despina pronounces her name. In the past I have been called Desmond by friends’ parents and received post addressed to ‘Desiree’ and ‘Destiny’ Curtis. Neither of which I could do justice! But, in Greece it’s a little more common and all the better when they are as talented as the photographer Despina Spyrou. (Read more)
