We’re very excited to share episode seven of our brand new podcast, Home Truths, with designer Yinka Ilori. Available wherever you download your podcasts, each week one of the biggest names in design reveals the secrets, stories and fascinating insights behind their most famous career moments.
Hosted by Livingetc’s Executive Editor Pip McCormac, for the seventh episode he is joined by Yinka Ilori, for a revealing chat about his career path, offering insight as to how he got to where he is today (listen here).
Having been set a project to reimagine an old chair at university, Yinka Ilori started picking up pieces of furniture from the side of the road and upcycling them before it was a mass movement, selling them on for pretty good money. It was enough to inspire him to apply for a Princes Trust loan and launch his ever growing studio, where he works boldly with colour like no one else.
He talks about what it was like to work part time in a high street store to supplement his income from design, how he almost gave up in 2015 and tried door to door sales for one day, and his experience of working in an industry which is predominantly white, mostly middle class, when he himself is neither. Not only is the conversation a way to peek behind the curtain at one of the UK’s most recognisable brand names, there are also entrepreneurial tips aplenty, and advice for how to make it in the industry.
And if you missed episode one, then you’re in for a treat, as award winning designer Lee Broom chats about a career that spans nearly 15 years. He reveals how he went from designing chairs in his tiny flat in Oval with one other colleague, to heading up an international brand sold all over the world. He talks about the thinking behind his groundbreaking Parquetry collection, his eye-catching show-stopping displays at Salone del Mobile in Milan, and the steps he took to grow his business into what it is today.
Episode two, featuring Linda Boronkay from Soho House, includes a revealing chat about how she overcame her imposter syndrome to work her way up at London’s biggest studios.
While Episode three includes Tom Dixon talking about going from being a rebel of the 1980s design scene to gradually working his way up to becoming the godfather figure he is today, with insight into the story behind his famous copper ball pendant.
In Episode 4, Matthew Williamson explains what happened when Kate Moss popped over to his bedsit to pick her outfit, how his relationship grew with Sienna Miller to be mutually beneficial creative partnership, what dinner at Karl Lagerfeld’s was like and why and how he made the move into interiors.
And in Episode 5, Tricia Guild shares her insight into what it’s like heading up Designers Guild for 50 years, how she made the Kings Road cool back in 1970, and the struggles she faced as a woman in business.
Then in Episode 6, Sebastian Cox tells of how he has collaborated with brands such as deVOL and Burberry, how he realised he could do something pretty smart with some fungus he found in the woods, and how he can run a practice that is both ethical and profitable at the same time.
Home Truths, sponsored by Heal’s, is an eight part podcast series, with a new episode ready to download each Monday. We have some huge stars lined up so stay tuned for more interiors inspiration and a glimpse into the thinking behind some of your favourite designs.
Episode Seven of Livingetc’s Brand new Podcast, Home Truths, is ready to download now, or listen here.
