Luke Edward Hall

The people's Internet search falls into 4 categories: I want to know, I want to visit, I want to buy and I want to do. My searches usually start with the fact that I want to find out something, soon it leads to the fact that I want to visit, buy, and soon I ask myself the question of what I will do with it 😊 . I know this is a confusing start to the Luke story, but bear with me. I'm a big fan of Greek and Roman mythology and aesthetics. So, one day it occurred to me to look for a vessel with painted gods. I discover the Italian brand Ginori and their collaboration with Luke Edward Hall. Of course, my madness doesn't say forget it, one plate costs 150euros, I'm already starting to research about Luke and find a kindred spirit on the other side of the continent (while the items on the list are lined up).

About the Il Viaggio di Nettuno collection with Richard Ginori, he said that they wanted to focus on the sea. The idea was to bring Roman gods, goddesses and other characters related to the ocean among the shells, corals and wave motifs.

Luke Edward Hall is an artist and designer from London who Vogue called a Wunderkind, while others say he has the Midas touch (a term derived from the myth of King Midas who was granted a wish to turn everything he touched into gold). From a young age, he knew that he wanted to work as an artist or that he would work in the design field. He moved to London at the age of 18 to complete a menswear fashion design degree at Central Saint Martins. He soon started a business selling antiques online with his partner Duncan Campbell (who successfully co-runs the design agency Campbell-Rei), as the business progressed, opportunities opened up. In 2015, he founded his own studio and started working on various projects. He has collaborated with many companies and institutions, including Burberry, Lanvin, Christie's, Royal Academy of Arts, English National Opera, Richard Ginori, Svenskt Tenn, Habitat, Le Sirenuse, The Rug company... Luke has exhibited his drawings, paintings and ceramics in London, Stockholm and the United States. His third solo exhibition opened in Athens this year, and can be viewed online.

If novelists write what they would like to read, Luke draws what he would like to see: "I make things that I would like to own; I enjoy living surrounded by my objects and collections of things that inspire me. I'm especially attracted to lively colors, regardless of whether I'm designing a pillow or pants, the first thing I think about is color." His style consists of references, the most obvious being antique ones. The root of his interest is mythology, but in his interpretation, the Greco-Roman tradition becomes a motif on modern objects.

The process of starting work on each of his projects consists of looking through books and old magazines, then he starts to draw and finally tries out different materials. He says that books are his biggest extravagance, and if you follow him on Instagram, you can see for yourself because he constantly finds different books about art, interior design and photography. He says that his favorite artists and illustrators are Jean Cocteau, Picasso, David Hockney, Fornasetti (he owns several pieces of porcelain with his signature, but a chest of drawers from the middle of the last century is on his wishlist, Luke, I agree😊), he singles out Tim Walker as a photographer whose photo he adores. What is characteristic of Tim is the creation of an atmosphere, which is what Luke strives for. Oliver Messel, Stephen Tennant, Rex Whistler, Bloomsbury Group, Wes Anderson, Andy Warhol and Cecil Beaton are some of the names that Luke channels in different ways, he appreciates their attempts to break down the boundaries that existed (and may still exist) between art and design.

When he comments on the fact that maximalism is attributed to his style, he says that he does not see his life as the life of a maximalist, but rather likes to be surrounded by things, likes to have a lot of colors and patterns. What maximalism provides is fantasy, so he assumes that this is why he looks into the past, he likes the possibility that you can create something magical that you can escape into. The times we live in can be quite dark, so maybe that's the reason why more and more people are accepting maximalism, as an escape from everyday life and life in an "ordinary white box".

His apartment in London is a small secluded oasis that at first glance reveals that aesthetes and maximalists live in it. The sometimes green, sometimes pink living room is full of pictures and books that live in every corner of the apartment. There is a mini-library above the desk, which they admit they had to fix several times so it wouldn't fall. The dining room is decorated with Cantiliver-Cesca chairs by the masterful Marcel Breuer. In the corridor there is also a small capital from the studio of Peter Hone ( ! ) and as they say it is only the beginning of the collection of Hone's pieces. In the bathroom, of course, there is a claw foot bathtub above which there is a striking poster of flamingos with Voysey wallpaper.

When the pandemic happened, Luke and Duncan took the opportunity to fulfill their wish and escape from the hustle and bustle of London to the countryside and rent a house in the Cotswolds. I suggest you click on this link and experience life in this perfect English region. They had the freedom to paint the walls in whatever color they wanted, so their eclectic taste was expressed in every room. The house has retained the warmth of the cottagecore style but has come to life thanks to all the details that they brought with them, but it still seems that the kitchen has become the main star. Together, Luke and Duncan designed this royal blue kitchen with interesting architectural details.

In his office, or rather his studio, inspiration is in every corner. A pin board full of pictures and drawings, a table with a bunch of brushes and crayons... And the most important pillars! I found someone just as obsessed with pillars as I am! If you have information on where to find Greek pillars in little Montenegro, you know the address 😊!

Italiju navodi kao zemlju kojoj se stalno vraca i vjecnom inspiracijom. Kaze da su Positano i fenomenalni Le Sirenuse neka od njegovih omiljenih mjesta, a posebno je dizajnirao i seriju posudja za njih ali i nesto odjevnih predmeta.

In cooperation with The Rug company, he created a playful collection of rugs and pillows. Unlike his signature style inspired by Roman and Greek gods, this collection has an animal theme. On the cushions are lobsters, a flock of anchovies and a leopard in motion. He found his inspiration for portriats in the biography of some artist.

With the Swedish design brand Svenskt Tenn, he created hand-painted lamps with strong lines depicting Roman busts. They are also placed on the pillows and there are also trays on which the pillars are placed. He says that his work consists of creating feelings, moods and that this is his way of storytelling. With each collection, he tries to introduce colors and some charming playfulness. Josef Frank said, if you have only white walls, you will be stressed, but if you have colors and patterns, your mind can rest and travel along with the decorations, and Luke's decorations manage to do just that.

His debut collection for Habitat draws on recognizable themes and favorite inspirations, including the circus, Greek and Roman mythology and 1960s color combinations - busts of classical statues and snakes appear on lamps and fringed cushions, while emerald green and azure blue stripes gave the Spencer armchair and sofa a new look. The collection also includes two limited edition framed prints.

His great desire was to design hotels and restaurants. Edward Hall's first Hotel is an unusual, maximalist heaven in Paris.

Madeleine Castaing, David Hicks and Wes Anderson served as inspiration for what the designer calls a "mashup of French and English style". Hotel Les Deux Gares (translated “The Two Stations”) in the 10th arrondissement of Paris is located on the street that separates the city's two main train stations. That location was a key inspiration for Luke, as he himself explains: ''I always like to keep the past in mind for my projects. For Les Deux Gares I envisioned a building belonging to a Parisian collector who spent his life traveling and now decided to open his home to guests. I wanted to rely on the location of the hotel, so I bought French antiques for the lobby and hung travel and club posters from Paris exhibitions on the walls. I mixed graphic, geometric rugs with leopard print and stripes; antique furniture made of gilded wood with lighting from the seventies. The lower half of the walls are covered in bright green, while the upper half is decorated with toile de jouy style wallpaper.

To the comment that the lobby and the hotel itself resemble a movie set, he replies with satisfaction that this is what he wanted and that he hopes to make the guests smile as soon as they enter. And really, if you were looking for a Wes Anderson vibe, this is it! The 40 rooms, which differ in layout, retain a retro feel, although they consist exclusively of modern furniture. The bathrooms are in pastel shades, with floors made of black and white tiles and walls covered with Greek meanders. Male busts of Greco-Roman gods were not missing this time either, the framed prints on the wall in this case wear red berets, symbolically. He also decorated lampshades with illustrations, so motifs such as martini glasses, the Eiffel Tower and berets also found their place. And the gym, I'm sure you haven't seen anything like it anywhere!

He continued this design story in the Les Deux Gares cafe across the street. Details such as the awning at the entrance, the match box completed the cinematic impression of this design story. The product is a classic Parisian bistro but in Luke's way. Thonet chairs, stripes, a red sled, but the real gem of this interior is the ceiling that resembles a turtle's shell and was painted by local artist Pauline Leyravaud.

The Stubbs & Wootton brand from Florida (believe it or not) entrusted him with the creation of a "slipper" collection. I am not sure about the exact name of this type of footwear in our language, but this is a type of informal shoe that resembles slippers. The colors and embroidery on them look phenomenal, and once again, Luke proves that he has no equal in combining colors.

His collaboration with Rowing blazers gave birth to t-shirts, shirts and accessories in vibrant colors, with stripes and embroidered Greek and Egyptian motifs. Pieces on which you cannot put the year of manufacture, because they look modern and vintage at the same time. That seems to be one of Luke's trump cards.

His knowledge of fashion was also shown in the latest collaboration with the Gant brand. He explains how the process of creating this collection also started with research, but this time he researched in their archive. Drawing inspiration from their key pieces, he created new clothes inspired by their history, but using his color palette (if you see pink and green together, you immediately know it's Luke!) and favorite motifs. The result is a timeless collection! Tweed, velvet, silk, pull on the style of the 70s, the atmosphere of house parties with a martini in hand. Popover shirt dress with an illustration inspired by their house in the Cotswolds.........my eyes stayed on it.

What I appreciate about Luke is consistency. I'm not sure if it's by chance or on purpose, but if you pair this Gant dress with Stubbs & Wootton shoes, they go together like they're from the same collection. It is the same with everything that Luke creates. Habitat sofa fits perfectly with The Rug pillows...

In 2019, his book Greco Disco will be published under the auspices of the publishing house TeNeues. This monograph is a scrapbook of Luke's world. His illustrations, inspirations, photos... Definitely a must!

Although Luke's career is at the beginning, and he has already achieved some of his wishes, such as designing a hotel, he mentions that he would like to design suitcases for the luxury brand Globe-Trotter, which I can't wait to see, because I feel that he will channel Anderson's The Darjeeling limited, which he cites as Wes' favorite film. However, I long to see his collaboration with Alessandro Michele and Gucci, I think they share a similar aesthetic.

Finally, I suggest you take a look at his Insta, browse his website, his old blog which is full of some inspiring little things or watch these short clips on Youtube.

Luke, I love you, can we be friends ❤ ?