HIDDEN LONDON By HELEN SKYBAK
LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF LONDON an INSIDERS GUIDE
Helen Skybak is the London based designer of SKYBAK, a sustainable swimwear brand which is designed specifically with the taller lady. IRK talked to Helen to find out what are her hidden gems of London town.
Where do you live?
Islington, London
Tell us something the average person doesn’t know about where you live?
It’s said to be the most densely populated borough in the UK. It’s a popular place!
What’s your Favourite Romantic Restaurant in Hidden London?
Poulet au Pot 231 Ebury St, London SW1W 8UT
The French do romance better than anyone and this beautiful little restaurant is cosy, authentic and the service is great.
What’s your go to affordable Restaurant?
Mien Tay (Vietnamese)
106-108 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP
I love this place because it has a large, reasonably priced menu and the food is always good. It’s also BYO so that tends to keep the overall bill down.
Where do you head when all you crave is some authentic Street Food?
Electric Avenue, Brixton, London http://www.brixtonmarket.net/
I’m a big fan of Brixton market. It’s always vibrant with a diverse range of options. It’s great for jerk chicken due to a large Caribbean influence in the area, but there are lots of other incredible street food options there too.
A Hidden London Bar/pub?
The Groucho Club 45 Dean St, London W1D 4QB
While the Groucho is a private members’ club, it’s worth mentioning as you may be able to still visit as a guest. It’s a Soho institution and is always full of colourful characters. I always have a good night in there!
We all love CAKE or ice cream. Where to go?
Cutter and Squidge for cake or brownies.
There are many all over London so take your pick.
I’m in London for one night only where should I definitely go?
I would say Soho. Having worked there for several years so used to go out there a lot. I was there so much that it felt like an extension of home for a while. I love the rich history, diverse scene and the little jazz bars. For me it’s a place where you can experience the true essence of London‘s nightlife.
Talk to us about a speciality store you use? Bookshop/Record Store/Delicatessen
I am not a big reader, but I often walk past this cute little second handbook shop on Blackstock Rd in Islington.
Tell us a hidden gem, somewhere you always take visitors?
Zedel in Soho is a hidden gem for me. It’s a massive underground brasserie with a vintage vibe. I love taking visitors there and then taking them exploring the small jazz bars around Soho. It’s a great way to experience London’s nightlife without having to travel far between venues.
Shopping. Where would you visit which isn’t your obvious destination and why?
x162 Holloway Road London, N7 DD
It’s a cool vintage store with a lot of variety. They’ve got dresses, shirts, bags, you name it! It’s all sectioned up by decade, so you can find the perfect retro vibe. I’ve bought a couple of gorgeous vintage silk shirts from there, which have been fun to wear tied up at the front with a pair of denim shorts over the summer.
What do you do to chill in London Town?
Nothing beats a long, leisurely lunch in a traditional Hampstead pub to unwind in London. It’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends, put the world to rights, over a glass or two of red wine and indulge in a delicious British pub roast. After a hearty meal, a leisurely stroll through Hampstead Heath is the ideal way to digest and enjoy the fresh air.
Describe your favourite walk in London?
My favourite walks involve a leisurely stroll along the Thames, taking in the breathtaking views of London’s iconic skyline. There’s something amazing about this walk in the morning, watching the city wake up.
Once I’ve crossed London Bridge, I tend to make a beeline for Borough Market, my go-to spot for a perfectly brewed coffee from Monmouth Coffee Company.
After my caffeine fix, I spend the rest of the morning exploring the market’s vibrant stalls. It’s the perfect place to discover hidden gems and support local businesses. There’s always something new to find!
Monmouth
Borough Market London SE1 9AL
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK SERIES
The Little Black Book series is a guide to towns and cities around the world from the perspective of a local personality, designer, creative or cool kid. It’s an insiders guide, a guide that as its written by people who live there, it goes beyond the main streets and areas. It looks at hidden London, Paris, New York and everywhere in between. The Little Black Book goes down the alleyways so you don’t have to, we go south of the river, to the Rive Gauche and find. out about those hidden, little known gems that only a local would know. An invaluable guide to places written by the people who know.
If you think you know your hometown better than us. Or you think we should know about a place. Email info@irkmagazine.com We’re all ears.
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Our editor at large Daniel Syrett, or SYRETT, which the artist is better known as, brings his extensive knowledge of the fashion and art industries to his role here at IRK Magazine. While SYRETT is recognized for his glossy Haute-Couture pieces, Daniel is also the founder and curator of Runway Gallery, the fashion-focused gallery that represents some familiar names from IRK, including our founders, French Cowboy. Daniel may be making his mark on the vibrant London art scene at present; however, his unique style is based on different influences from Daniel Syrett’s past.
After studying fashion at Jacob Kramer College of Art in his home city of Leeds, Daniel moved to Liverpool, where his style was influenced by the alternative creative’s of Merseyside. After successfully launching one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the country, Dan travelled to London to work as a freelance stylist, in a move which saw his career in fashion skyrocket. To date, Daniel Syrett has worked alongside some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including Elle, All Saints, EMI, the BBC, and London Fashion Week. Among his latest collaborations, SYRETT is most recognised for his partnership with True Brit Nail Varnish which is portrayed through his glossy art pieces. SYRETT uses the varnish as a medium to create highly polished, and highly fashionable works of art which expose the intertwining relationship between the fashion and art worlds. This connection is epitomised by his most recent collection in which SYRETT named each piece after some of the most iconic designers, including Alexander, Jean-Paul, Yves and Vivienne, with the latter designer being a frequent visitor to Daniel’s former boutique, Controversy.
As a result of working with these stylish clients, Daniel Syrett has solidified a global reputation as both a fashion stylist and an artist. His work has graced everywhere from New York and Florence, to the pastel-glazed buildings on Miami’s South Beach, where an exhibition of SYRETT’S work is also planned for the near future. It is, however, unsurprising that Daniel Syrett has reached such heights, after seeing his work published in over 200 National and International publications, alongside several other books, including the Booth-Clibborn Edition of the counter-culture book, High Flyers.
Alongside his role at IRK, Daniel continues to make his name in London and beyond, most specifically through Beautalism: the emerging art movement which is shaping the art scene across the capital. As the founder of the Beautalists, Daniel Syrett aims to bridge the gap between the public and the artist and make art accessible to all. This is all in a days work for Dan, who balances his Runway Gallery empire with his work as an artist. With other exciting partnerships launching with the W Hotel, Soho’s Century Club and ROOME, the future for the head of Beautalism looks beautiful indeed.
Biography by Megan Slack, Contributing Editor at Magazine by Runway Gallery.
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