Wayne Hemingway, founder of cult label Red or Dead, began his design career selling vintage wares on a stall at Camden Market in the 1970s. Since he and his wife sold the label in 1999, they have set up both The Classic Car Boot Sale and The Vintage Festival. We caught up with him to discover his favourite haunts in the capital.
Favourite neighbourhood:
London is one big neighbourhood to me. Having lived here for 35 years, I don’t feel I belong to one neighbourhood and I like the fact that they are constantly in flux and transformation. It is a city that doesn’t do “standing still” and that is a big part of its attraction.
Favourite place for brunch:
You’re bloody joking – brunch? A box of dry cereal at my desk, a banana and some fizzy lime-flavoured water. If I had time to brunch, I wouldn’t choose to, I would get out and run with my dog instead.
Best coffee in London:
I don’t like the taste or smell of coffee – it stems from my mum always smoking whilst drinking it. Hot chocolate though, I do like. I always ask whatever vendor to make it strong and hot – the closer to the consistency of bubbling treacle the better!
Favourite gallery or museum:
The V&A. They do things so well. The Bowie exhibition was truly amazing.
Favourite building:
The Southbank’s magnificent Royal Festival Hall still looks as magnificent today as it did when it was constructed for the Festival of Britain in 1951. This is partly a result of great design in the first place with judicious updating and modern interventions.
Favourite place to shop:
Our Classic Car Boot Sale!
Favourite place to find inspiration:
Running through the streets, along canals, along The Thames. A couple of hours running through London at first light always does the trick.
Best London destination for a date:
Anywhere with the lovely Gerardine.
Favourite park:
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I think it’s the best designed new park in Europe in a while – it’s great for families, runners, cyclists, dog walkers, rowers, paddlers, nature lovers…
Favourite food market:
Ealing Road, Wembley. You feel like you are somewhere exotic!
Your sanctuary in the city:
Bed.
What inspires you?
“Design is about improving things that matter in life” – the Hemingway design mantra. Oh, and the team at Hemingway Design and the family of course.
This season I’m loving:
The weather.
