Ania Kubow, grew up in Dubai where she won the ‘Outstanding Design Talent’ prize two years running across all schools in the city, whilst studying at Dubai College. She worked in the City as a commodity broker and recently left to focus on Whistle + Bango.
A country bumpkin at heart, Rosie grew up in Surrey and has been living for the last five years in London, working in marketing. With Rosie’s head immersed in branding and marketing and Ania’s in numbers and design, the foundations were laid for their boutique lifestyle and jewellery brand.
We caught up with Ania and Rosie for the latest in our ‘My London’ interview series.
Favourite neighbourhood
Ania: I would rank Peckham quite highly on my list of favourite neighbourhoods. I feel its newly discovering itself, and I love the creativity you can encounter there.
Rosie: I’m a big fan of Notting Hill, you’ve got so much culture from the Portuguese and Caribbean influence. I love nothing more than hanging out at Aklam Road market on a Saturday, eating delicious street food, having a few glasses of wine and listening to whatever live music they have on down there, then I wonder up Golborne Road to find some sweet treats and nose around the shops.
Favourite place for brunch
Ania: I’m not sure about brunch, but the breakfast at Celeste, at the Lanesborough is fantastic. The truffle scrambled eggs are incredible and the room has a huge glass domed ceiling that makes breakfast so elegantly light and airy.
Rosie: I am a big foodie and brunch is my favorite meal of the day! You can’t beat Granger & Co’s miso mushrooms on toast.
Best coffee in London
Ania: Brickwood in Clapham makes the absolute best Cappuccino. I love going there for my morning Saturday coffee.
Rosie: London is THE best city in the world for coffee and I am made of 50% coffee, I adore it, so this is a very tricky question for me. Monmouth in Borough has to be my most memorable.
Favourite gallery or museum
Ania: The White Cube is just so fantastically minimal! Such a great space. The curation is always spot on as well.
Rosie: I have always loved the Saachi Gallery on the Kings Road. It’s never too busy, its big and airy and I always use it as my escape when my head gets clouded. It has never let me down and I always find inspiration in the shop.
Tell us a secret
Ania: We have recently commissioned NYC based Artist, Grace Micelli, to design an exclusive piece for our ‘Artist Range’. We can’t wait to share the design with everyone!
Rosie: I once cried when an order came through… it was from this lovely guy who wanted to propose to his girlfriend with a bangle personalized with the message ‘Will you marry me’, it hit me like a brick wall! One of many very special moments for Whistle + Bango.
Favourite place to shop
Ania: I love having a browse through Dover Street Market.
Rosie: Online! I love chilling in my own comfort, searching Instagram for innovative new brands, with a glass of wine and finding all sorts of cool things. I love feeling like a valued customer to that small brand and knowing I have made a little difference to their day.
Favourite place to find inspiration
Ania: People watching from the cafes in Chiswick is my favourite source of inspiration.
Rosie: Travelling. When your mind can escape your day to day thoughts, that’s when you are free to create. Paris, Amsterdam, Lisbon, in that order.
Best London destination for a date
Ania: At the moment I am really enjoying the Vaults Festival. The artists and comedians there are amazing, and the bar afterwards is just my perfect combination of unpretentious, creative ambience.
Rosie: I have been lucky enough to have been taken to some amazing places. Top three (quite a mix!) might be Pop Brixton to discover new foodie talent, The Ledbury for pure luxury and The Sampler in South Kensington for their incredible wines.
Favourite park
Ania: Is it cheating to say Victoria Park, as that’s where LoveBox Festival is held?
Rosie: Regents Park, you feel a million miles away in there and one of my favourite events, Taste of London is held there each summer so I have great memories.
Favourite food market
Ania: Broadway Market has some real touches of old London. They also have the best Bloody Mary’s.
Rosie: London is the capital of food and we are supreme at setting up food markets. For new discoveries, it’s got to be Dinerama (and Winerama on top!) – genius.
Your sanctuary in the city
Ania: Yoga Union in is the perfect place to unwind.
Rosie: A stroll around Battersea park, and along the river clears my mind.
What inspires you?
Ania: I love seeing people wearing beautiful pieces of jewellery that are bespoke and unique to them. That was our inspiration for launching our Signature Range, allowing you to create any message you like on any of our statement pieces.
Rosie: Leaning about different cultures and religions. It’s easy to forget just how many kinds of people we share this city with. It’s amazing.
This season I’m loving
Ania: Oversized earrings were a huge hit this past LFW17. I love the statement earrings at Emilia Wicksteads show.
Rosie: Flatform boots – they make my legs look skinner which is always a winner.
