LUCINDA CHAMBERS ‘KINDNESS IS SOMETHING YOU NEVER REGRET’
1
Put in the graft and inspiration will come. I used to think that creative people should be struck with divine inspiration and ideas should just pop into your head. Now I know it’s actually about putting in the work, doing your background research and picking away at an idea. If an idea isn’t working, don’t be afraid of discarding it; move on to the next one and work your way through that. You’ll get there in the end.
2
Think like a comedian. What makes comics so genius is that they voice the things that we all feel, that we all struggle with, or we all delight in. I love sharing things that I think other people will love. That’s why I started Collagerie – it’s essentially a sharing platform for the clothes, homeware and beauty products that I like, and think other people will like, too. Share the things you’re passionate about – and you’ll find other people who feel the same.
3
Nourish your brain. It’s like putting petrol in the tank. If you don’t expose your mind to different experiences, then you’re running on empty. When you go to an exhibition, read a book or watch a film slightly out of your comfort zone, it nourishes you. I think Instagram is a wonderful thing, it’s fabulous to be able to explore so much content, but I think we also need to down tools and look up, too.
4
Kindness is something that you will never regret. Over the years, I’ve worked with so many young people while they were interning. But I know when someone says to me, ‘I interned with you 20 years ago,’ that their experience will have been a positive one. There’s never that moment of prickly fear. Everybody can afford to be kind. So be encouraging, make sure people have a good time with you.
5
Ask questions. I was quite a shy teenager but my mother always told me, ‘Just ask people questions.’ If you ask people about themselves, you’re always going to find out something interesting and discover a way to have a meaningful conversation.
6
Keep a pen and pad by your bed.
I have lots of ideas late at night and, if I don’t write them down, by the morning, I will think, ‘What was that idea?’ but I can’t get it back. Write it down immediately – I like oldfashioned pen and paper – then you can let it go and go to sleep.