Faye Toogood

THE VISIONARY

best known as the British interior stylist turned industrial designer and master of the sensorial.

With a background across artistic disciplines, Faye Toogood brings a dash of academia to everything she touches. She designs objects, furnishings and even clothes to the point where they become fine art; like functional sculptures. “The thing I’m most proud of is the breadth and diversity of the studio, and everything we produce — be it a chair or a coat,” she says. “We are not afraid to have a go.” For her, the gender gap needs to be reduced, but she is hopeful. “It is still a male-dominated environment, and 70 per cent of the top creative jobs in this country are taken by men. This is under-representation. But I believe the future is bright and that gender difference is already being blurred in so many ways.” Toogood sees the warmth of a feminine voice as a positive force. “Women bring instinct and humour,” she says, “and an emphasis on craftsmanship.”