ECLECTIC TWIST
Luke Edward Hall celebrates the vintage influence of his exuberant aesthetic, while tapping into his love of colour
Be it fashion, interiors, ceramics or furniture, the work of Luke Edward Hall knows no bounds. Hall, who studied menswear design at Central Saint Martins, founded his London-based namesake studio in 2015. Known for his ability to mix textures, nuances, and different decor trends in a unique style, the 30-year-old British designer has already worked extensively with international brands including Burberry, Liberty London, The Rug Company and Richard Ginori.
Why is colour so important to your design process?
Colour has always been a very important part of my work, no matter if I was designing clothes or a room. I’ve always loved colour. There is so much boring beige and grey in the world. I love embracing bold colours—it’s about optimism, I suppose. I find it happy-making.
What is your starting point for each project?
If it’s an interior, I’ll usually invent a story. What is the building like? What kind of atmosphere are we trying to create? Where is our inspiration coming from? When I designed a pop-up restaurant for an art fair in London last year, I wanted to recreate a dining room in an English country house during high summer, so we installed fake windows and had columns topped with vases full of flowers. Once the story is dreamed up, the other things will start flowing: the colours, materials, furniture, and lighting.
Could you describe your personal style? My work for other brands ties in very nicely with my own projects— the approach is the same—
I’m thinking about colour and a sense of playfulness. I often find inspiration in the past, so there is usually an element of looking back to history too. I love myths, legends, and folklore. For example, my recent collaboration with the Italian porcelain company Richard Ginori was inspired by Roman gods and goddesses of the sea.
I love experimenting and learning. It’s always exciting to try something out and work with a material or process I haven’t had the opportunity to work with yet. I would love to have a go at creating some large pieces of furniture! I’m now working on the interiors and art direction of a new hotel. My first book (Greco Disco: The Art and Design of Luke Edward Hall), was also published in autumn 2019.