London Insider: Alice Walsh on her month ahead in the capital

Words by
Jane Madden

24th July 2017

Creator of the ‘clean and honest’ accessory line Alice Made This, designer Alice Walsh knows the ins and outs when it comes to simple luxury in our Capital

1. Which galleries/ exhibitions will you be visiting?

Larry Bell’s ‘Smoke On The Bottom’ at the White Cube gallery. I’m a fan of the New Design Museum. John Pawson Architecture makes for a great space.

2. An item you want to buy and where?

I need a new bike! Ilse Crawford’s collection for Georg Jensen is on my gift list.

3. A walk you are looking forward to doing?

My favourite wander is across Waterloo Bridge admiring London on both sides. It reminds me how unique London is every time I walk across it.

4. A new book you want to read?

Kate Tempest’s ‘The Bricks that Built the Houses' is waiting to be read at home.

5. Which bars will you be visiting?

40 Malty Street is my go-to wine bar.

I can’t resist a trip to Frank’s Cafe in the summer. The view is too good to miss.

6. Which cafes?

Rapha’s London cafe is always a treat and I find Duke Streets H R Higgins great for a cuppa.

7. Which new restaurants?

Not so new but I love Peckham Bazaar. Great food.

A new one that is also local to me is Babette. It has a Parisian vibe with a great team, food and atmosphere.

8. Any in the know shops you might go to – florists/ hat shop/ umbrella shop etc.

Simple Shape. Helen Osgerby collects and edits the best of British and Irish design. Carefully crafted things for the home, beautifully made locally. She has a space for exhibitions in Brockley and sells online.

Material - A store full of limited edition artist prints, books, home wares and stationery. They focus on celebrating designers and maker.

Bloom & Wild is my go to for flowers these days. They last for weeks.

For men’s accessories try Tom Smarte for hats, London Undercover for umbrellas, Troubadour Goods for bags, Banton Frameworks for glasses and Haeckles for skincare. Cufflinks and jewellery you know where to go ;)

9. Where might you get a lovely spa treatment done or where do you enjoy fitness?

I try and do a Parkrun when in London at the weekend. It’s a series of 5km runs at 9am on Saturdays in parks all over London. Well organised by amazing volunteers and you kick your weekend off with a buzz.

10. Your favourite hidden spot in London.

Nunhead Cemetery… A little historic gem with woodland and amazing views of St Paul’s and the City.

11. Which play might you be seeing?

Woyzeck at the old Vic is in the diary.

12. Your favourite London brand and why?

'Transport for London' is pretty amazing as a social, visual and graphic history of London.

Patternity' is another fave of mine - Beauty in the mundane and order in the abstract.