14th September 2016
LDF: Stephen Briars talks Laboratory Perfumes x Zuza Mengham at The Conran Shop
Recently named as the new head of the Conran empire, Stephen Briars is steering the industry-leading brand from the helm - next stop, The London Design Festival.
In September 2015 Jasper Conran stood down from his role as director and the industry was left asking who could fill his shoes. Exactly one year later we’re excited to see Stephen leading the brand creatively, driving new relationships and championing great design. We are more than thrilled to be able to include Laboratory Perfumes’ stunning collaboration with artist Zuza Mengham in Conran’s inspiring list of upcoming exhibitions.
From 15 - 25 September Sculpting Scent will be on show at The Conran Shop on Marylebone High Street as part of The London Design Festival, but if you can’t wait until then check out the incredible gifs created by Ika & Franz.
Ahead of LDF, we caught up with Stephen to find out more about the exhibition, past lives and the future!
What form does the exhibition take? What’s the set-up? What is it about this exhibition that has got you excited?
How long will it run for?
The exhibit launches on Thursday 15 September 2016 and runs for two weeks during The London Design Festival.
Has the shop held any similar exhibitions before?
The Conran Shop locations in Chelsea, Marylebone, and Paris have presented many design exhibitions, launches, and talks over many years. Our commitment to highlighting the best of the world’s brands, and the best creative talent, has been unceasing. For the 2016 London Design Festival alone we are collaborating with creative agency It’s Nice That, design duo Isabel + Helen, artist Jack Killick of the RA Schools, The Royal Academy Abstract Expressionism exhibition, and graphic artist and designer, Charlie Oscar Patterson.
How closely do the sculptures convey your own impressions of each fragrance?
To be honest, it’s the physical sculptures that make the composition of the fragrances easier to understand, and to register the complex ingredients involved in their refined creation. The use of colour transmits the lightness or richness of natures materials, the opacity and translucency conveys their contribution, and those small notes of inclusions, tiny bubbles, shadows of ink, for example, reveal the rare ingredients.
Do you have a personal favourite Laboratory Perfumes scent?
What else is coming up for The Conran Shop this year?
Terence Conran launches a new book in September titled My Life In Design. It’s an inspiring book that presents his contribution to design over the last 60 years. It’s a fascinating visual journey, made all the more interesting to discover how he shaped so many aspects of how we live today. We’re launching it at our newly laid-out Chelsea store with the great man himself. Beyond that, Christmas beckons. This year we have a very different take on the season, a darker moodier, yet very festive delivery….
Sculpting Scent will be on display at The Conran Shop, Marylebone 15 - 25 September, and will be available for sale after the exhibition.
Download the full press release here.
Image credits: Above 1: Stephen Briars, Below 2: Atlas by Laboratory Perfumes, 3: Resin Sculpture (Atlas) by Zuza Mengham for Laboratory Perfumes, 4: The Conran Shop Marylebone.
In September 2015 Jasper Conran stood down from his role as director and the industry was left asking who could fill his shoes. Exactly one year later we’re excited to see Stephen leading the brand creatively, driving new relationships and championing great design. We are more than thrilled to be able to include Laboratory Perfumes’ stunning collaboration with artist Zuza Mengham in Conran’s inspiring list of upcoming exhibitions.
From 15 - 25 September Sculpting Scent will be on show at The Conran Shop on Marylebone High Street as part of The London Design Festival, but if you can’t wait until then check out the incredible gifs created by Ika & Franz.
Ahead of LDF, we caught up with Stephen to find out more about the exhibition, past lives and the future!
What form does the exhibition take? What’s the set-up? What is it about this exhibition that has got you excited?
The Sculpting Scent exhibit launches Atlas, Laboratory Perfumes’ newest fragrance, complemented by its four existing creations. Artist and sculptor Zuza Mengham was commissioned to interpret the physical embodiment of each fragrance. The result is five beautiful, ethereal, and tactile forms.
How long will it run for?
The exhibit launches on Thursday 15 September 2016 and runs for two weeks during The London Design Festival.
Has the shop held any similar exhibitions before?
The Conran Shop locations in Chelsea, Marylebone, and Paris have presented many design exhibitions, launches, and talks over many years. Our commitment to highlighting the best of the world’s brands, and the best creative talent, has been unceasing. For the 2016 London Design Festival alone we are collaborating with creative agency It’s Nice That, design duo Isabel + Helen, artist Jack Killick of the RA Schools, The Royal Academy Abstract Expressionism exhibition, and graphic artist and designer, Charlie Oscar Patterson.
How closely do the sculptures convey your own impressions of each fragrance?
To be honest, it’s the physical sculptures that make the composition of the fragrances easier to understand, and to register the complex ingredients involved in their refined creation. The use of colour transmits the lightness or richness of natures materials, the opacity and translucency conveys their contribution, and those small notes of inclusions, tiny bubbles, shadows of ink, for example, reveal the rare ingredients.
Do you have a personal favourite Laboratory Perfumes scent?
Gorse – particularly now we have those long summer days, its perfect mix of spicy and citrus wears well for me.
In a previous life, you worked with Camille Walala on a project – what was that and how did it come about?
It was a small project for a previous brand, creating panels of her signature artwork to be used as backdrops and furniture for a shop in Galeries Lafayette Paris. It was particular interesting as we didn’t use her creations as direct artworks, more as beautifully adorned materials. The creative team at the brand enjoyed fashioning shelves, doors, and cash desks from the unique paintworks.
What else is coming up for The Conran Shop this year?
Terence Conran launches a new book in September titled My Life In Design. It’s an inspiring book that presents his contribution to design over the last 60 years. It’s a fascinating visual journey, made all the more interesting to discover how he shaped so many aspects of how we live today. We’re launching it at our newly laid-out Chelsea store with the great man himself. Beyond that, Christmas beckons. This year we have a very different take on the season, a darker moodier, yet very festive delivery….
Sculpting Scent will be on display at The Conran Shop, Marylebone 15 - 25 September, and will be available for sale after the exhibition.
Download the full press release here.
Image credits: Above 1: Stephen Briars, Below 2: Atlas by Laboratory Perfumes, 3: Resin Sculpture (Atlas) by Zuza Mengham for Laboratory Perfumes, 4: The Conran Shop Marylebone.
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