We caught up with Claire, creator of the Letter Lounge (who will be running an event with us on the 20th May!) to pick her brains on all things fashion, inspiration and the Letter Lounge…

Tell us a little bit about you.

Hello my name is Claire, I’m a creative copywriter living in London and I’m almost 30. I set up Letter Lounge 3 years ago.

Where do you draw the inspiration for your work from?

Letters from my grandparents.

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Small. Sentimental. Silly.

How do you take your tea?

Several times a day – strong with plenty of milk and no sugar.

What encouraged you to start the Letter Lounge and what was your route into it?

A conversation with a friend about how we don’t write letters anymore, and maybe we would if there was a space where we could. Letter Lounge – a space where you can come along to write the letters you never have time for and enjoy a bit of a social.

How do you like your eggs?

Poached. Runny please.

Who are some of your favorite designers/artists/illustrators/authors?

Caroline Glover does some wonderful illustrations (she’s also my best friend) http://www.carolineglover.co.uk/illustration.html

What would your dream outfit be?

Anything a little bit 50s.

What can the public expect from your upcoming Letter Lounge events at Super+Super?

It is really very simple; we bring cake, tea, coffee, paper, pens, and stamps. All you need to bring is the address of the person you’re writing to and a sunny disposition. We even take the trouble to post your letters for you.

What’s your favourite cake?

A homemade scone with jam and clotted cream. Thank you.

How would you spend your perfect day in our fair city?

I’d have my self some fish and chips by the sea, there isn’t much sea in London you see. I’d write a postcard home too of course.

Whats next for Letter Lounge…?

More letters! Some big plans are in the making…

Be sure to check out our Letter Lounge event on the 20th May from 2-4pm - http://supersuperhq.com/2012/03/27/the-letter-lounge-is-coming-to-ss-hq/

For our next installment of Q&A’s we are very excited to introduce you to a collective of ladies called ‘Ladies Like Us’. These lovely gals will be doing some amazing fashion, food, fitness and beauty events with us in the future and we are so excited to be working with them!

Bethanie Lunn - Author of The Modern Girl's Guide to Fabulousness. Image by www.stevestensonphotography.com

Korin and Sasha - Authors of How to Cook in High Heels

Tell us a little bit about you.

Ladies Like Us a collaborative approach between Bethanie Lunn, stylist and author of The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fabulousness with Sasha Parker and Korin Nolan, food and fitness specialsits and authors of How to Cook in High Heels. Together, these fun, refreshing yet informative women teach other busy women with classes, tutorials and videos concentrating on four main areas: food, fashion, fitness and beauty.

Where do you draw the inspiration for your work from?

B: All around me! Real women inspire me after all, I am one! I love turning to the streets as much as I do the catwalks for style ideas and having over 11 years experience in the fashion and beauty industry has taught me a wealth of knowledge including some amazing insider tips and ideas from all sorts of people!

K: I love watching chefs prepare recipes on TV, reading recipes in magazines or tasting something new in a restaurant and then trying to recreate it in my kitchen at home with my own little twist making it easier and more do-able, with ingredients I already have in my cupboard.

S: Growing up, helping in my nans kitchen was mandatory! I used to love watching my nan and granddad throw ingredients together and it has definitely made me more experimental.

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

B: determined, loving and optimistic.

K: ambitious, fun loving and emotional at times!

S: Loud, full of drive and just plain old happy!

How do you take your tea?

B: Builders- strong with 1 sugar please!

K: not too strong, milk, no sugar

S: milky with 1 and half sugars

What encouraged you to get into your fields and what was your route into it?

B: I knew I wanted to write from age 7 when I wrote my first book (ok, it was 10 pages long but that’s a novel at that age!) It was called The Green Cat and my teacher was so proud, she had it bound. I was always interested in fashion and beauty too which started supporting my sister backstage at her shows and shoots during her career as an international fashion model. I picked up so many amazing insider tips this way!

K: I’m a Gemini; a typical communicator, plus I love being creative, thinking outside the box and not necessarily following a traditional route in life. The mad media world suits me perfectly! There’s nothing I love more than being in front of the camera, it makes me feel alive.

S: I’m a born entertainer, I love making people laugh and having lots of fun. I love being over the top at times and nothing fazes me at all, if the people at the next table were taking a picture, i’d probably still smile just incase I was in the back ground

How do you like your eggs?

B: Sunny side up. If the yolk doesn’t run when I dip in my soldier, I’m incredibly disappointed! My fave though is eggs royale, yum yum!

k: Scrambled cooked with chopped tomatoes and fresh parsley

s: Poached with salmon

Who are some of your favorite designers/artists/illustrators/authors?

B: Tom Ford for his entrepreneurial spirit, Mary Katrantzou for her quirkiness. Si Scott for his vision. Edward Monkton for the humour. Me, Korin and Sasha as authors. Ha ha!

K: I’m a high street kinda girl ad live in Top Shop, although I’ve just got my hands on a beautiful Prada bag which is my current pride and joy! As for authors, I agree with Beth!

S: Can’t not agree with the girls on the authors side of things, and in terms of fashion I kind of just do my own thing and not tend to really have any favourties. If I like something I like it regardless.

What would your dream outfit be?

B: Marilyn Monroe meets Sarah Jessica Parker at a Mad Hatters tea party so think glamorous but playful and fun. A tutu skirt with a plain quirky slogan tee that flatters my curves, sky scraper Charlotte Olympia hees and a classic Mulberry tote!

K: A long sleek evening dress that skims my curvy bits, nips me in at the waist and gives me a cleavage to die for…. oh and accompanied by some expensive jewels ..

S: A knee length number thats fairly tight but yes nipping in at the waist, elegant and classy with massive heels!

What can the public expect from your upcoming events at Super+Super?

K,S & B: To come away armed with lots of fabulous tips, advice and ideas on how to be a modern day multitasking woman who aspires to ooze style and gorgeousness!

What’s your favourite cake?

B: chocolate brownies or red velvet cupcakes. It’s a tough call.

K: Banana and Walnut – I love wholesome flavours that are still a bit naughty

S: a good chocolate cake with a creamy centre

How would you spend your perfect day in our fair city?

B: Breakfast al fresco on George Street followed by browsing the charity shops and independents in Hove before visiting one of the quirky coffee houses in The Lanes and getting lost! Admiring the Pavillion and listening to live music in the gardens, oysters and prosecco at English’s then glam cocktails at Merkaba myhotel and ending the night on the beach at So Bar!

K: I haven’t spent a lot of time in Brighton, but I remember this fabulous little cake shop that I can’t remember the name of but I would definitely like to try and find again – so I would look for that!

S: I’ve not been to Brighton so i’d do as much as possible. I’ve heard you guys can get pretty wild in the evenings so be sure to find me in a good bar after my sight seeing.

What’s next for Ladies Like Us?

We want to inspire women across the world and help them look and feel their best and give them the cheats guide to living a full, modern life whilst finding time for number one minus the guilt! We will be hosting classes and events across the UK with Brighton being our first followed by webinars. Our dream is to bring this inspiration, fun and education to your TV screens! See you soon xxx

Gosh darn it! Next up is on the one and only Tom van Deijnen, resident mender and fixer upper who’s workshops begin in April. We can’t wait!

Tell us a little bit about you.

At the start of the millenium I moved from The Netherlands to the UK, to work for a medical systems company in Crawley. About five years ago I knitted myself an 8ft long scarf and I haven’t stopped since. Additionally I have always performed ‘fashion interventions’ to hide holes or stains in my clothes, and that has led to The Visible Mending Programme.

Where do you draw the inspiration for your work from?

Historical techniques and patterns inform much of my work, but I don’t let them restrict me. I have quite a shelf full of knitting reference books and I love spending time at the Knitting Reference Library at the Winchester School of Arts. I have a particular fondness for Elizabeth Zimmermann and Mary Thomas (the one born in 1884). I also find a lot of inspiration in stories of all kinds.

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Focus, patience, detail.

How do you take your tea?

I like a stiff brew, with a dash of milk.

What encouraged you to get into this industry and what was your route into it?

My mum used to knit the most amazing sweaters and she had an eye for detail, but it really kicked of once I found Prick Your Finger, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Haberdashery and Yarn Shop in Bethnal Green. The owners, Rachael and Louise, have managed to truly unleash my inner crafter.

How do you like your eggs?

An omelette with freshly chopped chervil, cooked to perfection (what the French call ‘baveuse’). But I never turn down eggy bread!

Who are some of your favorite designers/artists/illustrators/authors?

In no particular order: Franz Kafka, Louise Bourgeois, Thomas Hardy, Chris Ware, Rachael Whiteread, Giuseppe Penone.

What would your dream outfit be?

I would love to dress up as Edward, Prince of Wales: all tweeds, Argyle socks, Fair Isle slipovers, and flat cap.

What can the public expect from your upcoming classes at Super+Super?

With my regular darning classes I hope to inspire people to wear their existing clothes for longer. Don’t throw them out when they are love-worn; instead, make them the pride of your wardrobe, with a beautiful darn as a badge of honour. And keep an eye out for one-off knitting courses, starting with a The Fitted Glove in the autumn.

What’s your favourite cake?

Either a tangy tarte au citron, or a raspberry ripple meringue

How would you spend your perfect day in our fair city?

Go for a coffee, then a wander about town dipping in and out of charity shops and book shops, do some shopping for a meal with friends. Once home, crack open a bottle of wine and start cooking whilst my friends start turning up, have drinks and food all night and sit on the balcony setting the world to rights.

What’s next for Tom of Holland?

Keep an eye out for The Curiosity Cabinet of Knitting Stitches. That’s all I’m saying for now.

Check out Tom’s blog at www.tomofholland.com or follow him on Twitter @tomofholland

You can book on Tom’s first workshop by clicking the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/200921383342511/

Next up we’re looking at none other than one half of Super+Super, Miss Amy Phipps!

Tell us a little bit about you.

I am originally from Nottingham, but came to Brighton to do a degree in knitting (fashion textiles) and never looked back. I am a freelance textiles designer, stylist and craft tutor and one half of Super+Super of course. My specialism is crochet and traditional hand craft but I love all kinds of craft (except decoupage…. I can’t stand that!). I live in an old fishing cottage that’s bursting at the seams with scraps of fabric, coloured yarns and vintage dresses. My temperamental cat Flo guards my treasures.

Where do you draw the inspiration for your work from?

I am inspired by Vintage textiles, Russian folk artefact and 1920’s circus performers, by artisan craft techniques, and craft techniques that take a lot of time to achieve. I love bright colour and am a fan of a little sparkle!

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Musical, animated, multi-tasker

How do you take your tea?

Black, no sugar

What encouraged you to get into this industry and what was your route into it?

I grew up in playing in my Mum & Nan’s vintage shop (Rags and Riches) and have always been surrounded by beautiful scraps of textiles and dusty dresses needing to be mended. Ideas of nostalgia, costume and the eccentric have always influenced my work

How do you like your eggs?

Poached with Avocado and Marmite on toast.

Who are some of your favourite designers/artists/illustrators/authors?

Roberto Tisci (for Givenchy), Marni, Tim Walker, Fred Butler, Gerhard Richter, Brian Wildsmith, Tove Jansson.

What would your dream outfit be?

A 1920s trapeze costume.

What can the public expect from your upcoming classes at Super+Super?

Lots of traditional hand techniques with a modern vintage twist! Think bright colours, layers of texture and pompoms wherever I can sew them on! I will also be running the ‘Crafty Hen-do & Baby-Showers’ which mean craft+Tea party rolled into one.

What’s your favourite cake?

Chocolate Beetroot

How would you spend your perfect day in our fair city?

Breakfast at Tictoc café followed by a nosey around the many antique and fabric shops…. Next a promenade along the pier and a late afternoon tea and crochet combo at Super+Super HQ with my pals.

What’s next for…?

I am utterly excited to be one half of Super+Super and to be opening our HQ at the end of March! We are offering a vast array of classes and events on a wide range of creative subjects from hand embroidered hankies to how to walk in high heels. It’s my dream come true. Fact.

You can follow Amy on Twitter @missamyphipps

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to the fabulous Super+Super tutors. First up is our regular kids club tutor/textiles/illustration extraordinaire, Catherine Grimaldi…

Tell us a little bit about you…

I am a high flying, lo tech artist and illustrator making children’s books and artworks.

I studied Puppetry, Illustration and Textiles at Central St Martins and combine these artforms to make fabric illustrations. Also one half of TheSistersGrim where I work with my real life sister to create pop-up installations using puppets, fabrics and story worlds – juggling and jigging inherited skills from our namesake “Joseph Grimaldi” the clown.

Where do you draw the inspiration for your work from?

I have always loved snoopy and peanuts cartoons – these are a major influence and also mid century children’s books, fabrics and animation.

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Kind, happy, funny

How do you take your tea?

Steeped but never stewed – milk but not milky.

What encouraged you to get into your industry and what was your route into it?

I always drew snoopy cartoons as I child and my parents gave us endless time and space to be creative as children on the Isle of Wight.

I left the Isle of Wight when I was just 17 for the heady heights of Harlesden where I got a job in High St Kensington and in the following September was at Art College studying on a course with Grayson Perry’s Mrs. I had a puppet making company with my sister and we travelled across Eastern Europe to study the craft – then skipped onto an MA at Central St Martins through the back door.

How do you like your eggs?

Flipped…preferably by Snoopy…even better in a pancake.

Who are some of your favourite designers/artists/illustrators/authors?

Outsider artists across the world – Children – Yoshitomo Nara – Grayson Perry – Tove Janson – Sara Fanelli -Yayoi Kusama – Frida Kahlo – Charles Schultz

What would your dream outfit be?

A snoopy costume

What can the public expect from your upcoming kids classes at Super+Super?

Colour ,fabrics , scissors, tapes – a toolbox of surprises. Chaotic from the outside – super organized from the inside. A space to be truly creative and a supportive and experienced teacher who’s been working in schools for 12 years.

What’s your favourite cake?

How can anyone have the one? If I have to choose I would say a homemade chocolate cake like my friend Judy’s mum used to make when I was 7 years old

How would you spend your perfect day in our fair city?

Cycling, sea, tea, and kisses – followed by a turn on the waltzer.

 Tell us about any exciting new projects you are planning for 2012..

A couple of new children’s books in the pipeline and a host of projects including snail puppets, shadow shows and as many tea parties in between.

Catherine’s super kids classes will be held every Saturday of the month between 10.30-12noon and you can find out more details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/299801033407055/