This season, we chat with a series of inspiring tastemakers who tell us about their vision of utopia, to coincide with our Spring-Summer 2023 collection: Memories of Utopia.
Kicking off our tastemakers series for the new season, we asked Emma J Shipley what Utopia means to her. Emma is a British graphic artist creating homeware and accessories for nature lovers, dreamers and maximalists. Launching her own brand at London Fashion Week in 2012, Emma has since gone on to win business awards on an international scale, including the WGSN Global Fashion Award for Emerging Brand. With a commitment to protecting the natural world and endangered species at the heart of her business, Emma is a true kindred spirit.
Emma splits her time between her new home in North London and her studio in East London. Her eponymous brand celebrated their ten year anniversary last Autumn with a pop-up shop in the iconic Soho, and is stocked in some of the finest department stores worldwide.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEA OF UTOPIA
If it’s from my imagination then it would be full of friendly wildlife, that isn’t threatened by extinction, humans living sustainably and the sun is always shining…
IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
I had planned to go to Madagascar in 2020 and still would love to go there! It was separated from India about 90 million years ago, so all the wildlife has evolved independently, creating so many unique and intriguing species.
NAME A BOOK THAT ENCAPSULATES ‘UTOPIA’ FOR YOU
Watership Down.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR UTOPIAN SOUNDTRACK?
A lot of Nick Cave, plus Radiohead, Dusty Springfield and Debussy.
WHO WOULD YOU TAKE TO YOUR UTOPIA?
My two darling cats of course! And all my friends and family if there’s room on the boat…
WHAT ENABLES YOU TO THINK COMPLETELY FREELY?
Being surrounded by nature.
TELL US ABOUT A CURRENT PASSION PROJECT OF YOURS THAT ENABLES TRUE ESCAPISM
I’ve started learning the piano as I love music - I’ve only had a few lessons so far but it really frees the mind as you can only concentrate on what you are doing in that moment, all other thoughts and distractions disappear.
UTOPIA SMELLS LIKE…
My favourite Zambezi Vetiver and Damask Rose Candle from my own collection. Is has base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver and musk which are some of my favourites, with other notes of citrus, pepper and rose. Heaven!
UTOPIA TASTES LIKE…
All of my favourite fresh fruits…mango, passion fruit, cherries and strawberries.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PIECES FROM HAYLEY MENZIES’ “MEMORIES OF UTOPIA” SS23 COLLECTION?
I’m obsessed with the black printed silk maxi shirt dress, it’s so easy to wear but is so flattering and makes a statement. The white crew neck tee is a great daily staple that goes with everything (I wear mine with an animal print midi skirt and white Nike Air Force 1s). I also love the Abundant Blooms silk habotai duster, it’s a stunning chartreuse colour with a bold tropical print; I’ll be wearing it this summer with a bikini and a wide brim hat for the ultimate poolside glamour!
Shop Emma's favourites below
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