Three 91 creatives to follow

There is a seriously fabulous group of people beavering away behind the scenes here at 91. My wonderful editorial team as well as a collection of photographers, writers, stylists and illustrators. Now and again, I introduce to you a few of those people, so we can delve into their creative worlds a little. Below we have a mini chat with three lovely ladies, and I encourage you to go follow them on Instagram too if you aren’t already…..!

HATTIE MAUD – ILLUSTRATOR

Hattie is an illustrator and designer who creates paper goods and candles from her home in Yorkshire. Previously she owned a beautiful store called Maud’s House which we featured on the blog in 2018, but Hattie decided to focus on creating and has since illustrated a piece in Volume 8 of 91. See more of Hattie’s work on her Instagram.

If you weren’t an illustrator what would you be and why? 

When i’m not illustrating i’m mostly cultivating and arranging flowers for my floral design business Common Daisy. My true ambition is to become a qualified horticulturist and spend the growing months immersed in the flowers I lovingly grow in Hebden Bridge. For the past 12 months I’ve managed to balance illustrating for clients and developing C.D simultaneously and have some exciting plans for this new venture in 2020 + beyond.

Name 3 of your favourite instagrammers & why? 

@sarah_winward – inspirational floral designer over in Salt Lake City

@barbarys_mytholmroyd – my friends amazing new bar just outside of Hebden Bridge, they serve the best ales!

@angelatrimbur – An amazing lady based in LA whose recently overcome breast cancer. Oozes style and posts lots of hilarious clips from her dance company L.A City Municipal Dance Squad.

Top tip for aspiring illustrators? 

With so many people deciding to take creative careers in illustration with iPads and digital processes being so much accessible these days it’s easy to feel out of your depth, my top tip would be don’t compare yourself to others, focus on what you can do and not what you can’t. Your natural style will always shine through no matter what your chosen media is – keep at it.

What is your TV box set obsession right now?

I’ve watched probably 5 times over each season of LOVE on Netflix in the last 2 years. I’m a creature of habit, if I really enjoy something i’ll watch it endlessly.

Favourite shop? 

My work is stocked in some amazing independents across the country, it’d be happy to shop in any of those. I’ve been working with a preloved designer clothes agency for the past year so I generally pick up new pieces for my wardrobe from there when we’re working on a shoot – i’ve definitely stepped away from the attraction of purchasing from the high street.

Favourite flower? 

This is tricky, each season it changes. I’m growing around 50 varieties of flowers from seed this year alongside the autumn + spring planting bulbs / tubers we have. With Spring in sight right now i’m excited about seeing my ‘La Belle Epoque’ Tulips appear – they’re a stunning coffee + peachy/pink colour with double petals.

Favourite plant? 

My favourite plant at the moment is the Medinilla Magnifica, otherwise known as the rose grape. They have lush green foliage with beautiful pink flowers which hang like pendents, stunning.

Favourite city?

Manchester, as a Lancashire girl gone Yorkshire, it’s my home from home.

NURAAN ACKERS – PHOTOGRAPHER

Nuraan is a London-based photographer who particularly enjoys working with ethical and mindful brands, creating lifestyle, product and interior photography. Her work for 91 spans across the blog, our e-zine and the magazine. Find Nuraan on Instagram.

If you weren’t a photographer what would you be and why? 

I switched careers from Computer Science to Photography, so apart from Computer Science, I could also see myself as a graphic designer or architect. I tend to love the combination of science and art.

Name 3 of your favourite instagrammers & why? 

@sheisvisual – for her authentic and deliberate posts on health and lifestyle, and her serene aesthetic.

@annaandtam – Love their interior styling and photography.

@sarahmarievera – Her feed is visually calming, while also inspiring a more sustainable lifestyle.

Top tip for aspiring photographers? 

1.    Practice as much as you can. Exhaust your camera capabilities, master the technical side and shoot all types of photography, not only that which you are interested in. It will all help you in the end.

2.    Continue to educate yourself through workshops, tutorials and the like.

3.    Do not rely on inspiration and motivation – by their very nature, they are not around everyday, so discipline is key.

What is your TV box set obsession right now?

I recently watched one episode of Explained on Netflix, and now I want to watch it all!

Favourite shop? 

I love Triangle Store in Hackney. Everything they have is simple, clean and minimal. For online shopping, Trouva is amazing for a curation of all the best independent boutiques in London.

Favourite flower? 

I love roses, but I also love Arum lilies and Strelitzia native to South Africa.

Favourite plant? 

I am not great at looking after plants, so I don’t usually have too many. But I do love a Calathea Ornata plant.

Favourite city?

That would have to be my home city, Cape Town, for its diversity, vibrant culture and beautiful outdoors.

SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH – WRITER/sTYLIST

Other than myself, Sophie is the longest standing contributor to 91 Magazine! She has been compiling our news pages since the very first online issue back in 2011! As well as this Sophie works for other interior magazines and has recently become a floral stylist. You can see some of her floral work on her Instagram.

If you weren’t a writer and stylist what would you be and why? 

Last year I trained to be a florist, so I’m now building that up which is really exciting and I’m working it alongside my editorial work. There are similarities to styling as working with flowers is all about having a great colour sense and understanding composition and texture, I love it! Aside from that, I’d love to have worked in forensics!

Name 3 of your favourite Instagrammers & why? 

Oh Flora – I adore Tanya Shaw’s feed, she’s a floral designer from Sydney and I love her light and airy designs and her colour sense is second to none. She’s great at showing behind the scenes and her feed makes me so happy!

Object Story – An online homeware store that’s coming soon, and I can’t wait! Alice is curating a stunning range that includes string bags, beeswax candles, kitchen utensils and gorgeous table linens. Her IG is stunning and beautifully styled.

Simple & Season – Kayte Ferris is a marketing marvel, I’ve coached with her a few times in the last two years and invested in her courses. Her Instagram is earthy and authentic and she’s recently moved in to a lovely old property, I can’t wait to see more of it on her grid.

Top tip for aspiring writers and stylists?

Always be professional and never miss a deadline and in terms of styling – less is more, always.

What is your TV box set obsession right now?

We’ve just started watching The Outsider on Now TV with Jason Bateman and I’m a huge fan of Scandi/French dramas because they are so much edgier than ours and of course, super stylish!

Favourite shop? 

Anthropologie in Leeds, the store is stunning and I always want to spend a fortune in there *whoops!*, I love that they are different to other homeware stores.

Favourite flower? 

This is a really hard question…can I have more than one? I love old fashioned garden roses, stocks for their scent and peonies – big blousy fluffy blooms are my favourites!

Favourite plant? 

I’m not great with plants, I buy the varieties that don’t need much care so I don’t really have a favourite but I have one of those heart shaped plants that’s super cute!

Favourite city?

London – I lived there for 10 years and I miss it but wouldn’t move back now, Leeds is my second favourite which is near to where I live currently.