MENTORS

Tash South

Owner & Creative Director of South Place Studio and Design Diversity Mentors
Areas of Expertise: Start Ups, Interior Design, Renovation Consultancy, Graphic Design, Blogging, Coaching Into Work
Current Status: Booked until April

I've had long career in the design industries, starting with 17 years in graphic design, in agencies in Cape Town and in London, before making the move over to property renovation consultancy and interior design. Growing up in a segregated and racially charged country has made me all too aware of the inequalities, lack of inclusion and systemic racism of the world we live in. Throughout my 20 years in the design industries I've seen the lack of diversity remain almost unchanged. This has driven me to start Design Diversity Mentors, our aim is to guide and support young people from the BAME and lower socio-economic groups into the wonderful world of design.
southplacestudio.com

Laura Clark

TV Presenter and Founder of Lamp Architects
Areas of Expertise: Architecture, Small scale development and renovation, TV presenting.
Current Status: Available

I formed Lamp Architects twelve years ago specialising in residential conversions, extensions and new builds. My passion lies in innovative house designs, small scale redevelopment and micro-regeneration of long abandoned and brown field sites. I studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow and also the Liverpool School of Architecture, qualifying in 2007. After leaving University, I worked with a building firm for several months prior to starting as an architectural assistant with Guy Greenfield Architects in London. Working on the tools and getting a basic idea of site work is a really great foundation for developing detailing, site visits and working closely with the construction team. I think working on site is really important for anyone wanting to become an Architect, especially female Architecture trainees.

My underground toilet conversion to a flat was featured on Channel 4 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. From there, I went on to become a judge on Shed of the Year and also as an architect on Ugly House to Lovely House and now on BBC2 Your Home Made Perfect.
www.lamparchitects.co.uk

Eva Sonaike

Textile and Interior Designer
Areas of Expertise: Textile Design, Interior Design, Creative Business Coaching
Current Status: Available

Eva Sonaike is a London-based Interiors company specialising in luxury home textiles and soft furnishings with a vibrant, yet elegant African aesthetic.
Our company’s ethos 'Bringing Colour to Life' is reflected in the signature collections of cushions, rugs, furnishings, lamps and interior textiles designed by Eva Sonaike. Emphasis is placed on hand finishing, distinct designs and high-quality manufacturing.
Eva Sonaike's products have been stocked worldwide in prestigious stores such as Liberty, Fenwick of Bond Street, Amara and Selfridges in London,
Eva and her products are regularly featured in the UK and international press and over the years we have collaborated with some of the world’s leading interior design firms on residential and commercial design projects.
evasonaike.com

Parveer Braich

Multidisciplinary Designer
Areas of Expertise: Multidisciplinary (interior architecture, exhibitions, crafts, branding and immersive media - VR, AU, Mixed reality) and freelance and Public art tenders.
Current Status: Available

Parveer Braich is a multidisciplinary designer and runs Eksait Studio. Parv’s work focuses on bridging interior architecture with experiential digital environments, to enable hybrid services for creative agencies, public installation and private clients. Eksait Studio is currently focusing on bespoke residential projects and public art installations to advocate craftmanship within production phases and offer the teaching of craft skills to the wider community whilst collaborating with like-minded creative collectives. Parv distinguishes herself on the consistency of processes within the journey of design, space, immersive media and technical production with the view to offer holistic substance. Parveer graduated with a BA Honours in Interior Architecture (Design and Practice) from Oxford Brookes University.

“My journey within industry over the past 11 years has included working in both in-house and creative freelance roles. I have managed design studios for creative agencies, working closely with project and marketing managers, co-ordinating the graphics, working with digital developers, technical producers and 3D design freelancers. This experience has informed the trajectory of my career and I now begin to carve a pathway into entering the educational sector, where I hope to impart my knowledge and support others in the field of design”

Lucy Burt

Owner of Interior Design Studio, Nest
Areas of Expertise: Starting and running a business and the many hats that means you have to wear – accountant, marketeer, social media guru, networker, supplier management, managing contractors & budgets, residential interior design
Current Status: Booked until May 2021

Having first worked in a tech start-up for 5 years, I then founded Nest over 15 years ago, after re-training at Chelsea College or Art & Design and then KLC and have come to specialise in residential interior design. One of the drivers was to offer a flexible design service, charged at the hourly rate so clients can take advantage of as much or little input as they require. Key to a successful project for me is really understanding the brief from the outset and then working collaboratively with the client to create a space(s) which works for them aesthetically but also functions for the way they live, great design is as practical as it is beautiful.
This flexible approach means there is no typical project and a day’s work could range from a colour consultation through to working with a client on a full house renovation.
nestinteriordesign.co.uk

Jennie Barham

Renovation Coach, owner of Barxonomy and creator of The Reno Guide
Areas of Expertise: Renovation Coaching, Interior Design, Course Writing, Music, Corporate Progession
Current Status: Available

I am a Renovation Coach based in London. I've built a website of resources and tools, including an online course. My background ranges from music, to marketing, to climbing the corporate ladder at a software company, to my current love of interior design and property renovation since 2018.
barxonomy.com

Mariana Ugarte

Co-founder & Director of Interior Fox
Areas of Expertise: Start Ups, Photoshop, Interior Design, Graphic Design
Current Status: Available

I am originally from the Philippines and studied Industrial Design with a focus on Furniture Design at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Once I graduated, I spent the first few years working in home styling in London. During this time I also met my now business partner and we have since launched our business, Interior Fox in 2016. Our business focuses on residential & commercial projects, and in the past four years this journey has taught me invaluable skills that I'm excited to share!

interiorfox.co.uk

Will Jeffreys

Chief Creative Officer at Symphony Talent Europe
Areas of Expertise: Strategy, Creative Direction, Copywriting, Employer Branding, Advertising
Current Status: Available

I’ve been in the creative industries for over 20 years. Starting straight from school, I worked my way up from an accounts role to artworker, copywriting and creative director. Realising that there is a real need for more diversity in the industry, I’m keen to give whatever advice I can to help people recognise the opportunities there are – and go about making the most of them.

Chris Bromfield

Founder of Chris Bromfield Design
Areas of Expertise: Commercial Interior Projects, Design Project Management, Design Business Start up, Retail and Leisure Expertise, Bespoke Fixture Design
Current Status: Available

Chris Bromfield has an array of global accolades in his portfolio which includes designing the lululemon flagship retail store on Regent Street and Jack Wills store in Hong Kong by his late twenties, which have been highly praised within the design industry.
To date Chris has collaborated with a host of clients across sectors ranging from small retail and leisure businesses to international well established brands, holding each project accountable for his successes over 10 years within the design industry.
In 2020, Chris now operates freelance and runs two design businesses, Chris Bromfield Design and Home Retreats UK.
Chris takes great pride in developing a unique partnership experience and in the delivery of bespoke client projects.

Carrie Jeffreys

Director of Carrie Jeffreys Photography
Areas of Expertise: Photography - Events, Portraits, Photo Journalism
Current Status: Available

I trained as a photographer 15 years ago after years of it being just a hobby. I originally focussed on product photography but I missed interaction too much so now photograph people (and sometimes animals) instead! Lots of families, events and head shots with both personal and corporate clients.

Natasha Gupta

Owner of Blue Feather Design Studio
Areas of Expertise: Interior Design, Eco Friendly Materials, Sustainable Design, Business Management, Interviewing and CVs, Interior Design Start-Ups, Restaurant Design, Retail Design
Current Status: Available

Founder of Interior design practice specialising in restaurant design. I have 10 years experience in the hospitality industry and have helped operators with their business model as well as design work. I have a strong focus on using eco-friendly materials in my designs.
www.bluefeatherdesigns.co.uk