Tom

Tom 

“Dalston is a massive part of my life and it exudes style, attitude and excitement.” 

“I first came to Dalston in 2008 to go to the little basement clubs along Kingsland Road. It was the only place that had underground, and alternative nights where they played house and dance music until the early hours. We would then always end up at the famous 24-hour bagel shop on Ridley Road afterwards. The crowd in Dalston at the time was very arty and out there, with art students who were creative with their looks.”

“I started to play around with my own image after my teenage years. I was interested in street fashion, and I would visit the vintage and second-hand shops to get ideas about fashion and be inspired. I found Dalston an inspiring place. It has energy and a rawness.”

“I thought I might try hairdressing and while I was going to Charity Shops and wandered to Blue Tit, a hairdressing salon, in Dalston. My mate suggested going in and asking them if they had any apprenticeships. They suggested coming back for an interview and I did. I did not have any experience, but I was keen to work in Dalston, with cool people. So, when I was offered the job in 2012, I was over the moon. I did my three-year apprenticeship with the company, and I now manage the space whilst doing other roles such as leading on their creative direction, manage their educational academy and we have started a you tube channel and an Instagram page for the academy.”

“I was born in Whipps Cross and first year in Walthamstow. My parents left and went to Australia for five years. They moved me back when I was six. They settled in South London, Forest Hill. Growing up in South East in the 90’s and 2000’s was great and I was out most nights. I was influenced by the indie movement and decided I wanted tattoos and piercings. My mum is cool and was an art student at Chelsea. Also growing up here and areas like Brick Lane became cool spaces and sold vintage gear. So, all of these things influenced me.”

“I was obsessed with the film ‘This is England’ by Shane Meadows and started dressing in mod and skinhead fashion and wore Dr Martens, Jeans and Braces every day for years. The skinheads had an appreciation of Jamaican music, reggae and ska and I also found this a part of me. I am not full skinhead, but I still have clothes influenced by that era, punk, mod and skinhead etc. Music that springs to mind are Al Barry and his tune Morning Sun and the Cimarons.”  

“Style and identity are important as it gives you confidence and you can give out energy and create a sense of your own individual identity. It’s also genuinely quite fun, influencing how you meet people. If you look good you feel good. If you get your outfit right, it sways it for you. In any creative work you have attention to detail – the way dress and style yourself can transcend into your work and creativity.”

“Dalston is a big part of my life, I have lived here for a while and now socialise and work here. I have an emotional attachment to the area. twelve years is a long time and it’s a place that makes me feel excited. If I have made a big effort with my style, I feel it’s more appreciated. “