Notes of Curiosity: Ruby Elmhirst
Ruby is a creative producer, specialising in projects that are rooted in sustainability and social responsibility. She has worked with hundreds of designers from established luxury brands like Gabriella Hearst to emerging brands like Bethany Williams and Clio Peppiatt on creative production from campaign shoots to store, event and set design. Projects she’s worked on have been featured in publications including Vogue, Wallpaper* and Forbes.
01 TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY
While researching for an embroidery project a while back, I became deeply interested in the human side to clothing production. I decided to change my own habits and look for projects that reflected my values.
Since then, I’ve worked with many designers, artists and makers on creative projects rooted in nature, connection, community and sustainability across different mediums. One of my favorite projects recently was production for a shoot with Gabriella Hearst in Jamaica featuring women that own businesses that work with nature. Another fun one was curating and designing a multi-brand pop-up in Lisbon that YSSO was part of. Working on stores and experience design is rewarding, in that it has the added benefit of physically bringing people together or adding to a local community.
My personal relationship with sustainability has evolved a lot as the industry has changed. When I’m buying something new for myself, I’ve always asked myself who made it and what it is made from as a starting point. No matter what your preferences or beliefs are, once you get into the habit of gaining that basic information about everything you buy, you are able to make honest decisions. For new items, longevity has become extremely important to me. I also believe that it is more important than ever to support independent, local and community focused places, however that takes shape.
02 A CITY THAT INSPIRES YOU
This year I felt inspired while I was in Oaxaca City. The building colors are fantastic and it has a rural and timeless fee once you get out of the central area. Knowing that there are so many traditional and evolving artisan communities in that region inspired me a lot.
03 YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES IN LONDON
For shopping - whenever I am back in London I visit Brigette. I buy a lot of my vintage summer pieces from her (Bridge Portobello at Portobello Market on Fridays & Saturdays). @bridge_portobello.
I’ll also get something at The Grain Shop after. It’s a pretty old school healthy to-go cafe on Portobello Road which has been there since the 70’s. I’ve been going there since I was born - my mother actually used to work there when she was young and I honestly don't think the menu has changed. I have lots of regular and new favorites in London, but try to visit at least one place that makes me feel nostalgic every trip.
04 A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE
Patricia Bosworth - The Men in My Life: A Memoir of Love and Art in 1950s Manhattan.
05 THE SCENTS THAT REMIND YOU OF TRAVEL
Petrichor.
08 A HEIRLOOM THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO YOU
A beautiful dark green hand painted antique box passed down from my grandmother, from her grandmother. It was used to store embroidery and needlework materials.
09 THE BEST GIFT ANYONE CAN GIVE YOU
A novel that they have loved or a great design book is always welcome!
10 WHERE DO FIND BEAUTY IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE
I’m always captured by something I see in everyday architecture, from a road-side bar to an antique door. When I am somewhere rural, it's not being able to see anything but nature.
