JEFFERY WEST FOUNDER GUY WEST
Guy West – The Rock and Roll Cobbler’s Hidden London
Guy West is The Rock and Roll Cobbler, one of the men behind the brand Jeffery West. No Rock band worth their salt goes on stage without a pair of boots designed and made by this man. As I write this article, I’m watching Franz Ferdinand perform on the Jools Holland TV Show. And guess what one of the band are wearing Jeffery West boots!! Guy takes time out to talk to IRK Magazine about his Hidden London
IRK: So which is Guy West’s favourite Restaurant?
Guy West: To name just one favourite restaurant is impossible but I know I must. The counter at Sabor in Heddon Street, Nieves Barragan’s Basque cuisine is fantastic. I love the drama of the open kitchen. I could easily eat everything on the daily specials board. Which I think I may have tried to do once or twice!
I would also like to give Maggie Jones‘s in Kensington a mention. Unfortunately the kitchen was gutted by fire a couple of years ago but it is due to re open this summer. A restaurant where time stands still, hours are lost and lunch’s run into dinners. Legend has it Maggie Jones was the name Princess Margaret would use for her incognito liaisons when reserving a table.
IRK: Being such a Soho Head I think I know where your favourite pub or bar is?
Guy West: My favourite bar/pub used to be Blacks Club in Dean Street. Which now sadly is no more, but I am not walking far. The French House in Dean Street, I love the eclectic Theatrical clientele, past and present. I think the French has seen it all. From the post war bohemians and artists of the 50’s and 60’s. To the YBA’s of the 80’s and the Britpop crossover during the 90’s. All of these era’s and beyond create the unique present day atmosphere of The French.
IRK: Where do you go for a Romantic night out in London?
Guy West: A romantic night out would have to start with the after hours candlelit tour of the Sir John Soanes Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Followed by dinner at Kitty Fishers in Mayfair. Walk down into the tiny basement restaurant and again, loose all sense of time.
IRK: Name an area of London every visitor should go to when coming to the capital.
Guy West: I am a West End boy, so my favourite area has to be Soho. For similar reasons as The French, I find the history of those narrow streets fascinating.
I know many people bemoan the present day Soho but if you make the effort the charm is still there. With old and new establishments such as: L’Escargot, Trisha’s and Noble Rot in Greek St, Gerry’s in Dean Street, Garlic and Shots Frith Street. Plus most of Soho’s pubs, The Toucan, Old Coffee House, The Blue Posts etc.
IRK: Name a gallery which you always go to when you’re in town?
Guy West: Recently the gallery I have visited most must be The National Portrait Gallery. Staring at the portraits, whether they are ancient painting’s or contemporary photographs, I love to stand back and imagine the character and back story’s involved of each subject.
IRK: What’s your favourite boutique?
Guy West: My favourite boutique has the be Jeffery West in Piccadilly Arcade of course!
IRK: It’s Saturday night where can Guy West be found?
Guy West: Saturday night is not my normal night out in London but when I do it would be for a gig at one of London’s fantastic independent venues like The Troxy , 100 club, The Lexington , Electric Ballroom, depending who’s playing of course.
IRK: What should you do on a Sunday in London?
Guy West: If the weather is good I don’t think you can beat a Sunday stroll along the banks of the Thames, there is always so much movement and activity on, and off the water, you can never be bored.
IRK: What should you do for a bit of peace and quiet?
Guy West: Is there any peace and quiet in London?
IRK: Finally what should someone definitely do when visiting London?
Guy West: When visiting London try and make time to search out the lesser-known museums, like The Sir John Soanes {as previously mentioned}, Leighton House Museum in Holland Park, The Horniman Museum in Dulwich, or Victor Wynds Museum of Curiosities in Hackney. There are so many to discover.
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Our editor at large Daniel Syrett, or SYRETT, which the artist is better known as, brings his extensive knowledge of the fashion and art industries to his role here at IRK Magazine. While SYRETT is recognized for his glossy Haute-Couture pieces, Daniel is also the founder and curator of Runway Gallery, the fashion-focused gallery that represents some familiar names from IRK, including our founders, French Cowboy. Daniel may be making his mark on the vibrant London art scene at present; however, his unique style is based on different influences from Daniel Syrett’s past.
After studying fashion at Jacob Kramer College of Art in his home city of Leeds, Daniel moved to Liverpool, where his style was influenced by the alternative creative’s of Merseyside. After successfully launching one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the country, Dan travelled to London to work as a freelance stylist, in a move which saw his career in fashion skyrocket. To date, Daniel Syrett has worked alongside some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including Elle, All Saints, EMI, the BBC, and London Fashion Week. Among his latest collaborations, SYRETT is most recognised for his partnership with True Brit Nail Varnish which is portrayed through his glossy art pieces. SYRETT uses the varnish as a medium to create highly polished, and highly fashionable works of art which expose the intertwining relationship between the fashion and art worlds. This connection is epitomised by his most recent collection in which SYRETT named each piece after some of the most iconic designers, including Alexander, Jean-Paul, Yves and Vivienne, with the latter designer being a frequent visitor to Daniel’s former boutique, Controversy.
As a result of working with these stylish clients, Daniel Syrett has solidified a global reputation as both a fashion stylist and an artist. His work has graced everywhere from New York and Florence, to the pastel-glazed buildings on Miami’s South Beach, where an exhibition of SYRETT’S work is also planned for the near future. It is, however, unsurprising that Daniel Syrett has reached such heights, after seeing his work published in over 200 National and International publications, alongside several other books, including the Booth-Clibborn Edition of the counter-culture book, High Flyers.
Alongside his role at IRK, Daniel continues to make his name in London and beyond, most specifically through Beautalism: the emerging art movement which is shaping the art scene across the capital. As the founder of the Beautalists, Daniel Syrett aims to bridge the gap between the public and the artist and make art accessible to all. This is all in a days work for Dan, who balances his Runway Gallery empire with his work as an artist. With other exciting partnerships launching with the W Hotel, Soho’s Century Club and ROOME, the future for the head of Beautalism looks beautiful indeed.
Biography by Megan Slack, Contributing Editor at Magazine by Runway Gallery.
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