Kirsteen McNish speaks to publishers Ann and Martin from Hoxton Mini Press and writer Katie Treggiden, about ‘Makers Of East London’, a brand spanking new book about East London’s makers and creators.

Hoxton Mini Press is an independent publisher making collectable art books specifically about East London. They work with a range of photographers, artists and writers to create playful but beautiful books that celebrate the character of London’s most exciting neighbourhood. They believe that books should be beautiful objects: as information becomes more virtual, the physical book is something to cherish, collect and share.

Self confessed design geek, Katie Treggiden is passionate about design and loves nothing more than writing about her favourite subject.

Charlotte Schreiber is a freelance photographer focusing on portraiture and fashion.

Kirsteen: 'Makers Of East London' is your biggest publication yet - yay! How did the collaboration came about between Hoxton Mini Press, Katie and Charlotte?

Hoxton Mini Press: We had already established a series of small photography books about East London and wanted to commission our first major book about the area. The most obvious topic was creativity in some form or another and we became increasingly aware of the proliferation of craftspeople around us, people of all ages breathing life back into traditional techniques that were long associated with this part of town.

Kirsteen: Your Confessions Of A Design Geek blog is huge, and your new project Fiera is bubbling away - what else are you up to Katie?

Katie: I have been writing confessions of a design geek for over five years now. I established it in 2010 to discover, champion and inspire new designers and have been doing just that ever since. What I'm most proud of is the bursary I do in conjunction with Home London. Every year we award a new designer a bursary worth over £10K including a free stand at Home London, a photo shoot and film shoot, mentoring - everything they need to launch their career, right down to the business cards. Last year, I launched Fiera, the independent biannual magazine discovering new talent at the world's design fairs. It comes out twice a year and provides a platform for new designers trying to solve some of the world's problems through design. I am also a freelance design journalist, writing for the Guardian, Telegraph, Elle Decoration, OnOffice, Dezeen and Design Milk. And I'll be starting work on my third book early next year.

Kirsteen: In your opinion what do you think defines East London creatively, and how fast is it changing?


Hoxton Mini Press: Hard to give a definite answer… for me (Martin at HMP) it’s a sense of people willing to give it a go, not being too precious about it – whether it’s new shops, new foods, new products, clothing, style…  There’s a lively creativity around here. That feels refreshing.

Katie: East London is defined by change. It has become a palimpsest of cultures and crafts, with a new layer of creativity introduced with each influx. Every generation of makers stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before and, at some point, leaves to make way for the next. The rise of "silicon roundabout" and the digital creative’s that has brought with it is the next wave, and only time will tell what the effect is on the more hands-on makers.
 
Kirsteen: How did you select the makers in this book, and what areas of East London do you cover?

Hoxton Mini Press: We did our research! Talking to other makers, looking online, going to shops, speaking to designers from Bow to Walthamstow. The beauty of making books about an area on your doorstep is...it’s on your doorstep. It takes 5-minutes to go and visit these people.

Katie: We were looking for a wide range of makers, both male and female, traditional and contemporary, across a broad range of creative disciplines and wanted to make sure East London's cultural diversity was represented too - the book includes makers from Australia, Poland, Hong Kong and Austria!

Kirsteen: Can small businesses survive in such a fast paced mass-market with ever rising rents and mass market products?

Hoxton Mini Press: Yes and no.

Yes  - because there is something about the area that makes me feel there will always be a culture of small business, of individuals striking out in a creative way. When one goes, another takes it’s place.

No - because there is the very obvious creep of gentrification. High street brands are silently taking over some of the streets. Perhaps that will encourage some of the small businesses to become bigger, perhaps that will make others move further out. We shall see.

Kirsteen: Being freelance and independent requires long hours and very little break, what drives you and who are your influences and what makes you tick creatively?

Hoxton Mini Press: Coffee!

Katie: I believe that design has a tremendous power to make the world a better place, and I believe my role as a writer is to provide a platform for brilliant ideas that might just do that. I am incredibly inspired by new designers who still believe in the impossible - a crucial trait if their ideas are going to change the world. I do work incredibly hard, but I have the best job in the world, so it's hard to know when to stop!

Kirsteen: You cover a lot of East London history and use archive photographs and source materials of 'makers' past. Did you uncover anything that’s surprised you?

Katie: So many things surprised me, both historically and currently - far more than we could fit into the book. It was absolutely fascinating to learn more about the manufacturing heritage of East London, and reassuring to discover just how much is still made in the capital. There is a myth that "we don't make anything in this country anymore" - it's just not true. There are still passionate people making beautiful and functional objects all over East London.  

Kirsteen: Your 'Go-To' places in East London- shout them out!

Hoxton Mini Press: Victoria Park with the dogs on good day. Still BBQ free in the summer! Leila’s café on a Sunday morning, the eggs and sage are killer. Lardo for great pizza. SIN Noodle for the best Vietnamese. Regents canal for an evening walk in summer.

Katie: Nude Espresso on Hanbury Street - they make a proper flat white and their Portuguese tarts are to die for! The Geffrey Museum is a fascinating place - and has some really interesting exhibitions alongside the permanent collection. Tent London at the Truman Brewery (24 - 27 September) is not to be missed - lots of young talent often showing their work for the first time.

Kirsteen: What object made or natural do you most treasure?

Hoxton Mini Press: My handmade racing bike. Which just got stolen, boo. My Cutler and Gross glasses. Life goes by in a blur otherwise.

Katie: My two-year-old cocker spaniel.

Kirsteen: What publications are next for HMP & do you have a dream project Katie?

Hoxton Mini Press: In October and November we will be releasing two new titles in our ‘East London Photo Stories’ series – ‘Lost In The City’ by Nicholas Sack’ and ‘Hackney by Night’ by David George.

Katie: I think I'm lucky enough to be working on my dream projects already! I edit an award-winning blog and have just launched a print magazine that sees me travel all over the world meeting new designers - it doesn't get much better than that! I would love to write a design column for the Guardian - that would be the icing on the cake!

‘Makers Of East London’ Written by Katie Treggiden, photography by Charlotte Schreiber, is published by Hoxton Mini Press. www.hoxtonminipress.com

Book launch here: eventbrite.co.uk

For events with featured makers Katherine May and Daniel Heath at Blackhorse Workshop 27th Sept book here: blackhorseworkshop.co.uk