I studied Typography & Graphic Communication at Reading University.

Then, packed suitcase and portfolio to live in Milan for five years, working for Achitetto Italo Lupi alongside clients such as Prada, The Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Flos and many others.

I loved my time in Milan, immersing myself in La Dolce Vita: seeing the sites, eating the food, speaking the language & making good friends with great Italians – friendships I still treasure.

I also treasure a memory of being introduced, by Italo, to Achille Castiglioni who hooked his umbrella handle on to the edge of the mezzanine floor above us and tried to swing. Ever the enquiring, inventive mind.

I remember laying out Peter Lindbergh’s photographs for a Prada catalogue (1), and the buzz & excitement of the Prada fashion shows.

Next, freelancing in Paris, getting by on rusty French O level.

I dressed a display case in the Ritz Hotel for Mantero, an Italian silk company (2), designed the packaging for an English brand of men’s underwear  and freelanced in a design studio in St Germain, where I accidentally set off the burglar alarm and had to explain my mistake to a rather amused Gendarme.

After a year in Paris, I was offered a position at Condé Nast, and jumped
at the chance to come home to London.  

Highlights were meeting US actor Sam Wanamaker, photographed by Terry O’Neil in the foundations of the Globe Theatre (3). Also, working on promotions for luxury British retailers Thomas Goode (pairing animals with fine china, shot by David Montgomery, 4) and Liberty.

Next, The Decca Record Company, designing CD covers for  three years
(5 & 6), accompanied by the sounds of the classical music masters: Ashkenazy, Pavarotti, Bryn Terfel and Renée Fleming to name a few.

Amongst highlights were sharing bacon butties with Bryn Terfel, and hearing Renée Fleming break into a spontaneous aria after being told the price of a string of pearls she was wearing, on a shoot with John Swannell.

In 1998  the opportunity to design Up In Smoke, photographed by Lisa Linder and published by Conran Octopus, was too good to pass by.

My journey into the freelance world of book design had begun.

I will always love seeing books evolve and being part of the author’s journey: from first meeting, through photoshoots, then weaving their words and images together.

I see myself as privileged to work with the printed page, and never want
to stop bringing the words of inspirational authors to life.