Scene Stealers
Five people who make Shoreditch what it is
by Kimberly Taylor-Bennett
Fred Butler
Softly spoken, when Fred Butler strolls into a room her presence speaks very loudly indeed. Usually adorned in vibrant colours, this prop designer/stylist/art director turned fashion visionary has been brightening up London since she graduated from the University of Brighton in 2003. Her laboriously constructed, visually arresting origami-like accoutrements and accessories most recently caught the eye of Lady Gaga who commissioned Butler to create headgear for the ‘Telephone’ pop promo. Patrick Wolf and Sigur Ros are also fans of Butler’s singular take on retro-futurism.
The Broken Hearts
The East End’s favourite DJ duo are fast becoming in-demand party spinners at soirees as far flung as Moscow and St Tropez. It’s easy to see why: Amber (redhead) and Nisha (ebony haired) are never seen in anything other than matching vintage or bespoke outfits – part Tim Burton imagining, part Vargas girl pin-up, part vaudeville curiousity. Packing a collection of to-die-for 7-inches (Harry Belefonte, Tom Waits, Screaming Jay Hawkins), The Broken Hearts have also produced two capsule clothing collections, a documentary about the history of the circus and a musical project with electronica artist Whitey. (Phew).
Richard Mortimer
If he never did anything ever again Mortimer would still go down in the annals of Shoreditch clubbing history for being the mastermind behind Boombox, Hoxton Square’s Sunday night hotspot where every in-the-know club kid dressed up to close down the weekend - or conversely kick off the new week. If Boombox, and his previous trend-setting soirees Family and Golf Sale, are now parties of the past, Mortimer’s finger is still firmly on the pulse with his online fashion/music/culture zine ‘PonyStep’.
Jonny Woo
Performance artist, playwright, DJ, singer-songwriter, stand up compere, drag queen lip-syncer extraodinaire - the list goes on with Dulwich-born Jonny Woo. Whether hosting Gay Bingo, presenting brain bending variety shows or vogueing competitions, Woo is a visually stunning, laugh-out-loud-funny figure in the midst of the melee. Even his near death experience in 2006 (he suffered multiple organ failure, ending up in an induced coma) has ended up as grist for the creative mill of East London’s party pied piper. The surprise is always finding out what he’s up to next.
Nova Dando
Want to know who’s behind La Roux’s androgynous futuristic attire? Or Lovefoxxx’s eye-catching catsuits? Or who created MIA’s glimmering head adornments for her ‘Jimmy’ video? Well, look no further than this Welsh-born, St Martin’s graduate. More than simply a stylist, Dando is also a nascent video director and fashion designer (her Rainbow Collection debuted last September). Whether she’s spinning records with her DJ partner-in-crime Lou Hayter (of New Young Pony Club), or throwing parties with drag queen Jodie Harsh, the 27-year-old is a vital addition to the East End’s creative hub.
