Sluttery Interviews: Lisa Stickley

Lisa Stickley is a busy woman. She's got a range in the Tate, she's got a book out and her range for Debenhams is hitting the shops in August. She was one of the first designers that we featured on Domestic Sluttery, and I popped over to her shop in Clapham to have a chat with her.

How did you get started?

I was lucky enough to have a great art teacher at school. That really helped. I went on to do my degree at Central St Martins and first sold my bags to Paul Smith!


What inspires you?

I've always been quite a magpie. But it's the 40s and 50s that really inspire me. I like to put my own interpretations in my work, but it's the imperfections of vintage that I love. It gives you a reason to love something, if it has a story. I rework my pieces a lot, there's a sort of evolutionary process in my work.


What's a typical Lisa Stickley day?

There really isn't a typical day. I usually start at 8am, but one minute I'll be designing something new, the next I'll be writing a book! I'm doing a lot of work in Japan, and with Liberty as well. Everything happens very quickly, but there's a lot to do. The Debenhams range took two years to finish! I live upstairs from my shop and studio so it's not easy to switch off, but we try and make sure we go for lunch together, and have some fun.


What design trends do you like at the moment?

I've never been one for following trends. I know that sounds strange, but my work comes from me. But I love ideas. Especially things like 'back to basics', which inspired our aprons and tea towels. [Our interview ceases for a moment whilst we have a conversation about whether or not you really should clean diamonds with gin, and I've discovered that Lisa uses olive oil to make stainless steel shine.]

Life moves so fast, it's hard to keep up with everything. I like paying attention to detail and offering a personal service. I'd rather something was timeless, rather than trendy.


What can we expect from the Debenhams range?

There's some very different things! A lovely cake stand, bed linen and even rolling pins. A drawing of Mr Robin that I did as a child has made it's way into the range, and a gorgeous range of ceramics houses, which I think are my favourites. Hopefully people will really love it.

Want to see Lisa's range for Debenhams? You'll have to wait until August to see it in the shops, but Home Shopping Spy have had a peek. In the meantime, pop down to her shop in Clapham. She's at 77 Landor road, just by Clapham North station.