THE LONDON DIARIES
VOL.3
Christie Leigh FLORAL
THE LONDON
DIARIES
VOL.3
CHRISTIE LEIGH FLORAL
CHRISTIE LEIGH
Meet Christie, the London-based florist, model and third instalment of our East London Dairies. The Yorkshire-born creative chatted with us about how marrying the world of fashion and her love for flowers felt like a natural progression in her career, leading her to the creation of her own company, @christie.leigh.floral.
Photographer: Nicole M Gomes @nicolemgomes
CHRISTIE LEIGH
Meet Christie, the London-based florist, model and third instalment of our East London Dairies. The Yorkshire-born creative chatted with us about how marrying the world of fashion and her love for flowers felt like a natural progression in her career, leading her to the creation of her own company, @christie.leigh.floral.
Photographer: Nicole M Gomes @nicolemgomes
Q&A
How was Hackney Hooker born?
I was first taught how to make a granny square at a seniors coffee morning I volunteered at years ago, that’s the actual origin I suppose. But it was only in the last couple of years that I started making stuff for more than just immediate family and friends. TikTok coming along and making crochet popular again deffo played a part, and then it naturally evolved from there with people reaching out for bits I’d been sharing first on my personal insta and then on the Hackney Hooker one.
Where did the name come from?
It was a joke, I had a craft club at my flat every Monday night - everyone brought their own thing, painting, crochet, knitting, sewing, very East London - and one of the girls was laughing at the concept of stitch and bitch because she’d never heard it before. Then I threw out the idea of being called The Hackney Hooker, and it just stuck, there was no other name I could use after that, it still makes me laugh.
What do you take into consideration when
selecting your yarns?
Ultimately, it’s about what the product is being used for, how breathable it needs to be, how sturdy, how malleable etc, and that largely dictates my choices.
Like most things handmade, it’s tough when you try to be more mindful of the materials you use, as this often comes at a cost, and when people can buy a crochet dress on ASOS for £15 or less... it’s hard convincing people to spend that on raw materials alone.
What’s next in the pipeline?
Project wise? So many things! I’m getting married in a couple of months which has absolutely inspired me to put together some playful bridal pieces.
I’m working to get stocked in a local shop which is mad and fab in equal measure.
In terms of dreaming big, I’d love to collaborate with some of my favourite brands or host some fun event in one of the many wine bars around this way.
Tell us about the ALIGNE pieces you’re wearing and how you’ve styled them?
I like clothing items that are fuss free, so I chose pieces that I feel are chic, are easy, are versatile. Then I can inject some more playfulness with the accessories if I want.
There are some days I love getting ready, and others where I just need to thrown on a uniform without thinking. Incorporating pieces like these into my wardrobe means no matter how I wake up feeling, I’m able to feign a bit of effort.
Where do you go for outfit inspiration?
People on the street, social media also plays a part, consciously or unconsciously.
What's your approach to curating a wardrobe?
Slow and steady. I used to be way more impulsive, but I feel like it’s only now I’m in my late 20s that I actually get what I like in a way that lasts beyond a season.
I also love second hand/consignment shopping, so living East means I’m spoiled for choice.
How was Hackney Hooker born?
I was first taught how to make a granny square at a seniors coffee morning I volunteered at years ago, that’s the actual origin I suppose. But it was only in the last couple of years that I started making stuff for more than just immediate family and friends. TikTok coming along and making crochet popular again deffo played a part, and then it naturally evolved from there with people reaching out for bits I’d been sharing first on my personal insta and then on the Hackney Hooker one.
Where did the name come from?
It was a joke, I had a craft club at my flat every Monday night - everyone brought their own thing, painting, crochet, knitting, sewing, very East London - and one of the girls was laughing at the concept of stitch and bitch because she’d never heard it before. Then I threw out the idea of being called The Hackney Hooker, and it just stuck, there was no other name I could use after that, it still makes me laugh.
What do you take into consideration when
selecting your yarns?
Ultimately, it’s about what the product is being used for, how breathable it needs to be, how sturdy, how malleable etc, and that largely dictates my choices.
Like most things handmade, it’s tough when you try to be more mindful of the materials you use, as this often comes at a cost, and when people can buy a crochet dress on ASOS for £15 or less... it’s hard convincing people to spend that on raw materials alone.
What’s next in the pipeline?
Project wise? So many things! I’m getting married in a couple of months which has absolutely inspired me to put together some playful bridal pieces.
I’m working to get stocked in a local shop which is mad and fab in equal measure.
In terms of dreaming big, I’d love to collaborate with some of my favourite brands or host some fun event in one of the many wine bars around this way.
Tell us about the ALIGNE pieces you’re wearing and how you’ve styled them?
I like clothing items that are fuss free, so I chose pieces that I feel are chic, are easy, are versatile. Then I can inject some more playfulness with the accessories if I want.
There are some days I love getting ready, and others where I just need to thrown on a uniform without thinking. Incorporating pieces like these into my wardrobe means no matter how I wake up feeling, I’m able to feign a bit of effort.
Where do you go for outfit inspiration?
People on the street, social media also plays a part, consciously or unconsciously.
What's your approach to curating a wardrobe?
Slow and steady. I used to be way more impulsive, but I feel like it’s only now I’m in my late 20s that I actually get what I like in a way that lasts beyond a season.
I also love second hand/consignment shopping, so living East means I’m spoiled for choice.
How was Christie Leigh Floral born?
I was first taught how to make a granny square at a senior’s coffee morning I volunteered at years ago, that’s the actual origin I suppose. But only in the last couple of years did I start making stuff for more than just immediate family and friends. TikTok coming along and making crochet popular again definitely played a part, and then it naturally evolved from there with people reaching out for bits I’d been sharing first on my personal Instagram and then on the Hackney Hooker one.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt in your career?
To trust my instincts and my taste.
What do you take into consideration when selecting flowers?
The first thing I take into consideration is what flowers are in season. From that, I tend to work backwards when designing for a brief.
What makes the perfect bouquet?
For me, the perfect bouquet is dictated by the flowers themselves. The form of the stems and the structure of the petals. I want each stem to sing! I tend to choose flowers that complement each other in colour and shape, and I love it when a bouquet has a gentle waft from the scent of the flowers.
Favourite spots in East London?
So many favourite spots! It's such a great place to live and work. We have some amazing parks, a little city farm with pigs and goats, the canal path leading to further out East or towards North London, it would be hard to say a favourite spot.
How was Hackney Hooker born?
I was first taught how to make a granny square at a seniors coffee morning I volunteered at years ago, that’s the actual origin I suppose. But it was only in the last couple of years that I started making stuff for more than just immediate family and friends. TikTok coming along and making crochet popular again deffo played a part, and then it naturally evolved from there with people reaching out for bits I’d been sharing first on my personal insta and then on the Hackney Hooker one.
Where did the name come from?
It was a joke, I had a craft club at my flat every Monday night - everyone brought their own thing, painting, crochet, knitting, sewing, very East London - and one of the girls was laughing at the concept of stitch and bitch because she’d never heard it before. Then I threw out the idea of being called The Hackney Hooker, and it just stuck, there was no other name I could use after that, it still makes me laugh.
What do you take into consideration when
selecting your yarns?
Ultimately, it’s about what the product is being used for, how breathable it needs to be, how sturdy, how malleable etc, and that largely dictates my choices.
Like most things handmade, it’s tough when you try to be more mindful of the materials you use, as this often comes at a cost, and when people can buy a crochet dress on ASOS for £15 or less... it’s hard convincing people to spend that on raw materials alone.
What’s next in the pipeline?
Project wise? So many things! I’m getting married in a couple of months which has absolutely inspired me to put together some playful bridal pieces.
I’m working to get stocked in a local shop which is mad and fab in equal measure.
In terms of dreaming big, I’d love to collaborate with some of my favourite brands or host some fun event in one of the many wine bars around this way.
Tell us about the ALIGNE pieces you’re wearing and how you’ve styled them?
I like clothing items that are fuss free, so I chose pieces that I feel are chic, are easy, are versatile. Then I can inject some more playfulness with the accessories if I want.
There are some days I love getting ready, and others where I just need to thrown on a uniform without thinking. Incorporating pieces like these into my wardrobe means no matter how I wake up feeling, I’m able to feign a bit of effort.
Where do you go for outfit inspiration?
People on the street, social media also plays a part, consciously or unconsciously.
What's your approach to curating a wardrobe?
Slow and steady. I used to be way more impulsive, but I feel like it’s only now I’m in my late 20s that I actually get what I like in a way that lasts beyond a season.
I also love second hand/consignment shopping, so living East means I’m spoiled for choice.
How was Christie Leigh Floral born?
From an early age, I've always had an interest in flowers and nature. Fast forward a few years and after graduating from Camberwell University with a BA in illustration, I found myself in a full-time modelling career where I didn't feel fulfilled. Marrying the world of fashion and my love of flowers felt very natural. To begin with I reached out to various fashion brands (some of which I'd worked with in modelling) to ask if I could make content for them using flowers and it just took off from there.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt in your career?
To trust my instincts and my taste.
What do you take into consideration when selecting flowers?
The first thing I take into consideration is what flowers are in season. From that, I tend to work backwards when designing for a brief.
What makes the perfect bouquet?
For me, the perfect bouquet is dictated by the flowers themselves. The form of the stems and the structure of the petals. I want each stem to sing! I tend to choose flowers that complement each other in colour and shape, and I love it when a bouquet has a gentle waft from the scent of the flowers.
Favourite spots in East London?
So many favourite spots! It's such a great place to live and work. We have some amazing parks, a little city farm with pigs and goats, the canal path leading to further out East or towards North London, it would be hard to say a favourite spot.
Tell us about the ALIGNE pieces you’re wearing and how you’ve styled them?
I selected pieces that would be easy for me to work in, across the board. I can take in deliveries, make arrangements, have meetings and go out for dinner all in the same outfit.
I’ve styled then with some French gardening mules which I wear most days at the studio. And some lovely jewellery from the Shrimps x Daisy collab.
Tell us about the ALIGNE pieces you’re wearing and how you’ve styled them?
I selected pieces that would be easy for me to work in, across the board. I can take in deliveries, make arrangements, have meetings and go out for dinner all in the same outfit.
I’ve styled then with some French gardening mules which I wear most days at the studio. And some lovely jewellery from the Shrimps x Daisy collab.
Where do you go for outfit inspiration?
I love the outfits in garden centres! Mix that with a slinky silk dress and that’s pretty much where I’m at.
What's your approach to curating a wardrobe?
I pick my pieces carefully, preferably wearing something that can be styled in lots of different ways - it’s important to me that I have an ethical approach, and that my clothes are timeless in style and quality. I hate the idea of buying loads of clothes just for the sake of wearing them a few times.
Wardrobe staple?
My trusty Barbour!
What's your approach to curating a wardrobe?
I pick my pieces carefully, preferably wearing something that can be styled in lots of different ways - it’s important to me that I have an ethical approach, and that my clothes are timeless in style and quality. I hate the idea of buying loads of clothes just for the sake of wearing them a few times.
Tell us about the ALIGNE pieces you’re wearing and how you’ve styled them?
I selected pieces that would be easy for me to work in, across the board. I can take in deliveries, make arrangements, have meetings and go out for dinner all in the same outfit.
I’ve styled then with some French gardening mules which I wear most days at the studio. And some lovely jewellery from the shrimps x daisy collab.
Where do you go for outfit inspiration?
I love the outfits in garden centres! Mix that with a slinky silk dress and that’s pretty much where I’m at.
Wardrobe staple?
My trusty Barbour!