The area given to me to discover in rough guide was the poshest area on map, Piccadilly, Bond street, Green Park and Dover street along with the surrounding areas, I knew it would be tough to find inspiration in such an affluent area, nothings too quirky or different. I thought every street would look the same, aligned with rows upon rows of posh shops and sushi shops, but I was pleasantly surprised.
My first port of call was Piccadilly and I decided to visit at night, after sketching the famous light corner by the fountain inspiration hit, I wanted to look at numbers, numbers are everywhere and can be taken for granted so I came up with the idea to produce my own number and have repetition in each photos/sketch i drew. I made my textile number and took it round with me photographing it in every opportune picture i saw and every area i went to.
Piccadilly:
Local area & Information:
- City of Westminster
- Fortnum and Mason, Royal academy and Ritz hotel
- Until the 17Th century the area was otherwise known as Portugal
- The name Piccadilly circus came from a local tailor known as Robert Baker and his Piccadilly stiff collars, a reason why St james's street is so well known for it's garments.
People who live/work in the area:
- Fashionable residential area
- grandest mansions in the North of the area
- Houses of affluent families that used to live in the area were known as Clarendon house, Berkely house and Burlington house.
- Offices, flats and the few houses in the area are very expensive
- Piccadilly is one of the widest and straightest streets in London
REGENT STREET AREA
Local area information/Guide:
- Major shopping street, known for Christmas illuminations
- named after Prince Regent
- the area is associated with architect John Nash
- The street was completed in 1825
- Every building is listed
- It features on the monopoly board
People who live/work in the area:
- Offices-small and large unit shops
- A new development known as the quadrant is currently underway to host new shops, offices and a five * hotel
- Home of BBC headquarters
- Hamleys toy shop there since 1906
- Liberty
- Area owned and managed by the Crown Estate
- All Soul's church
- No real residents
Short interview with Hamley's worker:
Luke is 25 and worked in Hamley's toy store for 5 years.
- He likes to work in the busy dynamic environment
- the area hasn't changed much since he's been working there
- the recession had hit hard, much money is relied on tourists
- It's crazy around Christmas time with the demand for toys going through the roof!
New/Old Bond street:
Local area information/guide:
- Another big shopping street since 18th century
- Upmarket area, the name arises from Sir Thomas Bond- the head of developers who built Dover and Albermarle street
- It used to be known for top art and antique dealers
- Sothebys is still around today
- It hosts as the leader of designer brands
- "Allies" is a local statue by Lawerence Holeflener
- Its a rival to Sloane Square for shopping
- It also features on the monopoly board
People who live/work in the area:
- The very affluent work in the upper class establishments, there are very few offices, mainly boutiques
- Very few residential properties, the area was founded in 1700, as a playground for the rich with eh worlds most prestigious retailers.
- There's no schools in the area.
- it hosts up market clients and most workers do not live near the area but commute in
Green Park
Local area/information:
- Was once Henry the 8ths hunting ground-now a royal park
- St Jame's church is famous in London and needs £3 million to save it
- Local Wren church features an abundant of history
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