Aug-Sep 2017

Style & Substance
Loïc Lecoutour... is a selfconfessed
contented loner, a lovely
quirky individual who is naturally
curious and creative. A lover of horror
movies, walks through the city at dawn
and a creative writer at heart. He also
happens to own the charming shop The
Toybox in Victoria Park.
What's important to you? Literature,
words, reading, being free to be who I
want to be, self-discipline, working hard,
curating spaces & making them pretty.
What do you love about the East End?
Victoria Park.I love that it has no Tube
station; it allows a sense of quiet. I love
living and working in the area, walking
out to see many familiar faces & the
sense of community it provides. Victoria
Park is another type of London all of its
own.
Francesca Castaldo... is
founder of magpiesloot.com, designer
& maker of beautiful handmade
jewellery, mother, businesswoman,
beautiful lady and co-owner of an
exciting fashion and jewellery shop,
opening on Roman Road in September.
What's important to you? Creativity in
all senses. Being present for my family
is foremost, while remaining a driven
woman in business. I love finding,
seeing and collecting beautiful things
to inspire me & my designs. I am a
natural magpie by nature.
Interview & portraits:
Lady Ray, lrcphotography.co.uk
What do you love about the East End?
I've lived here for the past decade and
wouldn't want to live anywhere else in
London. The diversity, the expanse of
green sitting close to the urban sprawl;
spaces and cultures being so easy to
embrace. It's colourful and vibrant &
being a creative person, this is where I
want to be.