The Ceramics Edit
Welcome to the first edition of Books + Browse! This month, I've been potterly obsessed with homeware.
Maybe it’s the smell of spring in the air, but I’m currently obsessed with pottery, to the point where I even held my daughter’s birthday party at the local ceramics café a few weeks ago. The fact that the level of cluttered chaos in my flat has now reached peak levels could have something to do with it. I have an urgent need to Marie Kondo my existence, but that requires time and energy, both of which I lack, so instead, I fill my daydreams with thoughts of beautiful homeware that I may one day put on display in a minimalist-yet-chic, Instagram-worthy interior. *sigh*
On my quest for uniquely beautiful ceramics, I have come across some pretty amazing female creators. Let’s discover them together.
Josephine Dessine (@josephinedessine)
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Josephine in person, but after exchanging a couple of messages with her on Instagram, I could already gather that she’s super friendly and approachable. The pandemic was a pivotal moment for Josephine, who had previously graduated from Central St Martin’s and worked as a costumier. During the lockdowns, she found herself without work and a chronic illness to add to an already stressful situation. Her mother played a key role by handing her a stack of plates and suggesting that she draw on them. Josephine began filling her days with illustrations and her family got used to constantly saying, ‘Josephine dessine’ (‘Josephine is drawing’), whenever someone asked for her. Et voilà… that’s how the project came to life!
Since then, she has gained incredible traction on Instagram and secured partnerships with Net-a-Porter, Liberty London and Maison Flâneur (a personal favourite of mine). The girl is on a roll and she deserves it because her whimsical, often cheeky and joyful illustrations are guaranteed to make your tablespreads pop! C’est très chic, très French… et j’adore!
All photo credits go to Josephine Dessine, as taken from her IG profile. Her designs are available for purchase directly from her website here.
Pottery by gh (@potterybygh)
Pottery by gh is very special to me because it’s a project born out of the artistic mind of my fabulous friend, Ghazaleh Pourzadi. All of her designs are unique and handmade at her studio in Surrey. What started as a passion-filled hobby has turned into a small but bustling enterprise and I couldn’t be prouder of her.
‘I craft pieces that reflect my passion and enthusiasm for the art form. While my creations may not be flawless, each item is infused with heart and soul. My greatest joy lies in sharing these creations, hoping others find as much pleasure in them as I do in their making.’ - Ghazaleh Pourzadi
Yasmin Falahat (@yasminfalahat)
With 118k followers on Instagram, Yasmin Falahat’s ceramic designs have been taking the social world by storm, and when you scroll through her profile, it’s not hard to see why! Her designs are delightfully colourful and playful, transforming the zestiest fruits into eye-catching dishes, tiles, sculptures and candleholders, among other things. Following her degree in textile design at Chelsea College of Arts, she embarked on a short beginners’ ceramics course in 2018. It was there that she discovered her passion for clay, quickly establishing herself as ‘one to watch’ in the medium. Her work has been featured in several prestigious magazines, including Vanity Fair.
To shop Yasmin’s pieces, head on over to her site.
Corinne Lent (@corinnelent)
If you’re interested in the occult and folklore (as I admittedly am), then you need to check Corinne Lent out! She initially studied fashion and textiles in New York, before moving to Portland, Oregon, where she now mixes techniques and mediums, ranging from ceramics to art prints. Her creations are imbued with inspiration from her travels and love of mysticism. Sometimes possessing a slightly ‘witchy’ feel, they are certain to add a bit of magical flair to any room. I love the Dia de los Muertos vibes!
Shop all of Corinne’s designs via her website here.
Nikki Seymour (@hodge_pots)
Founder and fashion stylist Nikki Seymour is the creative brains behind Hodge Pots, your destination for bright and wonderfully quirky, largely candy-striped, ceramic vases, dishes and candleholders. According to her website, she draws creative inspiration from photography, her love of travel and her grandfather’s artworks. All of her designs have been handmade (with love) in London using sustainable materials. Hodge Pots also offers workshops for adults and children, a rental programme for weddings and other big events, and accepts bespoke commissions - for Nikki, it’s all about sharing her love of pottery!
Next month’s edition of Books + Browse will be dedicated to reading recommendations. 📖 I’m just working my way through a list of books (less binge-watching for me!), which I can’t wait to share with you.
Have a book or female business recommendation for me? Email me at femmefactale@substack.com or drop it in a comment!