MEET THE STUDIO | 2 MINUTE READ
FASHION, ARTISANS & ARCHITECTURE:
GROUP DIRECTOR, LUCY DAY-SHANKS
Introducing Director, Lucy Day-Shanks. Since joining Accouter Group of Companies in 2013, Lucy works closely with the Senior Management team and oversees Sales, Marketing and the Buying & Procurement divisions. Fortunate to be a part of one of the fastest-growing companies within the design industry, Lucy shares her current favourite sources of inspiration within luxury interior design.
FAVOURITE ARTISAN
This year Accouter have explored into sustainable resources, materials and artisans who embody this practice. Sustainability in interior design is an area that is often shunted into the media due to the sheer waste that happens during the manufacturing process. You can read more about sustainable practises in design here.
Looking to create bespoke pieces that will become future heirlooms; Accouter creates unique worlds that are beautifully considered and seamlessly executed. For Lucy, a favourite artisan creating wondrous heirlooms is jewellery designer, Jessica McCormack. Conscious of the demands placed on today’s modern woman, Jessica designs pieces with female empowerment in mind.
‘Jessica McCormack designs exceptional diamond jewellery for the modern woman, creating heirlooms for future generations. Her unique, heirloom-inspired designs and values of hand craftsmanship have given her a global reputation for effortlessly melding the traditional and the contemporary to create a beautifully distinct aesthetic.’
Image Credit: Jessica McCormack.
Image Credit: Erdem Moralioglu.
FAVOURITE FASHION HOUSE
Before stepping through the AGC doors, Lucy specialised in the luxury consumer market from sales to managerial roles. Studying at the London College of Fashion, completing an FDA degree in Fashion Marketing and Communications, Lucy went on to complete a BA (Hons) in Retail and Business Management. Interiors, fashion, and truly defining the meaning of luxury through service and a unique offering quickly became part of Lucy’s DNA. Earlier this year, Lucy joined the Buying and Procurement team at AGC on various furniture trend shows such as Maison & Objet Paris sourcing the most in-demand materials and patterns.
As for fashion, a firm fashion house favourite is Erdem. Lucy explains “Erdem Moralioglu always arrives at his collections by the biographies of particular people. Redeem SS2020 collection was inspired by the multi episodic life of Tina Madotti - romantic and revolutionary, a woman of principle. In design, we are inspired by the biographies of our clients every day alongside the passion, craftsmanship and global message these luxury brands bring to the world.”
FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Within this new age of social media, you can find inspiration in the most unlikely of places. At Accouter, the team strive for the impossible: exceeding the expectations of the trendsetters, tastemakers and industry leaders who set the benchmark for luxury living. Their vision is to be a must-have signature for every luxury residential interior worldwide. A designer who embodies this ethos, well-known for their timeless hotel and restaurants designs is Martin Brudnizki.
“As well as travel, I take a lot of inspiration from hotels, bars and restaurants – even when it came to the styling of my wedding, this was where I immersed myself. Anything Martin Brudnizki touches, I fall in love with. His designs are bold, bright and innovative, and there is a reason he is one of the best designers of his generation! I also often find myself heading over to the many great accounts offering antique and vintage finds as we become more conscious of the way in which we source pieces and define luxury through our values and brand message.”
Image Credit: Martin Brudnizki.
Image Credit: Forbes.
FAVOURITE LOCATION
Location and travel play a huge part in the studio’s creativeness. Due to travel restrictions this year, the designers have taken inspiration from previous travels whilst looking closer to home with nature playing a part. Accouter is proud to have an endless list of international private clients and developers, meaning understanding their lifestyles are key when scoping a project.
Full of fond memories, Lucy describes why South Africa remains her favourite place to travel to “Our honeymoon was two weeks of safari in this magical place, and we are already itching to go back, this time hoping to see Cape Town as well. I can’t wait to visit Babylonstoren.”
Learn more about the team behind the award-winning interior and architecture design studio on Accouter’s Instagram. Contact our dedicated team to see how the studio can provide signature interior design into your home or development.