POWDER GREY: November 2017

Thursday, 9 November 2017

Behind the Label

Jay Blades - Jay & Co

How did Jay & Co come about?

I had been doing community work for years but funding dried up and I wanted to keep on working with the young people, so I started teaching them how to restore old furniture as a means to get money, to support them. See video http://bit.ly/JnCoGuardian

Where do you find your inspiration and how would you describe your style?

I live in a house that has 50 shades of beige, which means that as soon out of my step out of my door, I am inspired by everything I see. Colour is more radiant and stands out so, as soon as I get to my workshop I'm bursting with ideas. I would describe my style as, Fun, Happy and Free

What has been your favourite piece of furniture that you have designed?
I haven’t made it yet, I always want to do better

Can you share any success stories?
There are so many and they all involve young people but the one that stands out is, a young lady I mentored and now she is in one of the biggest bands in the world. Leigh-Anne from Little Mix.

Is there anything you would have done differently from the start of setting up Jay & Co, if so what would it be?
Nothing. All my mistakes have got me here and where I am gonna be.

Besides designing do you have any other interests?
Enjoying life.

What is your favourite colour?
Black, Yellow, Blue, Pink, Green, Red, Grey and Beige really too many, the best thing to ask is what is a colour I don't like and that would be White.