Good Morning Sabah People,
On our recent trip to London, we went to check out our friend Tom O’Dell's new place in Vanguard Court, a cobblestone street of 80 artist studios in Camberwell – a stone’s throw from the famous Toad Bakery. It was incredibly cool.
Tom is multi-talented: a menswear stylist working with brands, celebrities, and film & TV as well as a producer, set designer, art director, painter and general visual wizard. Plus, he’s just a super cool (and kind) guy.
Tom showed us around his studio, all the while demonstrating how he styles his Alto Boots, Bolos and Babas. We had a blast going through his vintage archive of menswear (it's insane!) and piles of vintage magazines, especially his 80s L’Uomo Vogue issues.
Read on for our conversation with Tom to learn about his favorite spots in London, markets he loves to shop, and thoughts on style.
Plus, stay tuned for a gallery of his original artwork coming soon to Sabah House London. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
The Sabah Dealer
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Hey Tom! Tell us about your studio.
"I’ve known of Vanguard Court for years, it’s full of makers and artists. There are sculptors, set and textile designers, photographers, ceramicists, and framers. The old warehouse buildings are lined with plants, and it’s always buzzing with creativity. I’m on the first floor in a sun-drenched studio that houses my archive of clothes, books. It's where I do fittings with actors and it doubles as a photo studio. People can book visits to explore the archive for shoots or as reference. It’s where my team can collaborate, but it’s also rooted in the surrounding community.
Nearby is the South London Gallery, Cafe Little Louie, Mondo Sandwiches, and Toad Bakery for pastries. I’m so happy to be in our space." |
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Are there specific magazines or records that you reference the most?
"My collection of books and magazines is huge, and I keep coming back to L’Uomo Vogue. You can open any issue and find something inspiring. They’re filled with brilliant adverts that today might feel dated, but then were groundbreaking. Brands had budgets and ideas, everything was shot on film, and each campaign looked different: they were colorful, experimental, futuristic. There was also individuality in the work, compared to the formulaic approaches we see now. I often pull ideas from these issues: details, silhouettes, and atmospheres for any given project." |
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What elements are important to keep in mind to achieve great style?
"Keep things classic! Invest in pieces you truly love and will wear over and over again. A beautiful pair of shoes, a well-made knit, a classic coat. Style isn’t about chasing trends, it’s about finding pieces that mean something. I love clothes that have memories and a story–a jacket from a trip, a silk scarf found at the market, a watch with history. It could cost next to nothing–if it feels like you, that’s what matters."
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How would you describe London’s creative world?
"London thrives on mix and contrast. People from completely different backgrounds feed into the culture here. London is built on references from everywhere: subcultures, youth, football, music, art. Style and creativity are on every corner in the North, South and East."
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Where would you take a New Yorker visiting London?
"I’d start with the free galleries and London’s incredible parks. The pub culture is also essential, it’s one of the best ways to meet people and soak up the atmosphere. I love the markets. Golborne Road on a Friday is brilliant, scrappy and lively, before walking down Portobello for antiques and vintage clothes.
Another favorite is Deptford Market on Wednesdays––a proper old-school market where I’ve come across incredible chairs, sculptures, and props for shoots. Before I go there, I stop at The Waiting Room nearby, it’s a rock-and-roll coffee shop that’s the opposite of the minimal world I show on Instagram. It’s heavy metal posters, loud, messy, and full of character. They make amazing coffee and bagels, I grab one then wander the market." |
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What are some creative projects you’re really proud of?
"I’ve been lucky enough to style people for the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Emmys and Golden Globes, and also Martin Freeman, Ray Winstone, and Sam Claflin. I’m also a semi-retired costumier, having worked on films and series for Disney, Warner Brothers, FX. I really enjoyed working with costume designer Matthew Price last month on a lead character for an HBO series."
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"More of what’s come before I guess. Continue to work hard…
Hopefully new clients, new projects, more travel, meeting and working with great people, more personal projects, take more photos. Then; dance more, play more football, have more saunas and cold plunges, read more and learn to surf properly."
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BERNIE PREORDER CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT. |
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There's only 350 pairs available to preorder now, with delivery in October. Get yourself a pair of our bestselling Shearling Baba before midnight! |
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See you at Sabah House Brooklyn tonight -- bring a friend, your own vinyl, and come sip a rum cocktail! |
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