Let's Get Loud
Three bold, quirky finds that definitely stand out from the pack.
Life is too short to buy boring stuff. And a little quirk never hurt anybody. My eye is always drawn to those items that break the mold and offer a bit of whimsy alongside their usefulness. Seeing a fresh new take on something familiar is always inspiring, asking us to consider a new way to do something or to express ourselves. These are the things that spark conversation—or debate—and best of all, make us smile.
Whether it’s your clothing, home decor or beauty look, there’s no time like the present to go big, loud and fun (especially as winter drags on). The three items in this week’s edition have unexpected designs, which is exactly what makes them perfect for taking you out of your comfort zone and mixing things up.
After all, fortune favors the bold.
1. Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Face Mask (£49)
I’m not a fan of single-use sheet masks. Using them often feels wasteful. While searching for a reusable silicone option, I found this mask from famed British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury that also provided an additional benefit: cold. I love using an ice roller in the morning to wake myself up, but they’re not meant for multitasking. The inside of this mask has four compartments full of gel beads and a row of larger, metal acupressure beads for a handsfree treatment. After 30 minutes in the freezer, strap it on and it will de-puff away last night’s sins in just 10 minutes.
2. Kat Maconie Shoes (£225 and up)
One of my favorite British shoe designers is having a major sale right now. Kat Maconie’s shoes are true works of art, adorned with bright colors, sparkling gems and whimsical layers of texture. They’re the kind of shoes you want to display on a shelf instead of throwing in the closet. From the moment I first saw her shoes, I couldn’t stop staring at her site/stalking it for discounts. Her designs also reminded me how much fun it is to dress up. They can get pricey, but are a statement piece perfect for pairing with everything from a simple slip dress to ankle-grazing denim.
3. You Must Stay Shaggy Floor Mat x David Shrigley (£59)
If you’ve followed MIDDI for a while now, you know I love having quirky pieces in my home that spark conversation. And British visual artist David Shrigley creates just that. I first encountered his work while eating in the Gallery at sketch London, where his in-your-face prints adorn the walls. I knew I wanted something of his for our flat and I loved how confrontational this simple floor mat was, in a fun way. Created in collaboration with Melbourne-founded studio Third Drawer Down, it added just the right punch of color to our powder room for unsuspecting guests.
It’s time you met … Hilary Lyke
Every once in a while, you meet someone whose creativity just sticks with you. I met Hilary while we were both working in retail in NYC more than a decade ago. I knew she was a textile designer and always loved her personal style, which is why it was so lovely to reconnect and discuss her recently launched brand, Daisy District.
Describe Daisy District as briefly as you can.
Daisy District is a playful, yet elevated lifestyle brand with a focus on hand dyed and hand printed quality products.
Share your journey to starting your brand.
Having my own brand has been the dream for quite some time. After working many years as a print, graphic and textile designer in the fashion industry, that desire only grew stronger. Shortly after moving from New York to San Diego, the entire world shifted in 2020 and this is when I took advantage of my new found time. I got back into hand dyeing (something I’ve dabbled in since my teenage years) as well as printing my designs on apparel. This led me to launch Daisy District! It’s been a long time coming and I’ve only scratched the surface on where I want to take the brand.
How long do your products take to make? Do you have a favorite?
I have a variety of dye techniques as well as printing processes so it really depends on the project! The dye process itself takes a lot of patience as it’s not something you can turn around instantaneously if you’re looking for the best results.
Ohhh my favorite product—it’s tough to choose just one but the mulberry silk pillowcases are definitely something special. Working with silk just feels like the ultimate luxury from process to finished product. I also really love repurposing one-off vintage pieces and plan to do a lot more of that in the upcoming months!
What is the philosophy behind your designs for Daisy District?
Each piece is created with intention, inspired by my life experiences and spending time in nature. I hold a lot of value in sourcing materials and creating things to last a very long time while keeping the designs fresh, funky and fun.
What advice do you have for other people looking to turn their creative passion into a business?
My advice to other creatives looking to start a business would be to realize that it may never feel like the right time to take the leap and that’s okay! If it’s something you truly want, you should confidently go for it given your skill set. I do want to highlight I no longer felt fulfilled at my job and if you feel similar, you should listen to those feelings. Collaborations are also a beautiful thing and something to consider if you feel stuck. :)
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