Journey into the captivating realm of Venetia Scott, the renowned British fashion photographer and multifaceted artist, as her North Kensington residence and workspace open their doors. Her distinct photographic signature often evokes a 1970s sensibility, an aesthetic deeply woven into the fabric of her living and creative environments. This report delves into how her personal history and artistic principles converge within the walls of a transformed Victorian-era postal sorting office.
Scott's abode, acquired in 2004 from artist Felicia Larsson, was originally repurposed by Orefelt Associates, featuring towering fin-like piers supporting an elevated living area with secluded bedrooms. Upon entering, one is immediately greeted by deep green walls that ascend towards a light-infused, industrial-style roof. This unique architectural character, a blend of historical utility and artistic adaptation, provided Scott with the perfect backdrop for her life and work, enabling her to craft narratives and conceptualize collections for lines such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, and to build her elaborate photographic sets.
Her studio, centrally located from the entrance, serves as a dynamic hub where she curates editorial features, such as those for British Vogue. It is furnished with distinctive red crackled leather swivel chairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll, reportedly sourced from eBay, lending a retro charm. A prominent display of portraits from her 2019 exhibition and book, "Fragile Face Lay Flat," adorns one wall, showcasing her signature style of capturing women and girls engaging directly with the camera. Scott emphasizes that her creative process begins with the environment, which intrinsically guides the selection of clothing and casting, a method that distinguishes her in the fashion photography landscape.
Scott's approach to creating compelling visual stories is deeply rooted in the concept of location. She integrates the setting's colors and textures with the garments to define the character's identity and context. A dedicated section of her studio is reserved for constructing elaborate sets, complete with flooring, drapery, wallpaper, and bespoke furniture, where she brings numerous magazine editorials to life. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each photographic narrative is rich with atmospheric depth and authenticity.
The residence also reveals Scott's eclectic personal taste, evidenced by her B&B Italia sofa, reupholstered in sandy-gold fabric with matching tiger-striped cushions. Her self-portrait for AD, taken upstairs, captures her in a vibrant pink Zandra Rhodes dress, embodying a grown-up, Peggy Guggenheim-esque glamour. She playfully acknowledges her unintentional affinity for the 1970s, a period she scarcely experienced yet deeply resonates with. Her nomadic upbringing, marked by boarding school and her diplomat father's postings, fostered an early appreciation for creating a sense of home from diverse elements, a trait inherited from her mother.
Scott's initial decorating phase involved a whirlwind shopping spree at Alfie's Antique Market and Themes & Variations, yielding a collection of Danish and Italian mid-century furniture, colorful Murano glass, and unique plastic pears. These early acquisitions have remarkably endured, forming the timeless foundation of her home's aesthetic. Post-lockdown, she embarked on "phase two," which entailed expanding her living space and installing a bespoke Arclinea kitchen. This vibrant kitchen, with its green cabinetry and gold trim, now serves as a lively focal point for social gatherings, despite Scott's modest culinary claims.
The lower level of her home presents a contrasting ambiance. Her primary bedroom, dubbed a "den," features leopard-spot carpeting and a grand sleigh bed. Embracing the room's limited natural light, she installed heavy corduroy curtains, creating a cozy sanctuary. Art pieces, such as Alfred Wallis's painting of a trawler and Piers Jackson's moon-like gold-leaf art, add personal touches and a subtle glow. Adjacent to her photographic studio, a transparent sliding door unveils a remarkable 16-foot-long wardrobe, a feature that, for a woman steeped in fashion, was an undeniable and perfect discovery.
Venetia Scott's dwelling is a testament to her distinctive artistic vision, where an appreciation for vintage aesthetics, thoughtful design, and a deeply personal touch converge to create a living and working environment that is both inspiring and intimately reflective of her identity.