Tweed Profiles - Beverley Churchill
1. Name?
Beverley Churchill
2. Profession?
Creative Director of Covent Garden
3. What are you wearing by Walker Slater?
A Cateryn coat in navy herringbone Harris tweed - it gets lots of compliments!
4. Being a Scottish tweed specialist opening our latest store in a prime central London location, do you think we'll enhance the style and credibility of the recent tweed revival?
Yes, being Scottish gives you an authentic advantage over the competition, it seems you really understand the cloth and how it should be used and as a result the collection is beautifully tailored and timeless.
5. Out of all the historical characters and stories associated with Covent Garden, which is your favourite?
Samuel Derrick. A writer who lived in the 1700s, who is credited with producing “Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies” inspired by the activities of a notorious Covent Garden pimp - Jack Harris. Each edition of the guide, which apparently cost two shillings and sixpence, described the physical appearance and sexual specialities of the prostitutes who worked in and around the area at the time.
6. The area has improved dramatically over the past 10 years. What exciting new projects are in store for Covent Garden in the future?
I’ve been curating Covent Garden for almost 8 years now and have launched around 75 new stores and restaurants into the neighbourhood in that time. The things to look out for this year will be the arrival of more luxury beauty and accessories brands in the Market Building and in the Royal Opera House Arcade. And more changes on Henrietta Street too, where we’ve recently opened some great menswear concepts including Nigel Cabourn and The Real McCoy’s. We’re also currently designing a gorgeous mobile cocktail bar in a vintage van to sit on the piazza.
7. Thinking back to your childhood, are there any shops no longer in existence you would love to make a comeback in Covent Garden?
Geordie Jeans!
8. You paved your career from Newcastle to London. What do you miss most about life up North?
My family, the accent, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth sands, the Bigg Market, Night Owls, the Spanish City and Geordie Jeans!
9. With such an eclectic mix of businesses which are the oldest established ones still trading?
There are a few Covent Garden institutions which are still going strong - the Segar & Snuff Parlour, Pollocks Toy Museum in the Market Building and Penhaligon’s on Wellington Street spring to mind. Also the legendary Joe Allen restaurant has been serving the best burgers in London since the 1970s.
10. What's your favourite Scottish word?
Achiltibuie
Thank you for choosing Walker Slater!