Pre pre beginning of AUGUST STONE
I started the very beginnings of AUGUST STONE in this very hotel room in New York City about three years ago. I like telling this story because, even though we only eventually launched this year, it was the kernel of it all starting or back then possibly starting.
For starters New York feels like a second HOME to me.
Many a night before or after dinner, I would continuously gaze and watch passer by’s heading HOME.

I was in New York on this visit for a week. I knew day three was travel, and that was getting the train to DC, then a taxi + another train to Bethesda MD. It was a meeting + presentation for Marriott HQ. (which was a joy- no result but a joy nonetheless). At the time I was still doing photography, but had been asked by various people not just Marriott, to mock up some photography work on fabric. The process which I loved.
But that wasn’t the crux of it all. It was being in New York City, people watching. Seeing them leave their homes at 8am, going to work, and returning late. As with everywhere, it can be relentless. People can’t wait to get to those four walls of space.
At the time it was finding a way to combine photography, design and business on a solid platform, + incorporating storytelling. Storytelling for me will always be at the core.
What I love about New York City, is that people will just stop at crossroads and are happy to have a lengthly conversation. Many a time this happened on this visit.
On one particular occasion, I was really near the hotel. My mum and I were chatting at the crossroad, and an older lady spoke up
“What wonderful accents you have, where are you from?” she said.
“Edinburgh, in Scotland” we both smiled.
From that moment there to walking across the road, we stood in the bitterly cold -6 oc new york weather to chat to this wonderfully interesting women for an hour and a half. She introduced herself as Lois and was in her mid 70’s- a now retired ballerina, director + choreographer. She was interested in everything. She took out her belongings in her handbag and wanted to show us her family album book and pointed to everyone in her family, not to mention the pets she had. The next hour was talking about home life on either side of the pond..
