Giles Miller is a British designer who has worked with Stella McCartney (on a pop-up store in Paris), the Design Museum and even made the seating for the new Ecologist headquarters.
His preferred material is cardboard and he designed a cardboard bar and a cardboard martini glass for Bombay Sapphire at the Victoria & Albert Museum's Summer Camp event in July 2010.
We asked Giles about his favourite things in London.
Interview: July 2010
Q: Has London inspired your work?
A: Yes definitely, I'm proud to have a British brand and there are regal themes in my work, like the Queen's head mirror.
Q: Are you a particular fan of the V&A? What's your favourite section or exhibition?
A: Yeah absolutely. I'm a fan of the shop! The V&A has this contrast between traditional and contemporary and the shop reflects that. Like with this event, in a beautiful traditional courtyard and we're building a cardboard bar!
Q: You often use cardboard in your designs. If you could recreate a London icon out of cardboard, which would it be?
A: It would have to be a building definitely. The Houses of Parliament. A scale model using my technique. It'd be nice to give it a try.
Q: You've designed a cardboard bar for the V&A. What's your favourite London bar?
A: I'm actually not that big on bars so I'll suggest a pub, the Commercial Tavern. It's where I like to spend a Friday afternoon.
Q: Where do you think serves the best London breakfast?
A: Pellicci's – a little café on Bethnal Green road. Gilbert and George go there a lot apparently. It's full of gimmicky, tacky, signed photos of Eastenders stars. The owner is an absolute star who has a superhuman memory for orders!
Q: What's the best play, gig, or comedy act you've been to in London recently?
A: I don't get to the theatre much but I saw Posh [at the Royal Court] which I very much enjoyed.
Q: Where do you think's the most romantic place in London?
A: I'd go with a good view. Perhaps, if you can afford it, one of the pods on top of the Wheel. Or I think Tom Dixon has a new place on top of Centre Point [Paramount] but I haven't been there.
Q: If you could take one piece from a London museum or gallery, what would it be?
A: I don't know if it's still there, but I once saw this long, pendulum weight thing that tells the time in the Science Museum.
Q: If you were Mayor for a day what would you do or change?
A: Free rides on the London Eye – everyone should have a go!
Q: What do you miss most when you're away from London?
A: Everything – the energy, the creativity, the architecture, the Thames. I like the river.
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