London Creative: Helen Bagnall and Juliet Rusell

This week, we caught up with Helen Bagnall and Juliet Rusell, co-founders of talk Series Salon London and Also Festival

1. NOW THE CAPITAL’S LONGEST RUNNING CULTURAL MONTHLY, SALON LONDON HAS ATTRACTED NOTABLE PRAISE AND ATTENTION SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2008. PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE BRAND?

The idea of Salon London is that it’s a huge mirror to reflect some of the most interesting ideas around. We don’t know what challenges our audience is facing or what they need to know to live in the most rewarding way so we get a lot of ideas in front of them which hopefully give them ideas and information that they can use in their lives.  It has led to a great relationship with the people who come – they are interested interesting people and this makes Salon London stronger and stronger.

2. YOU RECENTLY LAUNCHED ALSO FESTIVAL IN COMPTON VERNEY, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE THE PROJECT FURTHER A FIELD?

We found our London Salons weren’t enough time to go in to enough detail for some of the very big ideas (quantum theory, epigenetics, the history of cocktails) also it’s so much easier to think about ideas when you’re in 50 acres of lakeside parkland.

3. WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU EXPECT TO FIND AT THIS THREE DAY WARWICKSHIRE FESTIVAL?

World class talks and discussions, loads of chances to get involved, stuck in to something fun and different by day whether grappling with songs in our icons workshops, dressing yourself with flowers, or designing your own perfume.  Incredible banquets, comedy, cabaret and DJs in the evening. Lots of wild swimming, incredible wines and craft beers, and food like you’ve never experienced at a festival.

4. ALTHOUGH WE KNOW IT’S ALL GOING TO BE FABULOUS, IS THERE ANY PART OF ALSO FESTIVAL THAT YOU ARE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?

The Friday night Shipwrecked midnight feast should be a lot of fun – a totally immersive dinner based around a Victorian Shipwreck. Our really cosy sessions with key speakers post their talk where you can discuss what you’ve heard in more detail with them in our gorgeous lake side book shop (probably the best looking book shop in the world).  The Rum Shack!

5.  WHERE IN LONDON WOULD YOU GO IF YOU NEEDED SOME INSPIRATION?

One of the great things about London are the museums – I like to explore them one painting/piece at a time and every time I’m going to a meeting that goes by The National Museum, the V&A, the Maritime Museum I’ll leave 10 mins to spend with one piece in one of the museums – this way you can build art in to your everyday and make the most of having museums on our doorstep and build up enjoyment and knowledge of our history and our art.

6.  WHAT WOULD YOUR PERFECT LAZY LONDON SUNDAY LOOK LIKE?

It would look very lazy indeed, perhaps cycling down the Canal to Little Venice to The London Shell Co, originally a pop up and have now found residence on a boat on the canal.  Then perhaps cycling back for a closing weekend drink at a London pub with everything going for it, a terrace and decent wine, heritage and great windows The Cock and Bottle perhaps.

Also festival – www.also-festival.com

Salon London – www.salon-london.com