Soho House Stories

In this final London instalment, our host Jonathan Heaf orders room service with award winning journalist and broadcaster Emma Barnett. Emma became the youngest person to host Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4 at just 26 years old. She now hosts her own show on Radio 5 Live, writes a column for the Sunday Times and she can regularly be seen putting politicians through their paces on Newsnight. Emma and Jonathan chat about her career, surprising radio phone-in guests, and why she needed to write her new book; Period.

In this instalment of Eat, Drink, Chat, DJ and broadcaster Tiffany Calver joins GQ's Jonathan Heaf for dinner at Little House Mayfair in the heart of London. Described by i-D as 'the future of the music industry', Calver has broken through barriers, most recently becoming the first female host of the iconic BBC Radio 1 and 1 Xtra Rap Show. Jonathan and Tiffany discuss everything including her musical education, her friendship with Drake, and how she nearly abandoned her first Radio 1 show.

British artist Thomas J Price is best recognised for his figurative sculptures of everyday - predominantly black – people. His work challenges his audience to think about their responses to what they see. In this instalment of Eat, Drink, Chat Price joins our host Jonathan Heaf to wind down over some cocktails in London’s White City House, discussing the London creative scene today and what it was like to lick an entire exhibition wall in the name of art.

In this episode, actor and musician Laurence Fox joins GQ's chief content officer Jonathan Heaf for a spot of lunch at The Ned, Soho House’s City Mile destination situated a stone’s throw from the Bank of England. Having risen to prominence back in 2001 with breakout roles in the The Hole and Gosford Park, Fox has been a staple on British television screens ever since. He has now successfully turned his hand to music, having penned two albums with a new release imminent. Jonathan and Laurence talk candidly about everything from following in his family's footsteps to the trouble with hair extensions.

Joining British GQ’s chief content officer Jonathan Heaf for a mid-morning pick-me-up at London’s White City House is Sam Taylor-Johnson. First rising to prominence in the 1990s as one of the Young British Artists, Taylor-Johnson has since carved out a career as a filmmaker, making her debut with the celebrated John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy. Over tea and cake, Heaf and Taylor-Johnson discuss everything from life after art to Taylor-Johnson’s latest film A Million Little Pieces.

In the first instalment of Eat, Drink, Chat, British GQ’s chief content officer Jonathan Heaf tucks into breakfast with BAFTA award-winning actor Kayvan Novak at 76 Dean Street in London. From Fonejacker to Four Lions, Novak is best-known for his impersonations and comedic roles, most recently starring as Nandor the Relentless in the FX series What We Do In The Shadows. Heaf and Novak discuss life, work and what makes a good sausage.

In 2010, Allan Mustafa, an aspiring MC began filming comedy sketches on his phone with friends Hugo Chegwin, Steve Stamp and Asim Chaudhry. Eight years later and they’re putting out the fifth and final season of what went on to become the multi-award winning series People Just Do Nothing.  Join George and Allan as they discuss how the characters came to be, the importance of collaboration and most importantly why you should always think of yourself as a piece of s**t.

Social entrepreneur and author Sam Conniff Allende knows a thing or two about ‘good’ business. From the early days of making flyer packs in his bedroom to founding a youth-led creative network in a Brixton warehouse, his work has always centred around making an impact in the world. With the release of his recent book, ‘Be More Pirate’, Allende explores how to challenge the big ideas of our time. Join Sam and George as they discuss the importance of rule-breaking, how he unwittingly followed in his father’s footsteps, and why a pirate’s life might be for us after all.

In 2015, Juno Calypso travelled with a suitcase full of wigs, masks & lingerie to a lovers-only resort in the middle of Pennsylvania. Spending a week on her own, she created a striking but surreal photo-series called “The Honeymoon”, which would earn her the The British Journal of Photography International Award that same year.  Join Juno and George as they discuss the formative experiences that inspired her photos, spending 3 days in a Nuclear bunker in Vegas and everything in between.

Following a crushing diagnosis with a life threatening  disease Kiko Matthews faced a world of personal and physical challenges. Fighting for her life was to be the first of many challenges ahead and in 2018 in a bid to test herself yet again, both mentally and physically, Kiko took on a solo row across the Atlantic. The feat not only helped her achieve a world record but also gave her the opportunity to give back to the very people that helped her survive.  Join George as he finds out exactly what it takes to be a survivor.

Explorer, author, award-winning filmmaker and former Marine Lieutenant, Bruce Parry rose to fame through the BBC series Tribe, travelling from Indonesia to Ethiopia, Siberia to New Guinea, immersing himself in the lives of others. After 10 years of enjoying incredible success and a hedonistic lifestyle he finally recognised and confronted his addiction to excess stimulation.  Join Bruce as he talks about the tribes he’s encountered, what they have taught him about happiness and most importantly how we can all help ourselves along the journey to find it.

In the summer of 2010, Joe Halligan and a group of architecture friends decided to turn a disused petrol station in East London into a cinema. This project laid the foundations for what would become Assemble, a 15-strong multidisciplinary collective for whom no project is too big or too small; from Chicken Town, a social enterprise restaurant to Granby Four Street, a whole neighbourhood redeveloped in Liverpool (and being awarded the Turner Prize to boot). Join George Lamb as he talks to Joe about what he thinks the real role of Architecture is, and how community-first projects are essential for turning the cities we inhabit into utopias.

Former DJ and producer turned poet and creative writing teacher, Charlie Dark, set up Run Dem Crew in 2007, drawing on his life experiences to establish a thriving running crew in the heart of London. Join George Lamb as he speaks to Charlie about finding joy in treading the tarmac, and how 90s warehouse culture inspired him to build stronger communities in an increasingly divided city.

Ex-Wikileaks hacker turned investigative journalist, James Ball, joins host Heydon Prowse in conversation. Together they discuss this climate of post-truth politics, exploring everything from fake news to Brexit, and Julian Assange to Donald Trump.

In an effort to know the provenance of her food, environmental correspondent, Louise Gray, took matters into her own hands; by only eating animals she killed herself. In this talk, Gray unpacks the ethics of eating meat and recounts her year of killing to eat. Is it possible to be an ethical carnivore? was recorded as part of the inaugural Food Summit at Soho Farmhouse.

Food artist and anthropologist, Caroline Hobkinson, and head chef and co-founder of The Barbary, Eyal Jagermann, come together to discuss the history of cooking with fire, and how it lit the way for developments in not only gastronomy, but language, arts and culture too.

Experimental psychologist, Charles Spence, joins host and editor of Square Meal, Ben McCormack in conversation. Spence, the head of Crossmodal Research Laboratory, discusses his radical research, gastrophysics, and the surprising ways outside elements can affect our dining experience.

To celebrate Frieze London, Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate and Nancy Spector, Guggenheim Artistic Director, join host and author Thomas Girst in conversation. Together they discuss diversity, initiatives and what the future holds for these constantly evolving institutions. This event was co-hosted by BMW.

Cambridge University’s Professor Hugh Hunt joins Heydon Prowse to discuss how scientists and engineers can save the planet from global warming. From spraying aerosols into the stratosphere, to growing algae in the sea, Hunt explains the sometimes extreme technologies being developed to help counteract climate change.

Architect and TED speaker Michael Pawlyn joins host Lida Hujić in conversation. Pawlyn, the world’s leading authority on Biomimicry discusses this radical new discipline, how it emulates the patterns and strategies of nature to provide sustainable solutions to human challenges and addresses our issues of global sustainability.

Luxury shoe designer Rupert Sanderson joins Gianluca Longo for this episode of Fashion for Breakfast. After leaving a career in advertising to train at the prestigious Cordwainers college, Sanderson went on to establish himself as a master craftsman – one with an arsenal of awards and collaborations under his belt. Here Sanderson discusses his career so far, his Italian influences, and his less-is-more philosophy. Fashion for Breakfast is a regular Soho House series in which guests from the fashion world join Gianluca Longo for conversation and breakfast.

After leading a double life as a stock market millionaire and ecstasy distributor, Shaun Attwood ended up serving time at one of America’s most notorious county jails. The former convict turned educator talks to comedian Eleanor Conway about some of his experiences during six years of incarceration.

Lucien Freud’s muse, Sue Tilley, joins Pindrop founder Simon Oldfield for an evening of riotous anecdotes. Tilley, a veteran Benefits Supervisor, life model and illustrator in her own right, was introduced to Freud through her close friend and performance artist, Leigh Bowery. Here Tilley discusses modelling for Freud, her friendship with Bowery and her own journey from model to maker.

Acclaimed fashion designer Simone Rocha joins Gianluca Longo for this episode of Fashion for Breakfast. Known for her pioneering fabric techniques and strong brand identity, Rocha has truly established herself at the forefront of the industry, recently being named British Womenswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. Here Rocha discusses her fashion heritage, influences and balancing life as a designer and a mother. Fashion for Breakfast is a regular Soho House series in which guests from the fashion world join Gianluca Longo for conversation and breakfast.

To celebrate Photo London, renowned fashion photographer Miles Aldridge joins Phillip Prodger in conversation. In a career spanning almost 30 years, Aldridge has developed a distinctive style, combining vivid colours and glamorous subjects to create his signature cinematic approach. Aldridges' latest offering, After Cattelan, is a photographic response to artist Maurizio Cattelan’s most famous sculptural works. In this talk, Aldridge discusses his life, the evolution of his work and his experiences collaborating with Maurizio.

Artist Gavin Turk joins Charlie Hall for this first episode of Art for Breakfast. Turk, a trailblazing Young British Artist, is known for his exploration of authorship, authenticity and identity. Following his recent solo show 'Who What When Where How & Why’ at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery, Turk discusses the exhibition, his career so far and plans for the future. Art for Breakfast is a regular Soho House series in which guests from the art world join Charlie Hall for conversation and breakfast.