citylikeyou — National Theatre — London by Emilie Chen

London / Theatre

Just above the Dorfman Theatre lobby at the National Theatre, is the entrance to the high-level walkway, a public walkway that overlooks the National Theatre props and scenic workshop. It’s free and is a unique chance to get a glimpse of what happens backstage. I love popping in when I’m on the south bank, as you get a completely different sight each time, depending on which production the workshops are working on at the time.

Website
nationaltheatre.org.uk

Address
National Theatre, undefined Upper Ground, London, United Kingdom

Art Director Graphic Designer

Current city: London

Other cities: Paris

emiliechen.com

Emilie is a London-based graphic designer and art director from Paris. She has worked on branding projects and retail campaigns for Kickers, Speedo and Ted Baker, created campaign images, trailers, posters and programmes for the National Theatre and currently design book covers for Penguin Books. She is also one of the Ladies Wine Design London organisers. The group is part of an international community of creative women started by Jessica Walsh in New York, and runs monthly events including talks, workshops, portfolio review sessions and informal discussions.

More Places in London 471

London / Museum

Beautiful museum with permanent collections on anthropology, natural history and musical instruments. Surrounded by a park with farm animals and beautiful views of London skyline.

London / Department Store

I love this building and always visit if I’m in the area to look at their great window displays, travel up in the beautiful wood paneled lift and wander down the creaky oak staircase. The exterior and interior woodwork is from two old Men-of-War ships, the flooring made from their deck timbers. I normally head straight to the fabric department to see what new seasonal prints they have in, though only buy a metre’s worth so not quite sure what I’ll ever make from them. My most treasured prints are those designed by Grayson Perry of polluted factories, teddy bears, knuckle-dusters and hand grenades. They also sell oversized gift coins produced by the Royal Mint and packaged beautifully in a velvet pouch, which appeal to my love of all things out-sized.

London / Restaurant

Silo is UK's first zero-waste restaurant where everything has been designed with sustainability in mind. Silo's approach is woven throughout the restaurant and its supply chain; from trading directly with farmers to composting any leftover scraps into compost.

London / Bookstore

A very good selection of non-fiction, essays, and rare books. The Japanese book collection is gorgeous!

London / Shop

I spend many hours in the bookshops along this stretch, namely Henry Pordes for second hand books and new discounted titles (pile on left of photo), as well as Koenig Books for new art books with lots of great discounts in the basement. (photo right). In 2001 the rents for much of this strip were increased to align them closer to market value but thanks to public support they were reduced again. Unfortunately some bookshops still closed down; Koenig replaced the beloved Zwemmers - a real institution - but thankfully still provide great books, although others are no longer bookshops at all.