November 10, 2024
Life Through a Lens... Cabbages Dispatch with photographer, Katy Lawrence
This week we have invited Katy Lawrence to share her Cabbages Dispatch with us; part of the Cabbages DNA, Katy has been bringing her ethereal art direction to our campaign shoots season after season, creating our visual hand-writing and beautifully capturing in her romantic gaze the creative spirit of the Cabbages woman.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the rare days when I’m able to capture beautiful light on film. It can be lucky chance that you shoot a misty morning, or golden hour after a rain storm. The light is constantly changing and to be in the right place at the right time to capture it, is truly the best feeling.
Can you describe a perfect day?
A perfect day would involve a trip to our favourite spot in North Devon, swimming in the rockpools, having a fire on the beach and watching the sun set over the sea.
What’s your favourite failsafe dish?
Soft boiled eggs and soldiers with lots of butter and salt.
Dog walks, country pubs or gallery hopping: how do you spend your Sundays?
If it’s Spring, I’ll spend all of my days sowing and potting on seedlings. Any other season, I’ll be walking the coast path somewhere between Lamorna and Lands End.
Where do you go for inspiration?
I love to visit gardens and look at the flowers to take inspiration for my own garden. The most beautiful garden I’ve ever been to is Fisherman’s Bay Garden, on the South Island of New Zealand. Paths wind down through beds of beautiful flowers with a backdrop of rugged cliffs and sea.
What was the last book you loved and why?
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. It completely broke my heart.
Favourite restaurant?
Flora Café at the Trelowarren Estate on the Lizard. The food is beyond delicious and I love their fig leaf cordial.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
Christina and Kate Strutt and Violet Dent. Years ago, I got my very first job when Christina and Kate hired me to make campaign films for the C&R collections. This led to Violet Dent seeing the potential of putting me forward as a photographer. Some of my favourite photos will always be from those early campaigns at Brook Cottage.
Which delights you more: garden pottering or kitchen pottering?
Garden pottering always. In the mornings, you’ll find me in the garden, in my dressing gown, checking on my plants.
Early riser or night owl?
Early riser or night owl?
The best light for photography is sunrise. Early nights and early starts are always worth it.
How would you describe your style?
My large collection of frilly white dresses would suggest a deep yearning for impractical prettiness, but mostly I wear jeans and a navy wool jumper because I love to feel cosy.
Your favourite item of clothing?
A white t-shirt from Cabbages and Roses that I have owned forever and has been all over the world with me. It’s so worn out, it’s falling apart at the seams.
What pieces from the Cabbages & Roses SS24 have you got your eye on?
I’m a proud owner of the Dolly Coat and I haven’t taken it off since it landed on my doorstep. The Dover dress is really very special, even just to hang on the wall like a piece of art.
