British GQ - 07.2021

#BIKELIFE

‘The way each Clockwise from main:
of us rides Influential #BikeLife
reflects our riders Trizzy, Danz
personality’ and Liam Ross

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 149

#BIKELIFE

Above, from left: Riders Danz and C1; Rohullah;
(below) Kizzy and Ky-Mani Junior

‘Everyone
I ride with I
count as one’

150 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

>> that he has cycled more than one million kilo- ‘Some might the planet, from the Americas to the Middle East, West Africa to South Asia
say it’s to Europe. Chances are you’ve already seen it in action: the lone teenager
metres and always rides at the front of the pack. dangerous, practising wheelies outside their home; the group of friends practising in
Kizzy rebuilds and customises all of his bikes. but riding is a an empty supermarket car park or pulling narrowly ahead of you at the
beautiful way lights; the unapologetic ride-out packs of tens, hundreds or even thousands
I ask which parts are most important for whee- of expressing of young men swerving through traffic, shutting down the city like a power
lying. “Tyres mean a lot, even down to the wear themselves’ cut. To the outside eye, it can seem silly and boisterous, an immature dance
of them. With some tyres, with more grip, you with anarchy. It presents dangers, for sure. But the reality from the inside
have to put in more work, but you can lean Below, from top: is very different.
more.” Leaning is required to do swerves. As a Mia Sulce; Soup;
rider’s tyres heat up from the tarmac, so does Supreme Nidaaa; “It’s a power move by young people,” says Rory Bradshaw, lead youth
their ability to stunt. “Less grip means you can Carney’s Community worker at Carney’s Community, a charity next to Battersea Park in South
go faster and for longer – it’s less effort, but it’s youth worker West London. Carney’s serves hundreds of locals every week. Young people
more slippery. Also the seat is important as well, Rory Bradshaw there are fanatical about bikes and wheelies. The community centre has
the seating position,” Kizzy continues. become a hub for teenagers to access mentoring support, get dinner, get
Photographs Nick Cornwall; Instagram/@bikelife.mia; Instagram/@bikelifesoup; Instagram/@supreme.nidaaa fit in the boxing gym and have a chance to compete in London’s #BikeLife
Seats are soft, cushioned and grippy so that sit- ecosystem. “You can’t really stop a bunch of kids riding their bikes around
ting and even standing on them for long periods the streets,” says Bradshaw. “As much as people might say it’s dangerous
of time is comfortable and secure. They are low- and that they should be doing other things, for them it’s this beautiful way
ered and tilted forward, making pedalling over of expressing themselves.”
long distances harder, because your legs rarely
straighten, but wheelying easier. Wheelie riders The roots of #BikeLife stem from the early 2010s in American cities,
tend to remove their front brake. To leave it on where groups of young men would gather at long strips of road on dirt
after purchasing a new bike has become frowned bikes and quad bikes to socialise and show off their stunts, before head-
upon, a wonderfully practical and symbolic faux ing home to edit videos and share them on social media. Viral content
pas doused in rebellious self-confidence. After producers soon gained huge followings on platforms such as YouTube and
all, if the aim is to keep your front wheel off the Instagram, helping to inspire scenes to sprout elsewhere. The 2013 docu-
ground, who needs a brake on it? mentary film 12 O’Clock Boys tells the story of a formative biking crew in
Baltimore, Maryland, and its significance in the aspirations of local adoles-
At Westminster Bridge we pass Big Ben and cent boys; its name comes from the way that the upward verticality of the
lines of police vans filled with officers overlook- most extreme wheelies emulates the hands of a clock striking midnight.
ing Parliament. We head round the Treasury, past Across the 2010s, more and more young men around the world flocked
St James’s Park and onto The Mall. Danz, Liam to become a part of #BikeLife’s adrenaline-charged community, as it has
and Rohullah ride together past Buckingham expanded and diversified.
Palace, weaving through the paths of younger,
more erratic riders who look on in excitable, “We used to meet up at Brimsdown,” explains 37-year-old Mac Ferrari,
boyish admiration at them and other influencers: founder of BikeStormz, a biannual mass ride-out around Central London
Wheelie Kay, C1, Fred K 320, Soup. An over- that forms the ceremonial backbone to UK #BikeLife. Brimsdown, in Enfield,
whelming majority of wheelie riders are young North London, was the original strip. “It was all dirt bikes and quad bikes,”
men, but a growing number of girls and women Ferrari says. He grew up in Harlesden, North West London, around hard-
are entering the scene as it diversifies. Some of ship and violence. When the #BikeLife hashtag arrived in his home city, he’d
them, such as Mia Sulce or Supreme Nidaaa, are become committed to steering younger members of his community away
equally impressive and garner at least as many from criminality. “I saw kids wanting to do wrong things to one another in
views and follows as their male counterparts. order to obtain material possessions.” He also saw power in how the dirt-
bike riders attracted teenagers, who would follow them on Instagram. “Kids
At Hyde Park Corner everyone rolls through would come down to Brimsdown on a pedal bike, then we would tell them
another red light in front of sudden, heavy traffic to get off the strip because we didn’t want no collisions. But I saw kids have
and then under Wellington Arch. I remain hover- motorbike accidents, moped accidents, and I was like, ‘Nah, this is danger-
ing at the back. Danz’s advice is still ringing in ous. You guys are going out on the main roads and getting stopped by police
my ears. “Stay with the group.” It is less straight- and losing your licence before you’ve even got them.’ I became concerned
forward than it sounds. I pull out my iPhone to about the future of the young people who were following us. So I picked up
capture the madness on camera. In doing so, I a pedal bike.”
slow down for a split second too long and get left
at the next red light on my own, the triumphant Ferrari’s pivot made history. Across 2014 he started guiding pedal-bike
clamour of the pack draining away and flowing riders and editing their wheelie videos to
into distant traffic. help them grow their Instagram followings.
He received the most impressive videos
Social media and cycling have both become from a young man called Jake O’Neill, or
increasingly accessible tools for living over Jake 100, who would go on to become the
the last decade. In 2020, 84 per cent of UK most famous #BikeLife rider in the UK: cel-
adults owned a smartphone and, as of January ebrated widely in the media as a voice for
2021, 78 per cent were active social media users; young people, featured in advertisements
these numbers are not far off 100 per cent for 16- for brands including Nike and admired by
to 25-year-olds. Counts carried out by Transport tens of thousands of teenagers across the
For London in autumn 2020 showed a seven per country as the archetype of UK wheelie
cent increase in cycling in inner London and 22 culture. He later partnered with popular
per cent increase in outer London, compared to BMX rider and #BikeLife influencer Ryan
the previous count in spring 2019. Lockdown Taylor’s Collective Bikes brand to release
claustrophobia and fear of getting on public his own wheelie bike, the coveted C100
transport – enveloped by a steadily widening – now a predominant model for budding
awareness about city pollution – has driven more wheelie tricksters. Other popular mod-
people than ever before to pick up a bicycle. els include Collective’s C2, the Bomma

Meanwhile, the #BikeLife hashtag has become and Medusa of Mafiabikes and those >>
an athletic, youth-led protest movement across
JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 151

#BIKELIFE Below, from top: “It was cheesy, but it gave us our light,” Ferrari
Jake O’Neill; says. “Really and truly it’s deeper than ‘Knives
>> made by the 1970s-founded American Wheelie Kay; C1 Down, Bikes Up’: it’s about loving your brother,
treating each other with respect, growing and
BMX brand SE Bikes. supporting each other. And then, that way, there
“Wheelie bikes” as a technical innovation should be less knife crime – but also other crimes,
such as rape, drug trafficking and theft – because
are increasingly in demand. They are typi- there will be more understanding between
cally adapted versions of mountain bikes, people.” The tagline has given Ferrari the oppor-
accompanied by gears and suspension (such tunity to work with local council representatives
as the C100 or Lucky 6), or BMXes with rear and police forces, who have gradually come
foot pegs (such as the C2 or Bomma). In the round to seeing the potential for #BikeLife to be
same way that any cyclist chooses a model a positive force in a city otherwise ravaged by
that suits their lifestyle and aims, wheelie overwhelming inequality, division and stabbings
riders will choose and customise theirs in poor, underserved communities. “If the police
based on their size and riding preferences. are a pack of 52 cards, when we started all of them
Danz, for example, rides a Mafia Bomma were turned facedown. I reckon we’ve turned 26
because it is bigger than other models. of them up. There’s still work to be done,” Ferrari
“Wheelie bikes are smooth,” he explains. “I says. “Knives Down, Bikes Up” is now written and
can trust them more when I’m doing tricks.” hashtagged on thousands of TikTok, Instagram
and YouTube profiles, videos and photos. When
Ferrari foresaw a sport developing via the you see a group of boys or girls doing wheelies, it
drive of Jake 100 and his contemporaries. “I is likely that all of them have, at some point, read,
wanted to [remove] that stereotypical view spoken or even promoted this antiviolence slogan
in the media that if young people gather there’s going to be stabbings, shoot- in their digital and social lives.
ings, fights. I wanted to get the public to come around to see that these kids
are talented and they’re willing to do wheelies until the sun goes down.” He Through Ferrari’s vision of community cohe-
organised a ride-out around London to bring young people from different sion, young British people have therefore come
postcodes together. “If you’re out riding all day, that’s nine hours of your to see #BikeLife as a means of spending time con-
time. Then you get home and you wanna edit a video. That’s another two structively, keeping fit, avoiding darker forms of
hours. In the meantime, because you wanna be like the other riders who trouble – such as the temptation of earning quick
you see doing well on socials, you’re working to obtain the equipment – a money from illicit drug dealing – and making
Mac computer, an iPhone to start filming, then upgrade your equipment to gripping video content for a growing audience
cameras, whatever’s gonna do the job. This is why I like bikes so much: it of fans. Meanwhile, they’ve been upholding a
occupies young people’s time.” message of antiviolence. Beneath the antisocial
veneer is a prosocial mission. BikeStormz events
L ike drill music or TikTok dance trends, the #BikeLife phenomenon ‘When people – the next is set to take place on 10 July – and Photographs Nick Cornwall; Instagram/@c1onthatswerve; Instagram/@itswheeliekay; Instagram/@jake100; Teri Pengilley/Eyevine
could have only happened now, because... the internet. “Kids have on a ride-out weekly ride-outs are often organised to commem-
always done wheelies, but now you’ll see a kid doing a wheelie and are moving orate young men who have been stabbed, as well
standing on the seat and jumping on the handlebars,” argues Bradshaw, incorrectly, as to mark birthdays: a ritual for mourning death
“and you only get that because they all see it on social media. And as each it has to be and celebrating life.
new rider takes part in #BikeLife culture, they want to have that individual- sorted out. It
ity. So social media creates this low-key competitiveness among them all. reflects badly “It draws young people away from criminal
They all come up with their own style, learn the tricks, develop their own on all of us’ activity, gives them a sense of belonging, makes
ones. And to be successful they need to be seen; the need to go viral drives them physically active and blurs postcode bound-
the scene forward.” aries,” says Bradshaw. “It lets kids be more able
and less fearful to go to different areas in the city.
After months of promoting the first ride-out on social media in the sum- And, ultimately, it can be a means for certain
mer of 2015, 400 young men mobilised at Tooley Street, near London Bridge. young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
Overwhelmed by the large turnout, Ferrari gave a motivational speech before to actually make a career out of it. It gives them a
they set off. “There wasn’t one fight. It was just love among them. There were legitimate way of becoming successful.”
some problems with the public and pedestrians. People were shocked by it.
They hadn’t seen so many kids riding together like that. And it is terrifying, Ifirst visited Carney’s Community in June 2019
in a way,” he continues, chuckling. “But my contract with the young people because I heard it was selling second-hand
was: if you don’t fight each other, I can manage everything else.” bicycles. Earlier that year, detecting a grow-
ing passion for bikes and wheelies among young
The event became known as “BikeStormz”: a loop of Central London that people, Bradshaw began to convert the long shed
has since taken place twice a year and grown exponentially in numbers at the side of the community centre into a bike
and notoriety each time. Ferrari estimates that the last BikeStormz, during mechanic space.
the summer of 2020, was attended by more than 5,000 riders taking over
the London streets. He now gives his speech at the start of each ride, “There was a BikeStormz event coming up and
armed with a loudspeaker, stressing the importance of collaboration, I asked some of our young men if they wanted to
responsibility and peacefulness among riders. “It’s like the World Cup of come. There was a positive response. None of them
#BikeLife,” says Bradshaw. “That’s what the young people talk about all had been before, but what was stopping them was
year. That’s the motivation to keep riding and improving.” not having a bike that worked and not being able
to afford to change that. A lot more people would
Around the same time BikeStormz got going, the main indicators of year- be involved in #BikeLife, but the main barrier to
on-year knife violence across England and Wales rose for the first time in accessing it is that you’ve got to have a bike. And
four years. In 2017, 39 minors were killed by a knife across the country, 20 to be able to get very good at wheelies, you need
in the capital. Across England and Wales, the total number of men and a certain quality of bike.” New wheelie bikes cost
boys killed by a knife was 164, the highest since 2009. Serious youth vio- upwards of £500. #BikeLife is, in theory, demo-
lence started appearing more and more in news headlines (rates of violence
would continue to rise until the lockdown of spring 2020). Ferrari and the cratic, because anyone with a bike can join in, >>
other riders decided to repurpose a slogan from American cities, “Wheels
Up, Guns Down”, used to encourage young men to ride together to make
a stand against gun violence. The phrase “Knives Down, Bikes Up” was
attached to the third BikeStormz, in 2016.

152 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

‘I wanted to BikeStormz founder Mac Ferrari; (above left)
remove the 17-year-old cycle mechanic Josh Reilly at the Battersea
stereotype
that young Bikes project, a Carney’s Community initiative
people cause
violence’

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 153

>> but, in practice, it suffers from an access prob- ‘Riding £553 in 2017/18. Unison reported that more
makes you than 1,000 children’s centres and 760 youth
lem: middle-class teenagers with parents who are feel you centres have closed. The YMCA found that
able to fork out for a wheelie bike can travel in can get overall funding to youth services in England
from the suburbs to ride with greater ease than something and Wales has been cut in real terms by 70
their disadvantaged peers in the inner city, who out of life’ per cent since 2011. It is within this dire con-
are often forced to use Santander bikes or forgo text of state divestment that small charitable
attending rides altogether. Below, from top: organisations, such as Carney’s Community,
Josh Reilly; have managed to survive. What’s more, on
“A lot of the young men we work with didn’t Liam Ross; Kizzy top of its cofounder George Turner’s years
have the financial means to get one. So we of work in the community and passion for
started working on getting as many young peo- youth work, the club has thrived by embrac-
ple as we could on bicycles. I did a few one-off ing #BikeLife – an attempt by young people
workshops where young people could sign up to seize back control of public space that
to come down for the day and be taken to the has been robbed from them, while fuel-
bikes we had, pick one out with the mechanic ling their own vehicle of self-development.
and work with them to fix the bike up. Then they Institutions such as Carney’s holistically sup-
got to keep the bike. Across those two workshops port boys and girls to navigate adolescence
we put out about 70 bikes to different young peo- more safely.
ple. That was sick, because for the weeks after “It’s so good that teenagers can ride bikes instead of going round with
that we saw all these kids who didn’t have bikes knives. You don’t need to go round with a knife to make you look hard,” Reilly
before riding around the local area together. says. Now 17 years old, when Reilly goes on ride-outs, he explains, he always
Then, off the back of that, we saw that, for a makes sure to help younger boys. “There are kids who are eleven, 12, 14, 15
lot of these young people, just getting the bike that ride with us and they might not always know the route. If I see younger
wasn’t enough, because they didn’t know how kids who are lost I make it my responsibility to go back and find them... At
to maintain it and they couldn’t afford to go to BikeStormz there are thousands of people and if you get injured you will
Halfords to get it fixed if they got a puncture or get riders who won’t stop. But I’m not one of those riders. If someone gets
broken brakes. So we decided to train them up injured I always stop, because it’s a nice thing to do and it’s my responsibility.”
and give them the skills to maintain their own Under Bradshaw’s guidance, Reilly helped Carney’s to raise £4,500 by
bikes,” Bradshaw continues. “That’s when we set presenting the workshop idea to a council-provided “youth opportunity
up Battersea Bikes, the youth-led bike project. fund”. Bradshaw contacted local housing associations and news bulletins
We’ve built up a team of young mechanics who to request that any spare bicycles found or donated be given to Battersea
regularly attend and who know how to fix bikes Bikes. He hired a van and took Reilly out to pick up the first batch, which
and now they can own bikes themselves through they brought back to the centre. Every Thursday evening, members of the
participating in the project.” public can book slots to get their bike serviced and cleaned by a young
person at affordable rates or, if there are bikes in stock, buy them second-
When I went to Carney’s Community to hand. Among the first few workshops in the summer of 2019, Reilly helped
enquire about buying a bike, Bradshaw intro- to service my blue Giant Defy. He sold it to me with pride.
duced me to 15-year-old Josh Reilly. Weeks
before, Jake 100 had come down to see Battersea A t the ride-out, after setting off from the red light, I catch up with
Bikes in action and awarded Reilly a free C100 Danz, who has stayed behind at the next junction to wait for me.
for his efforts in helping to get the workshop up As we cycle through the city he talks me through his aspirations to
and running. “Riding a bike makes you feel free. convert his passion for bikes and videography into a sustainable career. He
It makes you feel like you can get something out plans to attend university and continue developing his skills there.
of life,” Reilly says. Back then he was having a
hard time at school because he has special educa- “If I wasn’t on my bike, I don’t know what I’d be doing, probably causing
tional needs – local authority funding for which trouble,” he explains. “I do this for love and enjoyment, but as I get older
has shrunk over the last decade as council budg- I know I need to earn money and help my family as well. BikeLife is get-
ets have been cut – and he often found it hard to ting bigger and companies are seeing that we’re having a positive impact
concentrate in lessons. He would get frustrated on young people’s lives. It’s a good career path.” I ask what he would say
easily and he didn’t have a way of channelling to any adults who are only just learning about wheelies. “I would say try to
his anger. Attending Carney’s and riding bikes understand us better than just young kids trying to cause trouble. We are
changed his life. “BikeLife has helped so many trying to get to places in our lives and provide for our families.”
people like me. Going to Carney’s has helped me
to control my feelings. And it’s the same with the By the time we catch up with the rest of the group they’ve gathered by
bikes. As soon as I used to finish school I’d head Pudding Mill Lane DLR station in Stratford, East London, near the Queen
home, get changed and head out on my bike with Elizabeth Olympic Park, more than seven miles away. It’s another popular
my mates. If I was to have a stressful day, I knew strip. When we arrive, Liam is practising his unicycle. “People view it the
riding my bike with my mates and doing wheelies wrong way, but if they were to meet us and really see what we are doing, it’s
would calm me down. If it wasn’t for BikeLife, a lot more powerful than they think,” he says of #BikeLife. Danz and Liam
I would probably still be struggling to control my recently modelled for the popular clothes brand Nicce. Bike companies
anger. You can’t ride and be angry.” and sports brands are increasingly paying young riders to wear and post
online about their products. On the one hand, this legitimises #BikeLife
Between 2011 and 2019, under the Conservative as a source of income for young riders; on the other hand, these brand
government’s austerity programme, cuts removed partnerships are rarely sustainable and they tend to only benefit a small
46 per cent of London’s youth service budgets. handful of the most visible riders. Liam argues that bike companies need to
More than 100 youth centres closed. By the end of be doing more to help the grassroots if they are going to be making money
the decade, at least £35 million less per year was from selling products to its community.
being spent on the city’s youth services compared
to pre-austerity levels. Action For Children found “For years, bike companies have not been treating us right. I feel like our
that central government funding available for voices should be heard more, because there are only a few ways you can
children and young people’s services, except edu- make a career out of bikes and one of them is getting sponsored. But brands
cation, fell from £813 per individual in 2010/11 to

154 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

take advantage of us. In most of my videos, ‘If brands #BIKELIFE
you see what bike I’m on. I’m good enough, want a
I get enough views, I promote your bike, but rider to do those outside #BikeLife culture, are understand-
when it comes to paying up or helping out, something, ing the positive strength of the movement and
you’re not there? It’s promotional work for it needs to be this understanding is creating a subtle anticrime
them, but we don’t get paid for it; we mostly set up in the behaviour shift. “Wheelie bikes are being noticed
get nothing out of it apart from a thumbs- right way’ more and when someone knows you’re on a
up and a pat on the back.” Liam’s next steps wheelie bike they know you’re not in the mix,
are to continue growing his Instagram and Riders perform as part you’re not in beef. They know it’s BikeLife, so they
YouTube platforms while formalising his of Stormzy’s headline leave you alone.”
capacity to earn from riding. “I want to set at Glastonbury,
conquer this. If brands want a rider to do June 2019 By sticking with Trizzy on my second ride-out
something, it needs to be set up in the right I manage to make it back to Stonecutter Street.
way and be professional, not all talk. Let’s “You got it! If you can keep up for a whole lap,
have it written down on paper.” you’re ready for BikeStormz now!” beams Liam,
while everyone settles at the strip again to drink
Shortly after I arrive, a police van pulls Lucozades and recharge before another lap. I
up. Two officers climb out lethargically. They head home, exhausted.
are vastly outnumbered. A huddle of gasps
and shuffling fills the air and the crowd of “It’s more than a ride-out. It’s an empower-
young riders all grab their bikes. “We don’t mind you riding or hanging ment movement. It’s to say, ‘Today, you’re the
out here normally, lads,” calls out one of the officers – he wears a weary guy and there is nobody above you and nobody
expression; it seems this isn’t the first time today – “but we can’t have you below you,’” says Ferrari triumphantly, looking
gathering like this during lockdown. Keep it moving, please.” The popularity ahead to this summer’s BikeStormz. He’s recently
of #BikeLife has skyrocketed since March 2020 as more young people have announced the event’s partnership with Adidas
sought ways of keeping active online and outdoors. It takes a few minutes and Foot Locker. He is aware of the need to ensure
of groans and defiant wheelies for the group to disperse. One boy pulls brand involvement doesn’t affect the purity of the
a swerve that misses the second officer by inches, generating triumphant culture. “These kids have a talent. Now it’s legit.”
laughter from his fellow riders. It’s undeniably hilarious – a power move,
indeed – and the two officers know it. Eventually everyone cycles off, pre- I recently returned to Carney’s Community on
sumably to go on another ride-out or find another strip. a Thursday evening on my blue Giant Defy to
get it serviced. The community centre has served
“They need their own place to ride,” the police officer explains when the young people throughout lockdown, adapting
dust settles, “an area they can own, where they don’t need to go on the roads.” constantly to social distancing rules to provide
Everyone I speak to seems to agree on this. It is, of course, hard to imagine consistent support to young people and families
wheelie riders giving up the freedom and openness of the roads entirely. across South West London. Josh Reilly welcomed
Nonetheless, competitions where riders score points for tricks in spaces that me and quickly got to work.
have been purpose-built, just like a BMX track or skate park, remain part
of Ferrari’s grand vision for turning the subculture into a respected sport. “Josh has become the go-to bike guy in the
area,” says Bradshaw. “If you’ve got a problem
Photographs Backgrid; Instagram/@lighty_liam; Instagram/@nl.kizzy; Instagram/@one_wheel_josh.17 Just like a boxer can have a knockout punch, if he goes and uses it in with your bike, Josh will fix it for you.” Reilly is
the streets he’s gonna get punished because he’s signed that he’s got studying at college and aspires to run his own
lethal weapons, he’s a sportsman now,” Ferrari explains. As he has bike shop when he is older. He still heads out
done for years, Ferrari continues to work closely with and mentor Trizzy, to practise wheelies every day. His prized C100,
Danz, Liam, Rohulla, Kizzy and many other riders to plug them with oppor- however, recently got damaged in a crash. He
tunities and provide life advice. “Once you’ve put that respect on the kids works every Thursday to save up for a new one.
so they can write in their bios ‘I’m an actual athlete’ and it’s endorsed by
sponsorships, then you can say to them, ‘Don’t swerve a bus.’ And they’ll be “When I first started out at BikeLife my head
like, ‘Why?’ And you can reply, ‘Because you’re an athlete now.’” was all over the place. I didn’t know if I was
going to make a career out of it; I didn’t know
Danz and Trizzy recently appeared in D Double E’s “Contact Us” music if I was doing it for fun or something else... Now,
video. The grime star now has his own personalised bright-green Mafia bike, I’m looking at eventually hoping to work up to
the “Bluku Rider”. Like the long-standing #BikeLife passion of US rappers getting sponsored by Mafiabikes or Collective
such as Meek Mill and Lil Uzi Vert (the former starred in the 2020 bike- Bikes. Because if I get sponsorship it will show
themed film Charm City Kings) it reflects a synergy between the UK music that all my hard work and my skills have allowed
world and #BikeLife. The most entertaining wheelie videos are cut neatly me to achieve something and that I have some-
to soundtracks of drill and trap music. In 2019, Trizzy appeared with other thing to look forward to,” Reilly says confidently.
riders in Stormzy’s “Vossi Bop” music video, before being invited on stage at “When you first start it’s hard, because you will
Glastonbury alongside the MC, who is another vocal advocate for the scene. fall, you will get injured. But what you have to
constantly think is, ‘OK, I fell, but where did I
“This is not just about bikes. It’s about growing as young people,” says go wrong?’ That’s what I do... I ride every day.
Trizzy, when we meet by London Bridge to go on another Saturday ride-out I always find time for my bike, because I don’t
– my second attempt at the central loop. “We’re all developing. It’s similar
to the way that grassroots BMX started: the issues that formed at the begin- wanna give up everything I’ve gained.” G
ning become eradicated once it becomes a professional sport.” Trizzy has
“Bikes Up, Knives Down” written in his Instagram bio. He believes that CUT SHORT: YOUTH VIOLENCE, LOSS AND HOPE IN THE CITY
current adult solutions for youth violence – such as arms-length assump- BY CIARAN THAPAR (PENGUIN, £16.99) IS OUT ON 24 JUNE.
tions made about #BikeLife – don’t speak authentically to, or come from
the minds of, young people. “It’s people who aren’t in the circle trying to + More from GQ For these related
create solutions for people in the circle.”
stories visit GQ.co.uk/magazine
Preying older boys have tended to rob younger boys for their bikes and, on
occasion, Ferrari has taken to Instagram to help a young rider find their miss- WHO CAN YOUNG PEOPLE TURN TO WHEN A FRIEND
ing property. But recently, Trizzy has detected that more young people, even OR RELATIVE IS MURDERED? (Ciaran Thapar,
November 2019)

WHAT IS THE REAL IMPACT SOCIAL MEDIA IS HAVING
ON GANG VIOLENCE? (Ciaran Thapar, June 2019)

KNIFE CRIME RISES AS YOUTH SERVICE BUDGETS ARE
SLASHED (Ciaran Thapar, May 2019)

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 155

Brothers’ keeper

On lockdown recordings, family reunions and pre-pandemic reflections, Nick Jonas’
grown-up glow-up, from Disney star to solo sex symbol, has only just begun

Story by Michael Cragg Photographs by Mariano Vivanco Styling by Luke Day

156 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

NICK JONAS

T-shirt, £455.
Trousers, £425. Both
by Dolce & Gabbana.
dolcegabbana.com.
Necklace by Alighieri,
£210. alighieri.co.uk.
Ring (on right index

finger) by Dear
Letterman, £175. At
matchesfashion.com.
Other rings and mask,

Nick’s own.
Opposite: T-shirt
by Boss, £119. boss.

com. Jeans by
Louis Vuitton, £415.

louisvuitton.com.
Necklace by Stephen

Webster, £7,400.
stephenwebster.
com. Ring (on right
index finger) by Dear
Letterman, £175.
At matchesfashion.
com. Bracelet by
Tilly Sveaas, £450.
tillysveaas.co.uk.

Other rings,
Nick’s own.

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 157

NICK JONAS

Nick Jonas is a seasoned veteran when it comes Parts of the album are very sex-focused. wear as a badge of honour. I tend to try to not
to the world of entertainment, with his career Are you conscious people use your songs to think about it, because it would make me feel a
on stage, screen and streaming services recently soundtrack sweet lovemaking? little embarrassed.
ticking into its 22nd year. Which is all the I am and I think it’s flattering. It’s important A few years ago there was a lot of talk about
more incredible when you remember the man to have a good playlist and I certainly have you having a “dad bod”. Was it weird to have
born Nicholas Jerry Jonas in Dallas, Texas, mine. I wouldn’t include my own music on that your body discussed and critiqued?
has only been on planet earth for 28 years. In playlist, though. I think when it’s comments attached to things
that time he’s evolved from the super-driven No. Quite off-putting, I imagine. such as appearance and body image, that’s when
seven-year-old appearing on Broadway to the It is. But I would be thrilled if someone used my it can become quite dangerous, because no one
de facto leader of Disney-promoted, purity music on theirs for that experience. ever knows what someone is going through or
ring-wearing family boy band Jonas Brothers Are you romantic in general? how it affects them personally. They’re very sensi-
to, more recently, the buzzcut- and bomber I would like to think so. tive topics. But, in the same way, you live a public
jacket-sporting solo star. In between all that Didn’t you propose to Priyanka the very first life and therefore parts of your life are going to
has been acting roles (Jumanji) and TV judging time you met her? be talked about and it doesn’t necessarily mean
spots (The Voice), as well as a hugely successful Kind of. It was a sort of proposal. I did get down it’s fair – it’s just a part of your reality. I’m always
Jo-Bro reunion and a high-profile marriage to on one knee and say, “Where have you been all hopeful that people will think about whether
actor Priyanka Chopra. my life?” But I didn’t say, “Will you marry me?” they would say it at a dinner party if the person
That came much later. was sitting opposite you and I’d guess that 99.9
His third solo album – well, technically his Did Priyanka give feedback on the album? per cent of people would say they wouldn’t.
fourth, if you count 2005’s Christian-leaning She’s the first person I play stuff for. Her input and Do you ever google yourself ?
self-titled debut, which most people don’t – opinions mean a lot to me, especially when it’s I don’t really google myself any more because
Spaceman, released in March, charts a sleek, something so directly tied to our experience and Twitter is pretty helpful in that regard. It feels
electropop journey through lockdown and, our relationship. She loved it, which was great. way less self-absorbed just to go and look at your
specifically, being separated from Chopra If she hadn’t liked a song, would you have mentions, as opposed to what Google is saying.
while she was away working. It’s also a record taken if off the album? But there was a time when I would probably
that touches on shared experience – there It’s important to have that dialogue. If there was have googled myself because our life is so pub-
are lyrics about facemasks on the title track, something she was working on that I didn’t feel lic. If there is something you should be aware of,
while the album booklet mentions the dreaded was 100 per cent what it could be, and vice versa, that’s out there, it’s good to have a heads-up. It’s
“new normal” – even if some of the references we would share that with each other out of love not because I want to read about myself. I prefer
skew extravagant: “This is caviar with some and respect. when it’s quiet.
Pringles,” he sings on the loved-up “Death Do you think it has taken a bit of time for you If you could only use one social media
Do Us Part”. That’s just the life of Nick Jonas to be taken seriously, given the Disney and platform for the rest of time, which one
in 2021: a heady mix of the mundane and boy band tags? would it be?
the magnificent. Yeah. I think so. That’s just naturally come with I feel like Instagram is my favourite. It’s the one I
age and with continuing to evolve and grow. feel is used less for hate. [Laughs.] Twitter, gener-
Do you remember what was in your Lots of factors have helped that. And you look ally, is such a platform for negativity. It’s also had
schedule at the start of 2020? at that graduating class of our Disney days brilliant things that have come from it, of course.
We [Jonas Brothers] had just wrapped up our [Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato But Instagram just feels fun.
tour, so we were looking forward to some down- all came from that era] and everyone’s continu- You mentioned Twitter and negativity and
time, although we couldn’t have imagined it ing to do pretty well. I don’t think working with last year that was tied into Trump and the US
would go on as long as it did. It’s been bizarre. [Disney] has the stigma that it did in our day, elections. Do you feel more positive about
I’ve spent so much of my life travelling and doing thankfully. I think it’s wonderful what’s happen- 2021 in that regard?
different things. That part of it I was OK with ing with Olivia Rodrigo and others who have I feel very hopeful. I feel optimistic. I feel a sense
[losing], because I understand the importance been launched on programmes that are targeted of peace that I didn’t feel before, because the tone
of all of us staying home, but I also just really towards teenagers but are still being taken seri- of communication now seems more reasonable,
missed the action, things happening. It’s nice ously. I think one of the biggest misconceptions more balanced and more appropriate. And that’s
that it’s starting to feel like life is getting back to about [Jonas Brothers] in the early days was encouraging. There’s still so much that we’ve got
a version of normal now. that, first of all, it was manufactured, which is to figure out. And that’s not limited to American
The Jonas Brothers reunion was hugely just impossible because, well, we’re brothers. politics – that’s globally. I feel like things are
successful. Do you like the risk of going back The second was that the music we released as starting to get cleaned up, but there’s a lot of
to the solo work, of having to carry it all on Jonas Brothers was manufactured in some ways. stuff every day that is saddening and dishearten-
your shoulders? It truly wasn’t. ing to consume. And that’s on top of what’s been
I suppose I could always blame the other two guys Do you think how you look – objectively going on this past year with Covid. I’m hopeful
in the band if things didn’t pan out. [Laughs.] But attractive – has meant people have perhaps that we’re turning that corner after 2020, which
no. You carry the same responsibility as a solo art- been dismissive of your work? I think was one of the worst years ever.
ist as you do in a group, I feel. I just love to create, I don’t know if I’m at liberty to say that or not,
so perhaps the volume of my solo output is more because it’s something about me. That certainly SPACEMAN BY NICK JONAS IS OUT NOW.
reflective of that, rather than making a conscious doesn’t affect my ability to appreciate someone
decision to do more solo stuff over Brothers stuff. else’s work. But we don’t all think the same + More from GQ For these related
There are certain creative instincts I have as a way, so I’m not sure. I can understand that it is
solo artist that are just inherently different when a thing. stories visit GQ.co.uk/magazine
I’m recording with the group. How do you feel about being considered
When did you start working on Spaceman? a sex symbol? NICK JONAS AND PRIYANKA CHOPRA’S BEST LOOKS
Last summer. I was kind of bored at home. It’s Er, I think it’s flattering, but attraction is such (Faye Fearon, September 2020)
a true reflection of what I was feeling and the a nuanced thing. I don’t take it too seriously.
experiences I was having navigating this strange I just learn to laugh about it and think about HOW ZENDAYA WENT FROM DISNEY TO THE EMMYS
time, and of spending some time away from my the fact that my parents are probably reading (Olive Pometsey, September 2019)
wife, while she was shooting. I talk about that in some of the comments. It’s not something I
the music and bring it to life. HOW TO DRESS LIKE NICK JONAS
(Zak Maoui, July 2018)

158 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

NICK JONAS

‘Priyanka is the
first person
I play stuff for.
Her opinion
means a lot’

T-shirt by Boss, £119.
boss.com. Jeans by
Louis Vuitton, £415.

louisvuitton.com.
Necklace by Stephen

Webster, £7,400.
stephenwebster.
com. Bracelet by
Tilly Sveaas, £450.
tillysveaas.co.uk.
Ring (on right index

finger) by Dear
Letterman, £175. At
matchesfashion.com.

Other ring,
Nick’s own.

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 159

NICK JONAS

160 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

NICK JONAS

Jacket, £3,850.
Trousers, £610. Both
by Ralph Lauren
Purple Label.
ralphlauren.co.uk.
Vest by Hanro,
£41. hanro.com.
Necklace by Stephen
Webster, £7,400.
stephenwebster.
com. Bracelet
by Tilly Sveaas,
£450. tillysveaas.
co.uk. Ring by Dear
Letterman, £175. At
matchesfashion.com

Opposite: Shirt
by Valentino,
£1,150. valentino.
com. Necklaces,
from top, by Dear
Letterman, £190. At
matchesfashion.com.
By Alighieri, £210.
alighieri.co.uk

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 161

NICK JONAS

162 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

NICK JONAS

‘[Being considered
a sex symbol]
is flattering,
but I don’t take
it too seriously’

Jacket, £1,350.
Waistcoat, £380.
Trousers, £460. All
by Emporio Armani.
armani.com. Necklace
by Tilly Sveaas, £300.
tillysveaas.co.uk

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 163

NICK JONAS

‘The biggest
misconception
was that our
music was
manufactured.
It truly wasn’t’

164 GQ.CO.UK JULY 2021

NICK JONAS

Jacket by Emporio
Armani, £1,150.
armani.com.

Necklaces, from
top, by Dear

Letterman, £190. At
matchesfashion.com.

By Alighieri, £210.
alighieri.co.uk

Opposite: Hoodie by
Jacquemus, £350.
jacquemus.com.
Shorts by Brunello
Cucinelli, £770.
brunellocucinelli.
com. Ring by Dear

Letterman, £175. At
matchesfashion.com

Grooming
Charley McEwen

using Tom
Ford Beauty
Digital technician
Cavit Erginsoy

Set design
Trish Stephenson

Photography
assistants

Freddie Hare;

Joe Petini G

JULY 2021 GQ.CO.UK 165





























BRITAIN | PROPERTY

ISLAND LIFE

Why not escape the city and make the move to the Balearics?
There’s a wealth of remarkable homes on these sun-kissed isles,
from beachside Ibizan villas to remote Mallorcan farmhouses

A s summer gets underway, the
prospect of escaping to a sun-
drenched island has never
sounded more appealing.
The Balearics are a perennially popular

spot, and the recent shift to remote

working has meant that more people

are able to consider a change in lifestyle,

away from the traditional nine-to-five.

‘We have seen an increase in people

wanting to move away from the city, or

at least invest in a second countryside or

coastal home to escape to throughout

the year,’ says Charlie Hill of Charles

Marlow & Bros, an estate agency based

in Mallorca and Ibiza. ‘The Balearic

lifestyle is all about slow living – long,

slow, delicious mid-week lunches with

loved ones, late-evening dinners sat

outside on a warm terrace sharing a

bottle of local Mallorcan red, Saturday

brunches and Sunday hikes to your

favourite cala.’

A perfect property for those seeking a

more laidback lifestyle is Can Serra in

Ibiza, a beautiful six-bedroom villa in

Santa Gertrudis, described by Condé

Nast Traveller as ‘Ibiza’s loveliest village’.

The property itself has a

CAN SERRA, IBIZA tranquil atmosphere, with
panoramic views across the
Located down a private road and surrounded by surrounding olive groves.
pretty countryside, this generously sized villa has Set over three levels, it
a huge master suite, multiple terraces, and a three- blends contemporary and
bedroom guest house. With the village of Santa traditional elements, with
Gertrudis close by, there are plenty of restaurants pared-back interiors that
and shops to explore. €6.5 million. feature wooden beams
Domus Nova: 00 34 871 575 687

and floor-to-ceiling win-

dows. A large pergola creates a leafy

spot for outdoor dining, while the oval-

shape swimming pool makes an elegant

focal point at the centre of the gardens.

In Mallorca, Roddy Aris of Knight

Frank says that the overall demand for

properties on the island is up 30 per cent

on last year, as more people decide to

invest in a place in the sun. There are

VILLA INSPIRATION,
IBIZA

This five-bedroom villa in
San José has a generous
terrace with a pool that
makes the most of the
property’s fantastic sea
views. Highlights include an
open-plan living area, with
sliding doors that recess
into the walls to seamlessly
connect the interior with the
outdoors. €7.9 million.
Knight Frank: 020 7861 5034

LA TRANQUILA, MENORCA

Completed in 2018, this sea-front villa is right next to Cala Galdana,
one of Menorca’s largest and most picturesque beaches. Aged-timber
beams and Moroccan-style arches imbue this six-bedroom property
with plenty of character. €4 million.
Engel & Völkers: 00 34 971 179 700

SON ELVIRA, MALLORCA

A 10-minute walk from the heart of Deià, this stylish
villa spans over 8,500 square feet and has six double
bedrooms.The large terraces to the front and rear of
the property provide plenty of places to sit and soak

up the sunshine. €6.9 million.
Charles Marlow & Bros: 020 3608 6965

CALLE ALZINA, MALLORCA

Just 10 kilometres from Palma in the Bendinat hills, this estate comprises three separate properties,
making it perfect for hosting family and friends.With multiple pools, spacious interiors, and breathtaking views of

both sea and mountains, it’s also close to amenities such as the Royal Bendinat Golf Club. €12.9 million.
Chestertons International: 020 3040 8210

VILLA AMATISTA, IBIZA still plenty of captivating homes to choose
from, however, such as Son Elvira, a new-
Dating back to the 17th century,Villa Amatista occupies an enviably central location, build property in Deià with stunning sea
with views across the Old Town and Ibiza Port, and situated a mere 10-minute drive views, generous terraces, and six double
from the airport. Standout features include the vast entrance hall and a large master bedrooms, all en suite.
suite opening on to the pool terrace. POA.
Domus Nova: 00 34 871 575 687 Or for the ultimate lifestyle change, Savills
is currently selling a small organic farm
located in a tranquil valley close to Pollensa.
The traditional Mallorcan farmhouse
has been tastefully restored to create a
comfortable modern home, and each of the
four bedrooms has dramatic views of the
nearby Tramuntana mountains. There’s a
separate one-bedroom guest house, while
the surrounding land has been used to
produce figs, apples and olives, and rs
the potential for establishing a vineyard, if
desired, so you can live the good life without
ever having to leave your own home.

DEIA, MALLORCA

A short stroll from the beach, this three-storey villa has plenty
of amenities, including a lift, a gym and an indoor pool.There’s another

pool outside, from which you can admire the sweeping
sea views. €3.3 million.
Savills: 020 7016 3866

CAS BERNATS, MALLORCA

In the heart of the Tramuntana mountains lies an atmospheric
14th-century farmhouse, set on about 17 acres and surrounded by
ancient olive trees. It has been sensitively modernised, and now has 12
bedrooms plus a separate two-bedroom guest house. €10 million.
Charles Marlow & Bros: 020 3608 6965

POLLENSA,
MALLORCA

Tucked away in a private
setting, this traditional
Mallorcan farmhouse
has five bedrooms and a
separate guest cottage,
surrounded by mature
gardens.The land has
been farmed organically,
with produce including
citrus fruits, figs and
olives. €2.8 million.
Savills: 020 7016 3866

HOLLY MOUNT

HAMPSTEAD VILLAGE NW3

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO
OFFER THIS EXQUISITE 5 BEDROOM,
GEORGIAN GRADE II LISTED FAMILY
HOME PRESENTED TO THE MARKET

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 75 YEARS.

The house which retains a plethora of original features is
located on an elevated position in the heart of Hampstead
Village.
This wonderful property benefits from having bright, well
proportioned accommodation predominantly over four floors
with a good size West facing garden which is accessed from
both the ground and lower floors as well as having two large
single garages and stunning City views from the upper floors
and roof.
ACCOMMODATION & AMENITIES
Entrance Hall | Dining Room | Reception Room | Office
Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Family Room | Utility Room
Cloakroom | Master Bedroom with Dressing Room and En Suite
Shower Room | Four Further Bedrooms | Family Bathroom
Shower Room and En Suite Shower Room | Loft Room
Generous West Facing Patio Area and Garden
Two Large Single Garages | Residents Parking.

TERMS
TENURE Freehold
GUIDE PRICE
Upon Application
Subject to Contract
SOLE SELLING
AGENTS

PHOTOGRAPH: Mimi Connolly

BUILDING YOUR DREAM

A property consultancy like no other is how the RedBook Agency describes itself.
A bold claim but with good reason

It was exactly 10 years ago that this unique London-based firm That is one big rence. And now RedBook is changing up a
was launched to help private clients with ambitious property gear, revved up by its new CEO Tom Adams and a fast-growing
projects. A decade on, RedBook has launched close to 250 team to add another dimension to their consultancy. The firm
such projects for its clients, ranging from the redecoration and is using its extraordinary professional network to help clients
refurbishment of London houses and flats in an astonishing even before they buy, aligning them with the optimal sales and
array of styles to new-build houses on every scale in the country. buying agents – and ring feasibility studies where clients are
Each project is completed with specialists from architects to considering major projects as part of their purchase. Once their
interior designers, along with project managers and other project is complete, RedBook will also be there to advise on
experts chosen specifically to suit the clients’ vision, their taste aftercare: from the best property managers to security experts and
and budget – all selected from RedBook’s curated ‘best in class’ art consultants. As the Financial Times puts it, this is the firm ‘with
range of talent. the unrivalled contacts book’.

PROPERTY PROMOTION

‘While RedBook’s main focus remains the UK, we are also now
helping more and more clients with homes overseas, such as in the
United States, India and Saudi Arabia too,’ explains the founding
director, Sandy Mitchell. ‘Our service abroad is just the same as at
home: giving the best advice on how to launch projects quickly and
cost e ctively, sharing deep knowledge of the talent available to
make those projects happen, calling upon the best architects and
designers as well as the cleverest technical consultants.’

Not content to stop there, RedBook has just unveiled two new
additions to its distinguished Advisory Board, leading the firm’s
drive to advance the ‘green’ agenda: Charlie Burrell, the acclaimed
expert on ‘rewilding’ land, known for his brilliant pioneering
work on his estate at Knepp Castle in Sussex; and Pooran Desai,
internationally recognised for his expertise on sustainability in the
built environment.

‘While much has changed at RedBook, the fundamentals remain
the same,’ explains Tom Adams. ‘We are extraordinarily attentive
to clients, and our advice to them is impartial and independent. We
see things from their point of view because we work so closely with
them as their trusted advisers. But we are also ‘‘under the bonnet’’
with suppliers, thanks to the time and e we put in to knowing
how they work, what rentiates them, how they charge, and
what makes them tick as individuals – information never available
however much you Google.’

If you are considering a property project, and want to launch it quickly
with the ideal team and minimum of costs and risk, contact RedBook for an
initial consultation.

Expertise in every project type, from
pure interior design to new build

REDBOOK

Tel: 020 7060 6222
Email: [email protected]
redbookagency.com



PROPERTY PROMOTION

DESIGNS ON SURREY

Surrey’s golden triangle continues to shine as a coveted place to live with London Square’s
elegant new Arts and Crafts -style neighbourhood in Walton-on-Thames

T he chic villages and towns of Esher, Cobham, Weybridge rooms; and stone and herringbone wood flooring and fireplaces in
and Walton-on-Thames have the biggest concentration selected homes. Handsome one- and two-bedroom apartments are
of high value homes outside prime London. The area is also being created, with attractive tile-hung pitched roofs and Arts
studded with exclusive estates and top performing schools and Crafts detail.
and attracts leading sports personalities and business superstars
seeking homes with privacy, surrounded by beautiful countryside, The new neighbourhood is within walking distance of good
and with fast access to central London, Heathrow and Gatwick. shops, a farmers’ market, riverside paths, open spaces, plus excellent
schools for all ages. The town’s train station is a 12-minute walk,
Award-winning developer London Square has chosen the pretty with a 26-minute fast commute to London Waterloo.
riverside town of Walton-on-Thames for its new classic Arts and
Crafts-style neighbourhood, set in over five acres of gardens with Jo McDonagh, Sales and Marketing Director of London Square,
mature trees and landscaping, in the desirable Ashley Park area. said: ‘We have seen an incredible response from buyers. The interest
London Square Walton-on-Thames is a collection of distinctive has come from people living in London, as well as those living
and imposing three- and four-bedroom homes and five-bedroom locally, from first-time buyers to young families and downsizers.
detached family houses, all with private gardens, reflecting the This reflects the range of beautifully designed, first-class homes
renowned Surrey Arts and Crafts style of architecture, with design and the unrivalled quality of the lifestyle that Walton-on-Thames
flourishes featuring generous bay windows and impressive façades,
from a mellow palette of red, grey and yellow brick. The interior rs.’ Three- and four-bedroom houses start from £1,050,000.
specification is outstanding with Shaker-style or sleek, contemporary
kitchens, depending on house type; utility rooms, studies and dressing For further information, please call
London Square Walton On Thames on 0333 666 2636
or email [email protected]

THE THING W herever I am, I always have one
of Cire Trudon’s Ernesto candles
Olivier burning next to me to inspire me.
Rousteing The scent opens a door in my mind and allows

on Cire Trudon’s me to travel to my perfect world, which is a mix
Ernesto candle
of the world of my childhood and who I am today.
The MVP (most valued possession) of fashion’s MVPs.
This month: the creative director of Balmain It helps me to be really creative. You know when

As told to Teo van den Broeke you have a scent that you love, that reminds you

of a place or a moment from the past, but at the

same time it makes you dream about a period in

your life? Well, sometimes that can make me feel

more creative, because the scent will make me

think of a particular colour, maybe, or a dress

that my mother was wearing.

I’ve always loved the story of Cire Trudon,

because it feels really French and ancient. I come

from Bordeaux, but I moved to Paris 14 years ago.

I didn’t know the brand’s story when I was young,

but when I came to the city I became obsessed

with the Cire Trudon store in Saint-Germain and

I started buying the candles for my apartment.

They are not cheap, of course, as Cire Trudon is

the oldest candle manufacturer in France – it

made the candles for the Palace Of Versailles in

the 17th and 18th centuries – but the pomp and

ceremony of the brand appeals to me so much.

Personally I wear Chanel No22. It’s not similar

to the scent of the candle exactly, but what I love

about No22 is that it’s a bit more masculine than

No5. The similarity between Chanel No22 and

the scent of my Cire Trudon candle is that both

feel timeless. They’re strong and deep. There

is a story behind

them both. For me, ‘Cire Trudon
wearing a scent feels ancient.
is about inviting It made the
someone into your candles for
world – it’s the first the Palace Of
thing someone Versailles’
experiences about
you – therefore I

personally prefer a

scent that is timeless and has a history behind it.

I burn my candle every day, in summer and

winter, so I have to replace it once every month,

at least. Candles have always been part of my life,

in fact – when I was a child my parents had a

lot of candles. I would love to make a Balmain

scented candle. Scent, in general, is a big project

for Balmain. I recently celebrated being creative

director for ten years, but it takes a very long time

to find the scent that defines a house. Fragrance

and beauty elements of any house really need

time to become clearly defined. What is the smell?

What is the code? It’s not easy, but it’s some-

thing I’m obsessed with and hope we will come

to really soon.

If I was a fragrance I would say that I would be

a woody note – I love the darkness of woods and

the depth too. I’m obsessed with ebony and I love

that idea of intensity. I wouldn’t be a fruity note,

because I don’t like those emojis [laughs]. But, Illustration Kagan McLeod

seriously, I wouldn’t be a fruit fragrance because

they’re too funny and, you know, I have dungeons

in me and it doesn’t matter that I bring glamour

and fabulousness into my work because, at the

end of the day, there’s depth and strength to me.

Therefore I could not be a fruit fragrance. I’m not

a huge fan of lemon or vanilla either. G

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