at Df HQ! It will reach all our wonderful subscribers and stockists any day now (Australian ones that is … international folk will take a bit longer).
Cover photograph by Sabrina Ward Harrison.

[*Spoiler warning* If you want the five people in Issue 21 to remain a surprise until you receive your copy - read no further]

Photography by Marije Vogelzang

Marije Vogelzang
We all eat, but very few of us really stop to think about why or how. Marije Vogelzang does. She is an ‘eating designer’ and you’re forgiven for not knowing exactly what that might be, because you see, she practically invented the term herself, or at least it was invented for her. During the course of Marije’s design training in The Netherlands she began asking questions like; Why don’t we like blue tomatoes? Can you actually taste it if food is made with love? How big is the maximum size of a spoon? When was the last time someone fed you? Despite numerous challenges she has gone on to open a restaurant in Rotterdam and another restaurant/studio in Amsterdam, both called Proef. Marije is now one of the most exciting and sought-after designers in Europe today with museums, galleries, public and private companies and individuals all wanting to experience first-hand one of her meals, workshops or installations … Df

Photography by Julie Maher for the WCS

Julian Fennessy
Julian Fennessy loves Africa and its extraordinary wildlife and is determined not to let one of its most iconic, and yet understood, species become extinct. It defies belief, but several sub-species of giraffe – yes, it’s giraffe (plural) not giraffes – are on the verge of extinction. While giraffe as a whole species are on endangered watchlists, Julian’s ground-breaking genetic research suggests that giraffe sub-species are so distinct that they need to be protected and conserved at that Julian is currently the Executive Director of the Kenya Land Conservation Trust, the current Chair (and founding member) of the International Giraffe Working Goup, and a founder and trustee of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation … Df

Kali Arulpragasam
Now this is a girl who has been places and is ‘going places’ too. These days Kali Arulpragasam makes extraordinary collections of jewellery. They’re not everyone’s cuppa, but they’re not meant to be. They’re meant to stimulate conversation and thought around issues Kali feels passionate about. Being passionate about issues runs in her blood. Born into a Tamil family in Sri Lanka, her father went into politics when she was very young. It sent them into hiding during the civil war and eventually they had to leave, ending up in the UK where they finally found some stability. They are probably the most well-known expat Tamils in the world (Kali’s younger sister Maya is a very successful hip hop artist known by the name M.I.A.) and often speak up about the conflict still destroying their homeland and against wars all over the world … Df

Photograph by Tom Hunt

Jim Haynes
Jim Haynes loves people and he loves life. Now in his late 70s, he has served dinner to over 130,000 people in his Parisian home/atelier over the past 33 years. In 2005, 18 people got together and wrote a book in homage to their friend Jim who “has made getting to know people his life’s work.” In it publisher John Calder explains, “It is not so much that he is innocent – at his age and with his experiences he could hardly be that – but that he wills himself to be an optimist … He sees the world as he wants to see it and ignores all evidence to the contrary.” Jim was lucky enough to be a young adult in the ‘swinging’ ‘60s, a time and an attitude that seemed to suit him perfectly. Art and culture have been central to his life; he started the first paperback only bookstore in the UK in Edinburgh in the late ‘50s, closely followed by the Traverse Theatre, the Arts Lab in Covent Garden and ‘IT’ newspaper. He has authored a number of books and published several more, and then there are the dinners … Df

Photography by Kate Spence

Victoria Spence
When I sat down to interview Victoria Spence I had no idea that the very together, refined, warm woman before me had had such a rocky journey to this point – living testament to the old adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. What I knew about Victoria was what I’d jotted in my ‘editorial spreadsheet’; a web address and the recommendation I’d received from a subscriber, Dean Whittle. He mentioned her youth spent as an elite athlete and current vocation as a celebrant ‘with a difference’; with true passion and respect for the role of ceremony in our lives, particularly at their ends. I’d really just followed my gut to her door. It turns out that’s how Victoria lives her life too … Df

Order a copy of Issue 21 here.

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