Meet Keith Chilvers

October 29, 2024

When was the last time you had your face painted? Maybe it was at a childhood birthday party or a local fair, where your chosen mask sparked a day of pretend play. Revisiting this childhood ritual, artists Angel Velluto and Janina Zais took us across London to meet eight seniors whose stories revealed resilience and strength. Each participant was asked to fill out a Proustian-inspired questionnaire, and their responses were discussed with the team before being translated into unique masks by Zais. During the process, we had the chance to chat with each person to learn more about why the face paint they chose felt like a fitting tribute to their lives.

Keith Chilvers, 77, was born in Wolverhampton and now lives on Wellington Row in East London. He is obsessed with dogs and currently shares Hunter with a dear friend. His home is covered in beautiful wood carvings he makes himself and pictures of his past pets. On his balcony, he grows tomatoes and sweet peppers and in the front communal garden of his apartment block, he is trying to create a meadow of wildflowers for the other residents to enjoy.

Creative Angel Velluto
Producer Angel Velluto
Interview by Angel Velluto
Photography by Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Face-Paint by Janina Zais
Director/DOP Ruby Harris
Editor Helen Teixeira
Casting by Rebecca Zephyr Thomas and Angel Velluto
Stills-film process and scan by Labyrinth

Where were you born?

Wolverhampton.

Where do you feel most comfortable?

London.

What quality do you think defines you most?

I do what I say I’m going to or die trying.

What do you look for in a companion?

Not talking too much.

What is your biggest weakness?

Refusing to give up.

What is your biggest strength?

Refusing to give up!

What has surprised you most in life?

Lasting this long.

What does your perfect day look like?

Laid back.

What is your favorite color?

Green.

Who are your favorite fictional characters?

Cohen the Barbarian from Discworld.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

Jerry Garcia.

What is your favorite food?

Christmas food: mince pies, pudding, etc.

What quality do you dislike most in someone?

Pushy people.

What is your earliest memory?

Being in the hospital, aged 3 with appendicitis.

What is your biggest luxury?

Buying guitars.

How do you show someone you love them?

Just by being there for them.

Culture

Le Keep and Full Kit Wnkrs Take Us to Church

Accompanied by the raucous Tiny Gun, fronted by Subway Takes’ own Kareem Rahma, Le Keep premiered a debut set. The five-piece delivered rich, melodic indie that, as is true to songwriter Steele Kratt, pulled on the audience's heartstrings. It must be noted that Steele, changed clothes multiple times, bearing his ass, mid-song during the set. Unfortunately, that wasn’t photographed as thoroughly as it should’ve been.

The evening was full of celebration and controlled chaos, which saw droves of enterprising walk-ups trying to enter the sold-out event with fake tickets and cash bribes. The night showed us that Le Keep is a new face in the New York City music scene, and this is only the beginning.

Watch this space, and see for yourself, with photos by New York’s nightlife photographer-in-chief, Matt Weinberger.

Culture

office x Guess USA Issue 21 Launch Party

Culture

office celebrates issue 21 with vowels

May 18, 2024

v owels is the new brand on the block, having just debuted its first capsule collection. Last week, designer Yuki Yagi, the founder and creative director of the made-in-Japan alt-luxury label, also unveiled its all-new showroom and research library that includes thousands of books and magazines from the designer’s archival research. Yagi imagines the space as a haven for those aching to slow down and escape into the pages of a good book.

Given the showroom's celebration of print media, it made perfect sense for us to come together right after to celebrate the launch of issue 21, our final print issue, at Habibi. Cover stars Miles Greenberg, Memphy and Efron Danzig (issue 20), as well as Kim Shui, Aweng Chuol, Dylan Ali, Jo Rosenthal joined us before heading downstairs for the after party.

Peep the photos by Andy Martinez below.