Studio - Time to unplug

Time to lighten up: ”Spiritual Journey" explores a clean bohemian vibe lead by heavy lace, earth-tones, and bold floral elements. Reflecting a sense of tranquillity, this ultra-feminine key look should remind us of the mood-altering effect of warm colours such as rose gold. ⇢ SHOP THE ROSE GOLD EDIT ⇠

Diving into a retro modern world of gender fluid cuts, mixed with classic and tomboyish vibes, this week's L&J style is all about our LJXII Lugano 40 mm in white and silver.   Model wears the LJXII LUGANO MILANESE 40MM SILVER WHITE  

It’s Friday. It’s Bank Holiday. - Oh, isn’t that a beautiful feeling? Finally, we all have enough time to get out and do more of the fun things. For example? Well, although our weather app doesn’t promise any sunshine coming our way this weekend, there are some London art galleries featuring fantastic exhibitions you shouldn’t miss out on… DON MCCULLIN Tate Britain Until May 6 Photo credit: @tate Renowned British photographer Don McCullen’s collection of war photography - including more than 250 images from over the last 60 years - showcases his brutal honesty and the gloomy, though truthful character of his work.   ONLY HUMAN: PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTIN PARR National Portrait Gallery Until May 27 Photo credit: @martinparrstudio Infamous photographer Martin Parr loves capturing the true essence of people’s characters within his work. His latest exhibition “Only Human” at the National Portrait Gallery, Parr unveils his observations of the typical Britishness in a truly authentic way.   CHRISTIAN MARCLAY Until May 15 White Cube Mason’s Yard Photo credit: @whitecube Looking for truly artistic inspiration? Marclay is back to town with a new exhibition featuring two new video works which explore and rethink the relationship between text and image.

CODE DOT Embracing your individuality is second nature to you. By simply staying authentic and true to yourself, you have developed a true talent for embracing comfortable looks with a fashion-forward character. OPERA MILANESE Do you love everything simple and sophisticated? Gotcha! You are a real casual-style-chameleon, seeking inspiration from experimenting with classic trends and bold statements. LJXII NORSE Your free-spirited mindset makes you unafraid to try anything new: The rebel in you always leads you back to taking a walk on the wild side of life. However, stressing out about latest trends isn’t your thing; instead you trust your gut. And guess what? It works!

Tell us about your journey with Larsson & Jennings so far. What do you enjoy most about the role?   L&J was a brand that I admired from afar from the brand’s early days in Australia, around 2015. I loved how the classic aesthetic disrupted the watch style market and how the brand stuck to its dedication to quality even amongst the saturation. When I moved to London, I did not expect to have a chance to work with the brand. I knew it was inspired by both Stockholm & London – but I had no idea it was right here! So I was pretty excited to join the team to take care of the Performance Media. Being able to explore different ways to reach (and persuade) L&J’s audience has been a creative and fun experience. Who are you when you’re not in the studio? I am an avid traveller. I like to explore the trails of Europe a lot because I’m Aussie - it’s in my blood. But I also LOVE my work – so I’m actually working on being able to help more businesses and brands with Digital Advertising through making free content and some training courses. You know, just some side hustling. In what way does your watch mean for you? This timepiece actually represents for me – a commitment to maintaining a higher energy. When I put it on in the morning, it’s what reminds me that we only have so much time in the day. This truly make me just want to make the most out of it.  Three words that best describe your style?  Bold. Not too crazy, but I do love block bright colours sometimes paired with simple basics. Tomboyish. I like to be comfy and you never know when you might need to break out into dance. Versatile for sure though, I can wear a dress and pop on some heels when I need to. I just can’t really walk in them. What would you do if you had a million pounds? First, I’d reinvest that to make 100 million through businesses, the stock market, you name it! And then I’d do all the responsible sh*t, like take care of my family and also give loads back to charity – I’d even make my own foundation. But then I would buy technology science lab that could make a real life transformer that could fly me to any travel destination I so desire and take my friends with me.  Best movie of all time? “Pursuit of Happiness” – hands down. LOVE Will Smith. Cry every time. Inspired every time. “Hey. Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me.” – Insert crying emoji here What is the last thing you watched on YouTube? Behind the scenes of Game of Thrones, Season 8 Episode 3 – The Battle of Winterfell – DUH! Respect to Lady Mormont! The most exciting moment in your life? Watching the sunrise of a new year over a volcano crater lake in Guatemala whilst getting robbed by banditos all while very intoxicated. – Exciting and terrifying all at the same time.  What mantra do you live by? I added, “Work Hard, Hustle Harder” to my Instagram @juneaye and I’ve never really swayed away from that. I believe that working hard and playing just as hard allows for great experiences and growth all while having the best time.  Minimalism or maximalism? Minimalism. I have moved hemispheres before – I’ve learned you don’t need too much to live a good way. Your guilty pleasure? Define guilty. Because I don’t feel that guilty when I do this – but I just really enjoy a good beer. And thanks to my immunity to hangovers, I just love having beers when I’m happy or when I’m down or if I am working or travelling – so a lot of the time. It seems I should feel guilty because too much alcohol is bad for you. Drink responsibly, kids.

Slip dresses, denim streetwear and the ultimate grunge look: It’s 2019 and we still can’t get enough of those iconic 90s fashion styles. Especially if you were born in Generation Y, you will probably remember the glorious time of living in your overalls and FILA trainers. Sounds familiar? We decided to take a modern twist on this one and many following trends by bringing you some essential ‘L&J Styled’ #ootd inspiration.The ultimate 90s minimal watch? Our Code collection holds the answer! With its playful elements and young character, Code combines the feel of timeless elegance with your individuality. We styled the Code Dot Milanese 33mm in silver/black, bringing together 90s vibes with a classic feel.

Funny how a melody can sound like a memory, don’t you think? We created a vibrant playlist for you to unplug, feed your mind and get inspired to reminiscence about the good times, besides creating some epic new memories.            

LILLIE BERNIEFOR LARSSON & JENNINGS   Bright, positive and optimistic in a world that doesn’t always seem to help an emerging artist out. We talked to the energetic Londoner, Lillie Bernie about the abstract nature of her work, modelling alongside painting and the importance of Instagram for artists. Lillie comes across as friendly, chatty, relaxed and open. A sharp contrast to her work. Her abstract paintings which convey her interpretations of human emotion are as nebulous as they are intriguing. Lillie’s journey into the art world is emblematic of the DIY generation: “I had a painting in my family home and people would always ask, “Who did that?” And I would say, “Me!”. One day my aunt asked me to make a painting, I made it for her and then put it on Instagram.” That was the start of everything for Lillie. Her best friend asked if she could make her one too, which she also put on Instagram. From that, increasing numbers of people started paying attention to her work. She’s thankful for the platform Instagram gave her. The plaudits and recognition of her work by others gave her the confidence to pursue art as a full-time career. It also helped her to connect with other artists who gave her contacts and guidance into the art world. “Before I knew it I was in Miami doing a show, over there I did a live painting, which gave me more exposure. It was a continuous spiral and now I’m here doing it as a job!” Although she admits her path to becoming an artist has been fortunate she has no doubts about her calling in life. “I’m doing this for a reason. You know when you’re supposed to be creative.” Her work is bright, coloured and full of texture. Lillie uses emotion and takes inspiration from other people’s viewpoints to create her work. “I find it so interesting that you can have a conversation with two different people about the same subject and they can have completely different views on it.” And although she has an idea in her head of how the paintings will turn out, she has to adapt due to the unpredictability of the methods she uses to paint. “I just have to go with how I feel it’s gonna look the best. I learn best through trial and error. I can’t sit and paint tiny slow details. I like to be messy and free. It’s just my style. It’s how I started painting.” Lillie talks about the negativity she has received due to her modelling career alongside her career as an artist. “Some people don’t take me seriously, because I model, but I think it’s wrong for people to try and pigeonhole you as one thing. I don’t see why you can’t do two things. I express my creativity through modelling and painting. It’s not cheap being an artist. Modelling helps me to fund it.” When asked about the London art scene, Lillie has strong views. She feels London doesn’t support emerging artists. And witnessed this first hand when her studio was closed down to make way for new flats. “In Madrid, there are so many places to work as an artist for free. In London, we’re lucky with the number of exhibitions that we can see. But it’s difficult for emerging artists to get a foothold anywhere. Every studio I’ve been to visit say they don’t know how long we can have you for because they’re worried the council is going to shut us down and turn us into flats.” Her plans for the future are busy and broad. She has some modelling work for international agencies and art shows coming up in April and Miami Basel in November. Photographer: William Henry ThompsonStylist: Phoebe BrannickHair & Make-up: Sasha KeeneWriters: Simon Allen & Patrick SillaModel: Lillie BernieIn Partnership with TMRW  

Store Manager Robin will have worked at L&J for three years in August. The raw minimalist character of the brand is what caught his eye in the first place. “I think minimalism is an art form. Just because something doesn’t have a lot of features doesn’t implicate that it can’t have an arty character. There is a marginal line between bare and minimal aesthetics that Larsson & Jennings never crosses.”   TOP TIPS  If you decided to go for a leather strap, keeping the leather dry at all times certainly contributes to its longevity. If you prefer waterproofed leather, the patent straps are a brilliant alternative option. As with all leathers, sunlight slightly changes the material’s colour. Hence, whenever you take off your watch make sure to place it in a spot where there is no direct sunshine. Metal straps are usually easier to maintain. All Larsson and Jennings metal watches are waterproof up to 50 meters. Styles like the Velo even resist up to 100 meters. So don't worry about taking your watch into the shower with you. However, very hot water temperatures are not recommended as those can make the metal shrink. If you wear perfume on your wrists, try to spray it on the middle part of your forearm as it may darken the metal. Another great option to maintain your straps is by simply mixing it up. Having two or more straps for the same watch face gives you more room to play besides making them last longer. In Summer I’d recommend loosening the straps. This can help the material to breathe and therefore keeping it in shape. Gentle window cleaner removes stains very easily and keeps your watch shiny and in a great condition. Use a regular toothbrush to reach small corners.

Over the next few months, we're going behind the scenes of L&J studio life to bring you a more intimate view on the team that keeps L&J ticking. Without further ado, meet Max, our Business Development Assistant.  Tell us about your journey with Larsson & Jennings so far. What do you enjoy most about the role? My journey with L&J actually started on a very temporary basis. The wholesale team needed some extra hands on deck in the build-up to Baselworld 2018. They ended up taking me with them to the show, and a little over a year later I’m still here… So I suppose it went quite well! I’ve witnessed the many developments of the brand throughout the past year so could speak for a while on this! It’s been an exciting journey, to say the least. My role offers a lot of insight into many aspects of the brand but one of my favourite things has always been how involved with the product I get to be. I feel if I want to sell a product I have to really understand what it is, how it works, what it means to people. Without this, I think people would notice a missing link in the chain. Who are you when you’re not in the studio? I like to keep myself pretty busy, which is quite easy when living with your best mates… sometimes too easy when I have life admin I should be doing! I also like to keep fairly active. In fact, a few of the L&J team have signed up for the Hackney Half Marathon in May so there’s some training for that going on at the moment. Perhaps not as much as there should be though! In what way does your watch reflect your personality? Hard to say. I’ve amassed a small collection since I started at L&J so you could say they all reflect different parts of me. I’ll always change them up depending on what I’m wearing or how I’m feeling, but my favourite is my LJXII Norse 40mm Silver/White with the chain metal. It’s such a versatile watch that works for me no matter what the situation.  Three words that best describe your style? Generally, it’s pretty simple. I feel like I’m quite an easy person to buy for. Fairly diverse. I love a whole variety of styles. One day I could be wearing just a black hoody and trousers, or I could turn up in my girlfriend’s leopard print long sleeve! Mood-dependent. I’m terrible at choosing what to wear. I can never plan in advance because I know I’ll change my mind the next day depending on how I’m feeling. Where would you go if you could time travel? I actually discussed this with one of our team over lunch. She said she’d go forward in time but I’m not sure I agree. I think I’d either end up loving what I see and not wanting to return to present or seeing something I really wish I hadn’t. I think I’d have to go back to a prehistoric era… and try to evade being eaten by some primal beast! Best song of all time? Such a difficult question… probably something from ‘Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. It’s been my favourite album since it came out when I was in primary school. Either that or ‘Silence’ – Delerium. Banger. What would be the title of your biography? “Ryalled Up.” (Ryall is my surname.) The most exciting moment in your life? Probably going off travelling on my own at 19. That was pretty scary but incredibly exciting. What mantra do you live by? I recently heard the quote ‘Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured’, which really resonated. I think it’s so easy to let something so minor send your day into a downward spiral. I try my hardest to avoid being angry and spreading that negativity. It’s tiring being annoyed. Minimalism or maximalism? Minimalism. There’s not enough room for any more ‘Max’ in my life! Your guilty pleasure? Making strange noises. Not sure if it’s a guilty pleasure or just a weird habit though.