As it’s fashion season, I’m sharing an extra special Flavourful Q&A. Featured on this edition are Noelle and Vinicius, two inspirational people who know good taste - and great hospitality. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing inspirational curation, considered craftsmanship and refined collaborations from these two wonderful people. If you’re tired of the fashion treadmill or excessive consumerism, I recommend you pay them a visit.
About Noelle & Vinicius
Originally from São Paulo, Vinicius Cipriano and Noelle Rodrigues relocated to London, bringing with them a shared background in design and a deepening interest in Japanese fashion culture. Vinicius, an architect, established his own multidisciplinary practice working across product and architectural design. Noelle spent a decade in film as an editor and director before moving into design projects, having grown up immersed in her mother’s fashion house. Travels to Japan sharpened a vision that took form in 2021 with the founding of Future Present, an online shop and Clerkenwell showroom dedicated to emerging Japanese and East Asian designers. Future Present offers a carefully curated selection of garments and objects defined by process, material and construction - fashion with permanence, designed to accompany life rather than feed consumption.
Flavourful Q&A
What is flavour to you?
N: Mostly memory.
V: The second sip of a really well-made morning coffee.What is your earliest flavour memory?
N: I have a cherished memory from a young age of having lots (and I mean more than 1 or 2 bowls) of miso soup as part of regular Sunday lunches with my parents at a Japanese restaurant in downtown São Paulo. It has had a huge impact on my preferences to this day.
V: Black Forest cake.Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Savoury or Salty?
N: Savoury
V: SavouryFavourite smell?
N: Lemongrass
V: Hinoki woodWhat flavour combination is your guilty pleasure?
N: Coffee and dark chocolate — obvious but so good!
V: Mozzarella and marinara sauce.What's your favourite kitchen or bar tool and why?
N: Chopsticks — they are incredibly versatile.
V: Japanese Knives, you can use them forever.What's one ingredient you put in everything?
N: Soy sauce…or butter…or maybe soy sauce and butter! Sorry, that’s two.
V: ZaatarWhat is your cocktail pet peeve?
N: Sickly sweet
V: Too sweetWhat's your go-to music track or artist when working?
N: It changes a lot over time. At the moment, I’m loving a little playlist I made with some old Japanese songs. My favourite right now is called Blue Fish, by Sachiko Kanenobu.
V: Museum downtempo.Name one thing you learned about flavour the hard way?
N: I’m pretty open to propositions in terms of flavour, just don’t give me any papaya, please!
V: Natto can be really good!How do you know when a piece belongs in a store?
N: When a piece has a distinct point of view that feels relevant over time.
V: An instantly striking silhouette.If you had to sum up your style in three flavours or ingredients, what would they be?
N: Coffee, coffee and more coffee.
V: Ceremonial grade matcha.What design detail can you never get enough of?
N: Slits, pleats, distressed.
V: Bold proportions.
Browse their shop or make an appointment at futurepresent.london and see their latest pieces via @future__present.
Speak soon,
Zoe