freelance journalist and copywriter

Journalism — Highlights

 

Mr Porter – How to keep a journal

An article discussing the importance of journal writing, with insight from Columbia University professor Alan Ziegler.

Esquire – Guide to savile row

Esquire UK’s definitive guide to Savile Row in 2020. Shopping for a suit, or merely browsing?

THE RAKE – LEVISON WOOD SPEAKS

An earlier interview with one of my heroes: Levison Wood.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    Luxury London – Exhibition Review: Hogarth at The tate

    A review on Hogarth’s exhibition at the Tate. Here.

  • Italy segreta – Searching for a moment in rome

    An essay about looking for something new in Rome. Here.

  • INSIDEHOOK – THE SIMPSON'S SECOND LIFE ONLINE

    Looking at the emergence of no context Simpsons accounts on Instagram. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    Robb Report – Best Men's Wallets

    A list of the best wallets to buy in 2021, focusing on key trends. Here.

  • InsideHook – How Tokyo Drift became a cult film

    A retrospective of the best Fast and Furious film, and its blossoming legacy. Here.

  • The rake – emmett scanlan interview

    Interview with Peaky Blinders and KIN actor Emmett Scanlan. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    GENTLEMeN'S jOURNAL – Most successful men without degrees

    A list of the most successful men who never graduated university. Here.

  • GENTLEMEN'S JOURNAL – Who's who in the rapid delivery market

    Scrutinising the major players in a new market. Here.

  • ITALY SEGRETA – FINDING LA DOLCE VITA IN ROME

    Why I look for Fellini’s film on every trip to Rome. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    ITALY SEGRETA – TAKE A TRIPPA IN FLORENCE

    An essay about the humble lampredotto sandwich in Florence. Here.

  • GENTLEMEN'S JOURNAL – REMEMBERING THE LEBANESE GOLDEN AGE

    A look back at Lebanon’s Golden Age and the addresses in which the spirit persists. Here.

  • Mr Porter – A Guide to Being Your own Boss

    Expert advice on how to become your own boss in our new normal. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    THE RAKE – NIKESH PATEL INTERVIEW

    Another Rake-in-Progress interview, this time with Nikesh Patel. Here.

  • Luxury London – A Guide to Jermyn Street

    A guide to London’s gentleman quarter, Jermyn Street. Here.

  • Spectator – The Rebellion of Wearing a Suit

    A piece about the quiet revolt of formal clothing in a world where casual in king. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    Robb Report – Why You Should gET A BRETON

    Exploring the breton trend, with some key tips. Here.

  • Luxury London – Review: Turner at the tate

    A review of Turner’s exhibition at the Tate Britain. Here.

  • InsideHook – Inside Jeremy Clarkson's Farming Show

    An essay about Clarkson’s Farm and the host’s agrarian redemption arc. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    InsideHook – Richard Hell Interview

    Interview with 70s Punk legend Richard Hell. Here.

  • Gentleman's Journal – The genius of anthony bourdain

    A personal essay about Anthony Bourdain, and his continued legacy. Here.

  • Luxury London – Covid's Effect on Soho

    An investigation into the effects of the pandemic on London’s Soho district. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    Luxury London – Exhibition review: rodin at the tate

    A review of the Rodin exhibition at the Tate Britain.

  • Mr Porter – The rise of toxic positivity

    An essay about toxic positivity, and why it’s OK not to be OK.

  • the rake – harrison Osterfield interview

    An interview with rising star Harrison Osterfield. Here.

  • Chris Cotonou writer

    EVENING STANDARD – Getting Back with your ex?

    A piece about the trend of ex partners finding each other again during the pandemic.

  • Robb Report – The Best Harrington Jackets

    A list of the best Harrington jackets to buy, as well as its history and favour with celebrities.

  • Spectator – what we can learn from the noughties teen movie

    Would noughties teen movies work today? Let’s take a look.

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INSIDEHOOK — the future of pubs

As lockdown came to an end, this essay questioned the survival of the British pub, speaking with the owners of the first gastro pub, and reflecting on a lifetime in these cosy rooms.

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The Spectator -— harry styles and political dressing

A piece about Harry Styles, and why his fashion choices are overhyped, yawn-inducing, and only interesting because of the era we live.

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GQ – London’s Pie and Mash Shops

A guide to London’s best pie and mash shops.

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Robb report – high waisted trousers

Speaking with Casatlantic’s Nathaniel Assaraf and Mr Porter’s Olie Arnold on the virtues of higher waisted trousers.

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1883 – anna Majidson

A discussion with singer Anna Majidson on her Mixtape TELECOM, an accidental collaboration over Zoom – the sound of isolation.

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Robb report – EXPERTS ON FRAN LEBOWITZ 

Menswear and fashion experts weigh in on what makes Fran Lebowitz’s style so great.

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EVENING STANDARD – MAFS: SHOULD WE TELL MEN TO ‘MAN UP’? (Print + web)

Also published in print, this piece explores MAFSA and the consequences of emasculation.

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insidehook – Nottingham’s robing hood society on the GameStop scandal

What does the leader of the Robin Hood Society have to say about the Gamestop scandal?

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InsideHook – Who’s afraid of Nikita mazepin?

An article about F1’s new bad boy, Nikita Mazepin. And what he means for the theatre side of the sport.

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CLASH – Pearl Charles

An interview with Pearl Charles on the release of her new album. The L.A. music scene today, her hopes, dreams, and America.

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Essential Journal – Death of a Cockney Dinner

For the December issue of Essential Journal, I wrote a brief essay on the importance of London’s pie and mash shops.

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InsideHOOK – Seiko’s anime watches

The unusual story of how Seiko release watches for the anime and gaming market, and how they’re about to break the US.

2020

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tHE raKE — ISSUE 73: Lardini

A discussion with Luigi Lardini on the Japanese influence of their SS21 collection. In issue 73.

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robb report — most stylish Christmas movies to stream

Sometimes you can’t help but notice style in cinema. And that’s no different with these Christmas films.

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Insidehook — why britain loves toast so much

An essay on Britain’s deep affection for toast for curious American readers.

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rOBB REPORT — Sir paUL sMITH

An interview with the iconic Sir Paul Smith, discussing his fifty year anniversary and his new foundation.

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tHE rAKE — iSSUE 72: cANALI

Stefano Canali, CEO of luxury house Canali shares his wisdom in issue 72 of The Rake.

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Eater — LONDON GREEK FOOD GUIDE

As a London-born Greek Cypriot, Eater gave me the chance to share the genuine local spots in the city.

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CLASH – NATHY PELUSO INTERVIEW

Nathy Peluso’s debut album has earned 2 Latin Grammys. But it’s the singer’s personality that has scored legions of fans. Here, we speak before her crowning as a Latin pop Queen.

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Insidehook – chaz bono talks custom watches

We’ve all been encouraged to find hobbies. Chaz Bono, actor, writer, activist and son of Sonny Bono and Cher, has picked up custom watchmaking. Here, we discuss his hobbyist nature, and how it might turn into a fully-fledged business.

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Evening Standard – The SERVICE ON SAVILE ROW

Savile Row’s had it hard the past few decades. Could this new coffee shop have the ingredient it needs to stay alive?

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insidehook – the food after-lives of the sopranos stars

Vinny Pastore has a sauce. But he’s not the only one. Speaking with The Sopranos star, we look at the film after-lives of the cast, some where art and life mix.

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INSIDEHOOK – LA DOLCE VITA’S INFLUENCE SIXTY YEARS ON

How did Fellini’s masterpiece inspire scandal up to the present day? We look at the film’s history, with help from real-life LA paparazzi Rick Sellebrity.

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Mr Porter – In praise of the humble barbershop

A personal essay, with some insight from Tom Chapman at Lion’s Barbers Collective about the reopening of barbershops.

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Robb report – why you should buy a pair of white shoes

The history of white bucks and dance shoes; why they’re in for 2020 and some insight from bestselling writer David Coggins. What more do you need?

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Parikiaki – Melissanthi Mahut interview

Interview with Greek actress Melissanthi Mahut, who turned heads on Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga. We discuss Greek representation and her next role.

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Robb Report – why shop spanish style?

English and Italian style gets all the love. But what about Spanish style? Here we discuss the brands to love, and the pieces to shop.

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EVENING STANDARD – FLORENCE IN FOUR SANDWICHES

Florence is more of a working-class al fresco town. In this article, I look at the city’s sandwich history and where to shop the best.

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No Man Walks alone – An Englishman in…

Inspired by that Sting song, I write an essay about our cultural tendencies to act up (and even dress up) our home country when abroad.

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CLASH – IN CONVERSATION: DESTA FRENCH

London lacks a mainstream Latin flavour. That is, until singer Desta French appeared. We discuss her EP, and the state of Latin music in London.

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insidehook – white claw comes to uk

An investigation into hard seltzers in the UK market. This article observes cultural differences, and finds out whether

InsideHOOK – lONDON’S SOHO DURING CORONA

London’s Soho district has always been noisy. But the sound is dying down. How is COVID affecting the already struggling institutions that make the area so great — and how are they fighting back?

PORT – INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW BAKER

Matthew Baker is a popular upcoming writer with work optioned by Amazon and Netflix. What makes his stories so urgent for adaptation?

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NO MAN WALKS ALONE – bILL WITHERS

After his untimely passing, I wrote about the style of Bill Withers, both of what he wore and said.

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robb report – introducing stan

A quick overview of LA artist Tristan Detwiler’s STAN project, where he gathers rare fabrics and turns them into sustainable, colourful, and creative jackets.

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robb report – the most stylish films on netflix

The most stylish films readers can stream right away.

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No man walks alone – desert boot heroes

A description of my love for the desert boot, diving into its history from the bazaars of Cairo to the boardrooms of Canary Wharf.

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Heimat logbook – 5 great adventure reads

For my friends at German brand Heimat, the first post in their logbook / blog area.

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robb report – the best biker-inspired wear this spring

Speaking with brands like Bennett Winch, Malle, and more, what pieces of biker-inspired clothing should readers have their eyes on?

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parikiaki – the wonder of cyprus rugby

Speaking with Cyprus rugby player Billy Cosma about the unexpected successes of the island’s rugby team.

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The rake – UPHOLDING STYLE: adriano meneghetti

A focus on Italian belt-maker Adriano Meneghetti for The Rake. You can read my myriad pieces for The Rake by clicking my name.

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robb report – history of the guayabera

How the camp-collar shirt made its way from the Cuban plantations to America and beyond.

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The Rake – luxury books: maison assouline

Inbound marketing meets journalism, as we cross-sell Maison Assouline’s magical books by asserting their value as rare investment pieces.

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country & townhouse – daks 125th anniversary check

A discussion with my friend Mathias Le Fevre on his work with English heritage house Daks, and how they’re looking to the past for their upcoming designs.

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the rake – issue 67: Lardini; zegna

Two articles in The Rake magazine’s issue 67, writing about Lardini and Zegna.