Podcast Summary: "A Family Affair: Sophie Ashby and Charlie Casely-Hayford"
The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein
Episode: A Family Affair: Sophie Ashby and Charlie Casely-Hayford
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "A Family Affair," host Dan Rubinstein delves into the intertwined creative journeys of London's Sophie Ashby, a celebrated interior designer, and Charlie Casely-Hayford, a distinguished menswear tailor. This episode explores their unique backgrounds, collaborative dynamics, individual career paths, and their shared commitment to fostering diversity within the design industry.
Meet the Guests
Sophie Ashby
Sophie was raised between the UK and South Africa, receiving her education in London and New York before establishing her own design studio, Studio Ashby. Known for her colorful, warm, and inventive interiors, Sophie has swiftly gained recognition in the interior design world. Her first monograph was released by Rizzoli, featuring a foreword by Amy Astley of Architectural Digest, and she has recently launched her own brand, Sister, which offers furniture, lighting, and accessories.
Charlie Casely-Hayford
Charlie, hailing from a lineage of UK trailblazers, launched his menswear brand alongside his late father, Joe Casely-Hayford OBE. His brand epitomizes elegant, restrained menswear with a timeless appeal, dressing personalities such as John Legend, David Beckham, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Edward Ennoffel. Charlie's work embodies a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern sophistication, aligning seamlessly with the theme of black dandyism showcased at the Met Gala.
Early Life and Influences
Sophie Ashby
Growing up in East London’s Hackney area, Sophie enjoyed a culturally rich and privileged upbringing. Her parents fostered her and her sister's creativity by immersing them in diverse artistic experiences, from art galleries to live music and ballet. Sophie reflects:
“It’s very much shaped my way of thinking today. So my parents are just very influential on almost every aspect of my life.”
— Sophie Ashby [07:57]
Charlie Casely-Hayford
Charlie's upbringing was marked by frequent relocations within the UK and South Africa, driven by his mother's passion for nature and rural living. This instilled in him a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the comforting power of well-designed spaces:
“I was the arty kid... gentle and calm and... very creative and loved being outside.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [04:09]
Educational and Career Pathways
Sophie’s Journey into Design
Sophie initially pursued art history at the Courtauld Institute in London, specializing in classicism and neoclassicism. Her fascination with the intersection of art, culture, and identity led her to transition into interior design. She elaborates:
“Interiors just seemed like this perfect blend of the things I was interested in. Property, art... understanding better this idea of home.”
— Sophie Ashby [10:23]
Charlie’s Design Endeavors
Charlie also studied art history, which laid the foundation for his passion for interior spaces. After assisting traditional interior designer Victoria Fairfax and working at Spring and Mercer, Charlie founded Studio Ashby at 25. He credits his early career experiences with shaping his design philosophy:
“I have design heroes like Jacques Grange... I just collected images from magazines of other people's works.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [17:53]
Meeting and Partnership
Sophie and Charlie met on a blind date, a serendipitous encounter orchestrated by a mutual friend. Their relationship blossomed quickly, blending their professional and personal lives seamlessly:
“We hit it off, straight away... [Charlie] thought he was the one.”
— Sophie Ashby [18:00]
Their complementary strengths foster a supportive environment where they uplift each other amidst the challenges of their respective industries.
Creative Philosophy and Aesthetics
Studio Ashby’s Interior Design
Studio Ashby is renowned for its use of vibrant colors, layering, and eclectic elements, creating soulful and inviting spaces. Charlie describes their approach:
“People are coming to us because they enjoy color and they want something that feels real and soulful and layered and eclectic.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [21:32]
He emphasizes a collaborative and client-focused process, ensuring that each design is tailored to individual personalities and lifestyles.
Caseley Hayford Menswear
Charlie’s menswear label focuses on bespoke tailoring, offering both classic and contemporary designs. The brand prioritizes quality, individuality, and the empowerment that comes from well-fitted garments:
“We create garments for the individual that make them feel good about themselves, make them feel empowered.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [25:00]
His collections range from relaxed suits integrated into everyday wear to exquisite, sharp designs for special occasions.
Challenges and Industry Insights
Barriers to Entry and Diversity Initiatives
Both Sophie and Charlie acknowledge the significant barriers to entry within the design industries, predominantly favoring individuals from privileged backgrounds. To address this, they have co-founded United in Design, a charity aimed at removing these barriers by providing internships and mentoring to aspiring designers from diverse backgrounds.
Charlie explains the initiative’s impact:
“United in Design is the only charity in the UK that serves the interior design industry... removing barriers to entry.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [34:04]
Sophie adds her support, highlighting the importance of creating equitable opportunities:
“What Sophie is doing is levying out the playing field so the people who do deserve to be at the table can be.”
— Sophie Ashby [43:15]
Sustainability and Long-Term Design
Both designers express a desire to move away from the transient nature of fashion, focusing instead on creating lasting, meaningful pieces. Charlie critiques the fast-paced fashion cycle:
“It's about creating the perfect wardrobe for each individual client... something that's lasting and enduring and not trend led.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [49:13]
Sophie complements this by emphasizing the permanence and client engagement in her work:
“Interaction and engagement that your clients have with what you do is quite often missing from fashion.”
— Sophie Ashby [51:29]
Future Endeavors
Studio Ashby
Looking ahead, Studio Ashby anticipates unveiling several hotel projects in autumn, completing long-term private client work, and expanding their international presence with new collaborations.
Caseley Hayford Menswear
Charlie plans to open additional retail stores, with New York City being a primary target for expansion. The brand aims to continue blending bespoke tailoring with contemporary fashion trends.
Sister by Studio Ashby
Sister, the retail arm of Studio Ashby, offers a curated selection of furniture, rugs, fabrics, lighting, and artworks. Charlie highlights their most successful piece:
“Our Rhino chair, inspired by the wide, smooth, curved body of a rhino... It’s doing really well.”
— Charlie Casely-Hayford [32:59]
Personal Reflections and Relationship Dynamics
Sophie and Charlie share a deeply supportive relationship, often consulting each other on creative and business matters. They emphasize the importance of mutual support in navigating the challenges of their entrepreneurial lives:
“We can have those exchanges and we kind of pull one another up because it is challenging at times.”
— Sophie Ashby [48:26]
Their partnership exemplifies a harmonious blend of personal and professional collaboration, fostering both individual growth and joint success.
Conclusion
In "A Family Affair," Sophie Ashby and Charlie Casely-Hayford showcase the power of collaborative creativity and the importance of fostering diversity within the design industries. Their commitment to meaningful, lasting design, combined with their philanthropic efforts through United in Design, underscores their dedication to not only elevating their craft but also making the creative world more inclusive and accessible.
Notable Quotes:
- Sophie Ashby [07:57]: “It's very much shaped my way of thinking today. So my parents are just very influential on almost every aspect of my life.”
- Charlie Casely-Hayford [21:32]: “People are coming to us because they enjoy color and they want something that feels real and soulful and layered and eclectic.”
- Charlie Casely-Hayford [34:04]: “United in Design is the only charity in the UK that serves the interior design industry... removing barriers to entry.”
Additional Information
- Join the Conversation: Follow The Grand Tourist on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit the website to subscribe and leave a rating.
- Connect with Dan Rubenstein: Follow @danrubenstein on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter at curator@thegrandtourist.net.
- Support the Show: Purchase the first print issue of The Grand Tourist available on the website.