Lazy Oaf, Can Yang and Keerthana Kunnath: Tickets are now available for May’s Nicer Tuesdays!

From building independent businesses, leading the way in experimental design and creating stunning photo series, May's Nicer Tuesday’s will be an exceptionally varied event taking you on an insightful walk through the modern creative landscape.

Spring has finally sprung! And what better way to beckon in the sun (fingers crossed) and lighter evenings than a night of inspirational creative talks? Well, we’ve got you covered. After two sell-out events in February and March plus a little break in April, we’re welcoming you back with open arms in May, when you’ll have a chance to catch up with some like-minded creatives, grab a drink and get your fill of creative inspiration.

We’ll also be hosting an activation from our event partner MPB. So, if your LinkedIn profile picture is looking a little blurry or old, then look no further – you can get a free headshot from professional portrait photographer Ivan Weiss. Make sure to sign up here before the event to ensure you get a spot!

This month the EartH Hackney stage will be graced by photographer Keerthana Kunnath, who will be running us through the ongoing series Naadu – a beautiful visual exploration of women’s experiences in her hometown in Beypore, Kerala. Then, It’s Nice That favourite Can Yang will take to the stage, talking us through how to craft a unique aesthetic for yourself within an oversaturated design industry. Finishing up the night we have a Q&A with Lazy Oaf founder Gemma Shiel who’ll be sharing what it takes to build up an independent brand that everyone knows and loves, while creating an instantly recognisable style and feel.

The event will take place on 2 May with doors opening at 6pm. As this is an 18+ event, please bring ID with you to the venue. If you are in need of disability access, please make yourself known to a member of the EartH team on the evening or email [email protected] so we can arrange assistance. Carry on reading to find out more about our incredible panel of speakers.

For the past 20 years, Lazy Oaf has been a brand and lifestyle shop loved by many creatives. But what you may not know is that the brand saw somewhat humble beginnings, having formed from its founder Gemma Shiel’s dad’s garage. Now, it has grown to become a world-wide fashion staple, known for its trademark bold, poppy designs full of pattern and warmth, with a roster of collaborations under its belt with the likes of Lush, Crocs and many more. This Nicer Tuesday’s, Gemma will be sharing Lazy Oaf’s colourful history with our editor-in-chief Matt Alagiah, discussing how she set up the brand, how the team built such a recognisable style and some of their most iconic collections to date. So whether you’re Lazy Oaf’s biggest fan, or you're interested in finding out how to build a successful independent business (who knows –maybe you're both!) then this is the talk for you.

We first met Can Yang back in 2018, when she featured as one of our Graduates. Then, we expressed how we thought Can wasn’t destined for a career quite like anyone else – and right we were. Not only does she now teach at Royal College of Art, Kingston School of Art and UAL, she’s spent the past five years building a truly unique style. With a focus on typography and texture, Can has carved a highly respected space for herself in the world of experimental design – so much so that if you think you’ve never come across her work, you most definitely have. If it’s not through her collaborations with the likes of Nike, the popularity of her pieces – whether it's on her main account or her digital archive – often see her propelled onto our Instagram explore pages. At Nicer Tuesday’s she’ll be sharing just how she’s created such a distinctive look, and how you might be able to do the same.

Keerthana Kunnath is a photographer who moved to London from India two years ago. Keerthana’s series Naadu, which translates to ‘Homeland’ explores the restrictive expectations she observes as being placed upon women in her hometown of Beypore in Kerala. As a way of “understanding and unlearning” such narratives and navigating the negative impact they’ve had on her perception of sexuality and her experience with mental health, Keerthana now regularly travels back to Beypore making connections with the local women, taking their portraits and trying to initiate conversation. At May’s event, Keerthana will be walking us through the beautiful and pertinent project, divulging her influences, approach and hopes for the future of the ongoing series.

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Event Partner

Mailchimp & Co

Mailchimp & Co is a global community of agencies and freelancers using Mailchimp with their clients. Learn new skills, grow your network, and get tools to manage your clients–all while enjoying insider perks–when you join. Plus, it’s free.

Event Partner

MPB

MPB is the world’s largest online platform for visual storytellers to buy, sell and trade in used photo and video kit. MPB makes kit more accessible and affordable, helping to visualise a more sustainable future.

Snack Sponsor

Love Corn

We’re excited to partner with Love Corn the UK’s first crunchy corn brand as our snack sponsor. Its delicious crunchy corn kernels are packed with flavour and made with love. On trend with being low sugar, gluten-free and vegan, it’s the feel good snack so please enjoy!

Drinks Sponsor

El Rayo Tequila

El Rayo Tequila is transforming the way you think and drink tequila – one T&T at a time. By partnering with artists and designers, it’s building a lifestyle brand around its tequilas. Tequila & Tonic is a thing now.

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Further Info

Nicer Tuesdays is our monthly event of creative talks. You can find out more here.

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