ONE DAY WITH | MASTERS & MUSES | CABANA MAGAZINE

British-Nigerian artist and designer, Yinka Ilori, uses his heritage and strong visual identity to tell stories through contemporary design, highlighting the experiences of immigrant families and their impact on British culture. He talks to Sophie Goodwin about his bold and busy day-to-day life, from his morning routine to his creative inspirations, pet peeves and guilty pleasures.

INTERVIEW BY SOPHIE GOODWIN | MASTERS & MUSES | 17 SEPTEMBER 2024

Artist and designer Yinka Ilori. All images @ Jim Stephenson.

I wake at 6am every day for a run. It makes me a better version of myself. I have my personal trainer on WhatsApp twice a week and also practice Bikram Yoga. I wake without an alarm, I’ve always been able to rely on my body clock. I am not a lie-in type of person. I go through my emails before my team bombard me with questions. Klara, my project manager at the studio, keeps me on a tight leash.

I look forward to getting up to see the view of my back garden. It's inspired by Greece, with olive trees and green fencing. I love Greece and go with my family twice a year to Zakynthos or Xanthi. Greek food, Ouzo, the sun. I'm mad about it all. We’ve visited the islands since I was a child.

I live and work in Acton, London, but I am often situated all over the place. Last week, for instance, I was in Stoke-on-Trent filming a mini interview for Sotheby's, then it's Geneva the next minute. I take inspiration from traveling, I find varying cultures fascinating. Nature also informs my art and creativity.

I start sketching in the morning whilst listening to music. The Nigerian band Asake have just released a brilliant album, and I find Tems really soothing; she helps me dream. I picture a beautiful landscape as I play her lyrics.

I always have breakfast. I have just started working with a nutritionist, otherwise I eat rubbish. Now I'll have scrambled eggs, avocado and blackberries. I drink water and try to stay away from coffee. Green or mint tea otherwise. I had one of those full body MOT health checks recently and am trying to stay on the straight and narrow. My brain feels sharper and, physically, I am stronger and healthier.

If I don’t eat at home I’ll order the same thing at High Road House. They must be sick of me as I am always there: it's so close to where I live. I’m ashamed to say I drive everywhere in my car. I sing and talk to myself, and process stuff. I love the time to myself, it's very meditative. Otherwise I’m in the office at 9am.

Nothing is ever the same. My work is very varied, from a collaboration with North Face, reimagining their puffer jackets and fleeces, to designing a limited edition trophy and takeover of Sotheby’s café on New Bond Street, with floor to ceiling motifs and symbols, furniture and upholstery. I have new briefs to look at every week. However, I focus easily. I need to work on more than one project at a time to keep my energy moving forward. My ideas are better this way, or I get bored.

There is never a quiet moment. We have clients all over the world in different time zones. As a result my office is often busier in the afternoon. We shut at 5pm and I try to see friends after work or go to a body pump class. Focusing on myself is so important as it takes me out of art, design and architecture.

I’m always still wired when I finish work. And on holiday I am always thinking about my projects. If I do have a day off, ideally I would have afternoon tea at Claridge's or the Bulgari Hotel. I love scones, and the sense of civility of the ritual.

I love socialising. I like staying in and going out. I need to see my friends; we talk about work and what they are going through. It's a nice support network in the curatorial space. Some are lawyers and bankers, occupying a totally different reality, so we have all sorts of different points of view, which informs my creativity.

I can’t bear people chewing gum, it's so distracting. It drives me crazy on a plane, in a train. Unless it's a member of your family you can't tell them to stop, so it kills me.

If I weren’t an artist I would be a cabbie. You have the option to do your own thing, driving around London, meeting people. But I’d probably fail the knowledge.