5 Things I Love…London

Co-founder and former director of fashion brandSilas and Maria, Russell Waterman is London born, brought up in the East London suburbs. He is now a director and co-founder of Amos Toys and is currently working with illustrator James Jarvis on numerous projects, as well as one or two projects of his own.

He still lives in the East, right on the edge of London, near the forest.

Home games at the Lane
Watching Tottenham Hotspur play at their home stadium, White Hart Lane, N17, is a great way to relieve the tension of a working week. But soccer is a cruel mistress so sometimes it just adds to it!

The Forest
Walking in Epping Forest is the perfect antidote to when urban living gets a bit much. This forest is the biggest green open space in London. You can walk for miles without seeing a building.

Drinking on the street during the Summer
There is a thriving UK pub culture. I like to meet with friends in the summer and drink outside a pub until closing. The Fox in EC2 is a regular after-work summertime favourite.

Record shopping at Rough Trade
For that elusive LP or CD, RT is the best record store in London. As a kid, I would travel right across London to shop at their W11 Store. Now I will be a regular visitor at their new superstore in East London.

Visiting the British Film Institute
If you love films then the BFI is a London Mecca. There are three cinemas with impeccable programming, an excellent DVD/book store, and a bar/café with a great view of the South Bank of the Thames.