Draft:Hannah Drakeford

Hannah Drakeford (born June 15, 1983) is a British designer. She founded her own design brand, Hannah Drakeford Design, in April 2020, serving mainly first-time homeowners interested in bold, colourful, and geometric shapes-filled interiors. She was one of the contestants on Interior Design Masters on BBC 1 with Alan Carr, appearing in three consecutive and final episodes.

Drakeford first acquired a big following on social media, where she documented the process of designing her own London apartment. Her vivid and shape-filled brand incorporates her own designs as well as pieces she upcycled from second-hand Ikea and other modestly priced brands. She sold her homeware and collaborated with Splendette on a jewellery collection.

Early life and education

Hannah Drakeford grew up in the suburb of Braunstone, Leicester. Hannah attended Bosworth College in Leicestershire. She then went on to De Montfort University, earning a Foundation Degree in Art and Design with a specialism in Fashion Design. Her passion for interior design began in her early adult life, though she initially expressed herself through fashion as a teenager. After moving into her first rented flat in Nottingham, she started experimenting with interior design by decorating her space with props and reclaimed furniture from her retail work.

Design career

Career in Retail

Hannah's career in retail spans over two decades, beginning in 1999 as a sales assistant at Miss Selfridge. She quickly progressed to the role of in-store visual merchandiser. From 2005 to 2008, she worked at Topshop, followed by a return to Miss Selfridge until 2011. In 2011, Drakeford became the UK and EU Display Manager for Forever 21.

From 2017 to 2020, Hannah served as the Creative Manager for Oasis Fashions. Her Christmas window scheme "To the Moon and Back" won "Best Christmas Windows in a Multiple" at the VM and Display Awards in 2019, and she was shortlisted for "Most Innovative Person in VM" the same year.

Transition to Interior Design Hannah Drakeford's transition to interior design started during her time at Forever 21, where she was encouraged to draw inspiration from various sources, including art, interior design, and architecture. After moving to London in 2017 and buying her flat, she began developing her signature style.

In 2020, Hannah launched her brand with support from Lewisham Council and Goldsmiths University. She created a handmade cement homewares line in 2021, initially selling on Etsy and through boutique stores. She later signed a deal with Made.com, but after they went into administration, she focused entirely on interior design.

Style and impact

Hannah's work is characterized by a blend of Memphis Design style, postmodernism, and Bauhaus influences. Her core inspirations include mid-century abstract art, particularly the works of Auguste Herbin; architecture styles emblematic of the Soviet Union, especially brutalist architecture; and 20th-century history. She believes not fitting into a single stylistic box enhances her creativity and effectiveness as a designer.