Over the last few months we have been working with the search engine marketing and optimisation company Latitude on a variety of projects. One of the most unusual was a brief to commission photography for two meeting rooms and the reception area in offices on New Oxford Street, London. Latitude wanted something to make their offices more interesting, to stand out from the typical. They didn’t just want the usual bland corporate art – they wanted something bold and unique to them – something that reflected that their offices lie between Soho and Bloomsbury. They didn’t want the usual postcard style images of these grand old areas of London, they wanted something that paid homage to the true rich character of the areas.

To this end we spoke to Fiona Campbell, an award winning photographer who we felt would do well to eke out the unusual and different. She spent a good amount of time researching the idea, and decided to talk to some of the characters of the area.

Soho

Mark Powell, Bespoke tailor, Soho

Mark Powell’s wide pinstripe thirties ‘gangster’ three-piece suits, worn complete with watch chain have become almost a signature style. Clients have included the Krays, David Bowie, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger and Goldie.

Rosie Hastings, Young girl on a night out, Soho

3am on a bus in Soho on her way back from her 16th birthday celebrations with her broken red shoes. When contacted to ask her permission to use the photo she exclaimed: “Wow I’m so amazed that you even remember me let alone want to use my pictures!”

Tom Baker, Bespoke tailor, Soho

Tom Baker ‘rock tailor’ trained in Saville Row and decamped to Soho. Specialist in both classically cut formal suits and modern cutting edge funky and street styles. Clients include politicians and many famous names from the world of show-biz.

Bloomsbury

Joe Martins, Bespoke tailor, Bloomsbury

Regalia, Sicilian Avenue, Bloomsbury. Specialising in made to measure shirts and unusual suits and jackets

Maloviere, Classic English tutor, Bloomsbury

A study in latitude, past and present: One man and his Dog, Maloviere, classic English tutor (and latter day renaissance man) with imperial Russian wolfhound, Boyarin in contemporary Bloomsbury.

Mr Timothy J.W. Craig, Bespoke tailor, Bloomsbury

Connock and Lockie Ltd, based in Lambs Conduit Street, Bloomsbury. Established 1902. Any style for both ladies and gentlemen.

For the reception room

Bloomsbury Dog

Bloomsbury Statue In A Bloomsbury Square

Gustav Temple, Editor of The Chap Magazine