To coincide with National Allotment Week, AnOther explores leading menswear stylist Simon Foxton treasured plot of land which he has owned with his partner for the past four years...
Who? Simon Foxton is one of Britain's leading stylists. His work, often collaborations with photographers Nick Knight, Alasdair McLellen and Jason Evans, was celebrated in an exhibition at London's Photographer's Gallery in late 2009 and is also represented in collections at the V&A and Tate Modern. Foxton is well known for his legendary shed, decorated with inspirational ephemera. The shed has been well documented – for features and as a location for shoots and radio broadcasts – but it's lesser known that Foxton also has his own allotment in his local area.
What? To coincide with National Allotments Week (8-14 August), AnOther spoke to Foxton about his treasured patch of land (about 10m. x 20m.) which he acquired with his partner Donald, four years ago after being on a waiting list for just over a year. In between styling shoots, casting, meetings, consulting and travelling, Foxton spends a fair amount of time at the plot, "Once the initial digging over and planting is complete, I visit three or four times per week for an hour or so each time to check things and do watering and weeding. I prefer a weekday and in the evening when it is deserted." Foxton and his partner grow a variety of produce: sweetcorn, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, beetroot, rhubarb, kale, cabbage, spinach, cucumbers, courgettes, onions, cherries, blueberries and lots of herbs. "We have failed with carrots, celeriac and broccoli." As well as a good crop, half the pleasure of having an allotment is the community aspect. Foxton says, "We have started sharing our patch with our friends Penny Martin [editor in chief of The Gentlewoman and her husband] Barry Kelly – it's made it even more social and enjoyable. We have lovely neighbours who are all very handy with hints and lending tools. We share our crops because we tend to get lots of crops at one time; and there's only so much you can do with a courgette!"
Why? National Allotments Week is intended to highlight the allotment movement and raise awareness of growing your own food. It's also an opportunity for those without allotments to put pressure on local authorities to supply further plots.
Text by Laura Bradley
