Charleston House with Chinti & Parker

Duncan Grant's studio. Photography: Tony Tree

In July, Frances Costelloe joined Chinti & Parker for a very special gathering at Charleston House, the country home of the Bloomsbury Group. Steeped in the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement, Charleston’s richly painted interiors and layered history provided the perfect setting for a day dedicated to creativity, conversation and collaboration.

The occasion began with a guided tour of the house, followed by a lunch prepared by Jasmine Hemsley. Drawing from her latest cookbook, Jasmine presented a seasonal menu that celebrated nourishment and simplicity. The meal was served on hand painted plates created by Frances, each design inspired by Charleston’s decorative details and painterly surfaces.

In the afternoon, Frances led the group in an outdoor life drawing class on the grounds of Charleston. Guests, dressed in Chinti & Parker’s silk summer dresses, gathered at upright easels with charcoal and paper to sketch from a live female model. The session unfolded in the warm July light, echoing the spirit of shared artistry that defined Charleston in its Bloomsbury heyday.

The day marked a meeting point of art, fashion and food, a contemporary homage to the creative conversations that once flourished within Charleston’s walls.

Life Drawing at Charleston House