31 May 2022
Episode 16
53 minutes
This episode looks at the meaning behind the things we own and the craft that goes into them. We meet knife-maker Holly Loftus in her small London studio, speak to Ajiri Aki, an entrepreneur who deals in antique linens and beautiful crockery, and journalist Fleur MacDonald muses on the iconic white Airtex and green turf that signal the arrival of June’s tennis season.
31 May 2022
Share episode
DownloadChapter 1
24 minutes
15
15
/
With a background in fashion and a degree in the decorative arts, entrepreneur Ajiri Aki settled in Paris in 2011 and six years later founded her homeware and antiques brand Madame de la Maison. She gives us tips and tricks for sun-soaked hosting and explains the importance of joie de vivre.
24 minutes
Share chapter 1

Chapter 2
13 minutes
Photo: Loftus Knives
15
15
/
Description: We head to the south London studio of Holly Loftus, maker of Loftus Knives. She tells us why handmade kitchen utensils are items to be held in high esteem and how they become prized possessions that stand the test of time.
13 minutes
Share chapter 2

Want more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
Konfekt Korner - latest episodes
The French Riviera, surfing and beach bags
This episode is about leaving the urban world behind. We dive into the tumultuous ocean mastered by surfers in the film ‘Girls Can’t Surf’, reflect on the essence of holiday style in photography book ‘Light on the Riviera’…
The power of cooking, pottery and ice
This episode is a burst of summer optimism and inspiration. We ponder the joy of Studio Pottery, discuss the power of cooking with Shiza Shahid of ‘Our Place’ and take the temperature of the art world with an incisive…
Sun-soaked hosting, handmade knives and tennis
This episode looks at the meaning behind the things we own and the craft that goes into them. We meet knife-maker Holly Loftus in her small London studio, speak to Ajiri Aki, an entrepreneur who deals in antique linens and…
Slovenian gastronomy, innovative fabrics and a trip to the Biennale
This episode might whet your appetite: we head to the Soça Valley to meet Ana Ros, head chef of Slovenia’s first Michelin-star restaurant Hisa Franko, take a tasty turn around Barcelona’s Santa Caterina market to sample…
Auction houses, Hungarian spas and being a flâneuse
As we step out into the April sunshine, we plunge into the thermal waters of a Hungarian spa, explore the history of the tulip and meet Venezuelan artist Sol Calero. Plus: we muse about collecting with Diandra Donecker, the…
Kitchen tools, beauty in adversity and the joy of book clubs
As spring approaches we look at how our kitchen tools tell the history of humanity; hear from Ukrainian fashion designer Lilia Litkovskaya, who has since been forced to flee her home; visit an exhibition on Kurdish history…
Swiss sledges, Parisian chocolate and playing Cupid
We meet three masters of their craft: the Lindauer family, who have been making sledges in the Swiss mountains for three generations; Debauve et Gallais, the oldest chocolatier in Paris; and Cicely Travers, founder of…
Ski style, Alpine architecture and snowy mornings
This month’s episode of ‘Konfekt Korner’ is a celebration of the mountains. We learn about the modernist alpine architecture of Charlotte Perriand; meet Sophie Lacoste of French skiwear brand Fusalp; head to the town of…
Cosy knits, festive baking and reinventing the Christmas tree
We meet Swiss design duo Rue Hippolyte to find out about their festive décor installation; we learn about the history of the wreath; and pop over to Slovenia to sample some lect, a traditional gingerbread. Plus: we head to…
Winter warmers, an Icelandic spa and art in Transylvania
Sophie Grove speaks to Swiss jewellery designer Cora Sheibani about finding inspiration in the quotidian, while Kimberly Bradley visits the Art Encounters Biennial in Timișoara. Plus, a soak in an Icelandic spa and tips for…
Vegetable scents, volcanic vineyards and a harvest festival
As the leaves start to turn gold and red, we take stock of the new season. We head to a harvest festival in the Åland islands, learn about sustainable farming for a London florist and an Italian skincare brand, and sample…
Leïla Slimani, art parties and jazz clubs
Sophie Grove chats to French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani about her new novel ‘The Country of Others’, Chiara Rimella heads to Glasgow to meet April Crichton of the French-Scottish fashion label, La Fetiche; and Kate…
The radical history of swimwear, a glass of rosé and a train trip
Sophie Grove, Marcela Palek and Gillian Dobias discuss the history of women's swimwear with V&A senior curator Sonnet Stanfill, before bringing it up to date with Peter Hornung from Swiss fashion brand Round Rivers. Else…
Greek antiques, making scents of summer and creating a splash
The latest episode of ‘Konfekt Korner’ is an ode to both summer and the senses, and their ability to spark memories that in turn work as inspiration. Sophie Grove, Marcela Palek and Gillian Dobias meet Slovakian fashion…
Seasonal shopping, summer pop and sentimental belongings.
We celebrate the craft of objects as Sophie Grove speaks to the glassware expert Marie-Rose Kahane and stoneware designer Susanne Poltrago-Persson; and the writer Fleur Macdonald muses on the emotional weight of an inher…