It is one week into the Iranian New Year, Norouz, and my emotions are all over the place. My country and its people are living through a total blackout, shaped by war, caught between internal repression and external forces. It is a painful contrast.
This is a set I designed for a one-off Norouz special for Afghanistan International TV. The theme was centred around dreams, creating a dreamlike world where the audience could escape, even if only for a two-hour live show, from the harsh reality of life under the Taliban, holding a country and its people hostage, much like the Islamic Republic has done for 47 years.
I hope that next year, Iranians and Afghans can celebrate Norouz in their own countries, without repression, and with nothing but freedom.
Happy Norouz
Production Design: @monmondesign
Floristry: @gaiaerosflorals
Construction Manager: @madebythefish
Construction: @rdwscenery
Construction: @constructive_creative
Producer: @shirin.psych
Production: Afghan TV Norouz @afintl.tv
#norouz #setlife #iranian #afghan #setdesign
A few months back, I had the pleasure of running the design for the UK leg of the new global @puma campaign. Huge thanks to local service @revolutionproductions.co and @falcagram on global production for bringing us on board.
The German team came to town with fancy boots, fresh kits, and Arsenal superstar Kai Havertz. Top-to-bottom, they were an absolute pleasure to work with. It was a fun shoot all around, except maybe for that Zen garden. Resetting that gravel between every take was... a spiritual experience!
The Brief:
We ran 3 distinct sets: An Industrial Kitchen, a Dance Studio, and the Zen Garden. Plus a mountain of socials content ( including a Labubu cameo, that type of socials). We smashed metronomes, cooked peppers, and raked more limestone gravel than I have in recent memory.
The Team:
Global Design: @julianknaack
Set Build: @constructive_creative (Cheers Tom and Liz for the high standards)
Buying: @zoe.seiffert & PC @amyspringall_
Props: The dream team @redlaurieyellow , Nick Turnbull, and Ben Joffe on props and horses.
Greens/Gravel: @palmbrokers
Assistants: @zakjespersenfilms and @ellafleur_3
This was an international effort with shoots around the world. Perfectly orchestrated and executed. Thanks for all the amazing hard work to the UK team, and thanks for the opportunity!
Flow restored!!
🥂Wrapping up 2025 with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you to everyone who brought incredible opportunities my way this year; there were no mistakes, only lessons and growth. To my friends, thank you for being there every step of the journey. Celebrating my sister’s beautiful wedding to Iestyn was a highlight, and to my agent who was a guiding light in the dark and bright moments, I’m deeply grateful. And finally, to my family, thank you for giving me the comfort to chase my own path and adventures. Here’s to an even brighter 2026!
🫶Appreciation post. Massive thanks to @constructive_creative for building the @whiterosethemusical set. Special thanks to Liz and Sarah for their scenic work. I enjoyed making, sculpting and painting the rubble. @christophe.eynde and @jamesfeliix as always were incredible design assistants, modellers and CAD support. Concrete, rubble, and mimeograph. Study in black and white.
