Giving Back: Rialto a Hackney Multi-Dimensional Store

article by Francesca Nicolodi

photos by Alex Micu

editorial

Rialto is a proud “Made in East London” store within the beautiful Hackney Downs Studios.

May 9th was a nice Thursday evening in Hackney. Upon my arrival, a flux of Bostons, Sambas, and Dr.Martens crowded Rialto’s façade. People were coming in and out of the store, mouths either chit-chatting, relishing appetisers or sipping on natural wine. In Hackney Downs Studios’ courtyard, people mingled with questions like:

“Where do you live in Hackney?”, “How do you know Amy?”, and “What are you working on?”

Among these cockney residents, Aryana and I had the pleasure of meeting Rialto’s curator, Amy Rollings, and a few of the 15 makers she chose for the opening. It was a big launch party, a gathering of supportive artists, designers, and curators. All interior obsessed.

From outside, Rialto’s window with its thick curtains, paper flowers, and hanging white drapes gave away the sophisticated look of the boutique. Like jumping into an affogato, the boutique baths in this neutral shade of caramel. Between furniture and wildflowers from Leo Flowers, BOBO was serving organic wines from their famous cardboard boxes.

By showcasing local talents, Rialto is a representation of the artistic visions of 15 cockney residents. Warm and textured ceramics were displayed all around. Objects made of locally sourced materials: from ceramic, stone, glass, satin, and aluminium to egg cartons, wool, mail and cardboard packaging. What’s more, art is as much for the pleasure of the eyes as for practicality, here objects are sold for any functionality. “There is no correct way of interacting with art,” said Giuseppe Parrinello at the launch party. It’s the ancient classic plates that might come in handy for a boozy dinner or the BEK ceramics that might be fun to use as flower holders for the spring.

In earthy tones with a touch of bohemian charm, the curation was inspired by Amy Rollings and
Richard Whitaker’s stylish home decorated with pieces from all corners of the world. To differ from white galleries where discomfort, sterility, and silence reign, Rialto displays art for it to be touched and looked at closely, as explained by Gemma Smale during her perediza interview. Inside, a low wooden bookshelf exhibited folded vessels and blue-painted Greco-Roman plates, a bookcase filled with surrealist sculptures and fluffy creature-like lamps and a cherry red console held lava-glaze candelabras and volcano vessels on top of an abstract Victor Sanders painting. Rialto mixes high-profile with up-and-coming local artists, all exhibiting in a space the size of a London studio flat. At the back, a black tiled bench, a big round-cornered table and two velvet chairs invited visitors to sit, relax and chat. This design store breathes movement and expression with its moveable furniture and concrete floors. A space for conversation, imagination, and collaboration.

Just like a social centre, this boutique is shaped by who enters and lives around it. We expect talks, workshops, and parties! Wine tastings, supper clubs, and affogatos!

By finding inspiration close to home, Hannah Smith, Amy Rollings, and Richard Whitaker decided to go against mass-produced merchandise and sell unique pieces of interior. Let’s prevent mom-and-pops from turning into profit-making alienating machines. Boutiques, bakeries, delis, and butchers against Primarks, Tescos, and Prêts. London changes so quickly you might get lost in your own neighbourhood if you leave the city for too long (talking from experience). To prevent store chains and hyper-consumerist mentality from taking over Hackney, Rialto tries to keep it local, giving space to its residents. Named after the old English word for ‘marketplace’, Rialto is a welcoming space. It nurtures a sense of belonging and connection. Rialto was invented with the idea of being adaptable: a store/design studio one day, a gallery/bar another day.

Beyond that, Hackney Downs Studios suits Rialto like a glove, with its growing community of artists, designers, makers and independent creative businesses. On the right of Rialto: a florist, a wellness centre, and a clothing store. On the left of Rialto: a beauty studio and an Italian deli. And with sitting space in the front of each store, Hackney Downs is a good get-together place. Hackney is still the London hotspot for emerging artists and creatives, where Amy Rollings and Richard Whitaker have grown a big community. They decided to give back to their neighbourhood, which had blessed them for decades. How much do you have to love your neighbourhood to open a community space for it? Hannah Smith and Richard Whitaker have offered their neighbours and friends a place to hang out, furnish their homes, and meet like-minded people.

Rialto is full of strange pieces mostly handmade and of recycled materials.

With tropical flowers everywhere, it is modern, intimate and charming. With its walls painted in affogato, velvet chairs and round cornered tables, the place exalts creativity and comfort.

Sarah

Fall vibes

Rialto will be part of the London art scene, from showing London Fashion Week collections and exhibiting during London Craft Week, Rialto will soon make a name for itself.

In addition, the store is in a constant rotating motion with artists coming in and out with objects and ideas. It has a lot of ceramic now but will fall into more metal and glass shortly.

Rialto @rialto_shop

Giuseppe Parrinello @giuseppeparrinelloceramics

Gemma Smale @gemma_smale

Victor Sanders @victor_sandersart

BEK @bek.ceramics

Leo Flowers @leo__flowers

BOBO @bobo_wines

Alec Micu @axelk

Rialto Shop

Fast Company

Eat Work Art

Hackney Downs Studios

Bobo Wines