Dezeen Magazine

"Street culture is synonymous with east London" - Lee Broom

East London designer Lee Broom talks about making lamps from crystal decanters and how east London's history and street culture make it an important creative hub in this movie we filmed for the Stepney Green Design Collection.

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

Speaking about working in east London, Broom says "it's important for a designer or creative to be based in an area around other creative people".

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

"It's not just about people feeding on other people's creativity," he continues, "but from a business perspective it's important that we're all in a hub so if people in the industry want to visit you, they can also visit other creatives in the area as well."

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

He also describes how east London has "that mix of history and street culture that gives British design its eclecticism".

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

Broom contributed one of his Decanterlights to the collection, and in the movie he talks about buying the vessels used to make the lights "from antique markets, flea markets and even eBay".

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

The lights were first created in 2010 for Coquine bar and restaurant in west London that he designed.

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

Broom's studio and showroom are located on Rivington Street in Shoreditch, east London - see all our stories about Lee Broom here.

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

The Stepney Green Design Collection consists of 10 products selected by Marcus Fairs of Dezeen from creatives who live near to VIVO, a new housing development in the east London district. The project also includes objects chosen by east London bloggers Pete Stean of Londoneer and Kate Antoniou of Run Riot.

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

The collection is on show at the Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Road, Whitechapel, London E1 4UJ, from 10am to 10pm every day until January. After this, the objects will be given to VIVO residents.

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

See all the items in the Stepney Green Design Collection here and watch the movies we've featured so far here.

Lee Broom on his Decanterlight for the Stepney Green Design Collection

The music featured in the movies is by American designer and musician Glen Lib. You can listen to the full track on Dezeen Music Project.