Iain is a founding member of David Collins Studio. Since 1988, he has helped to steer The Studio from its original incarnation – a staff of two, David and Iain, working from David’s living room – to a 60-strong globally-recognised brand and a leader in the design and delivery of architectural and interior design projects.

From the outset, Iain played a key role in establishing the foundations of The Studio. He brought commercial rigour to the mix, complementing David’s creative ideas and vision, while acting as the guardian of the David Collins Studio brand and helping to develop the three core strands of the business: hotels & restaurants, retail, and residential.

Under Iain’s stewardship, David Collins Studio has steadily expanded its scope and scale: from designing a single retail space, to overseeing the delivery of the Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo worldwide store roll-outs; from creating a destination restaurant like Pierre Koffmann’s La Tante Claire, to realising a 253-bedroom hotel in Seoul. Throughout, Iain has never lost sight of The Studio’s guiding principles: creativity, craft, collaboration, and a near-obsessive attention to detail.

“I have always been passionate about protecting our Studio, playing a part in both its commercial and creative aspects,” he says. “Maintaining the Studio’s financial independence has enabled us to be strategic in our choices. We have always striven to take on creatively rewarding projects with clients who share our vision.”

Outside work, Iain’s great love is fashion and the fashion industry, and his profound understanding of beautifully made objects has given him an innate understanding of the world of luxury. “We’re in the business of delivering a feeling,” he says. “We have always understood the importance of providing a series of touchpoints for people who move in the world of luxury. You might buy a handbag in Alexander McQueen, drink a cocktail at The Wolseley and then spend the night at The Apartment at The Connaught. As the David Collins Studio brand has evolved, we have created our own unique ecosystem within the world of luxury.” Iain is also passionate about craft from a sustainability standpoint.

For Iain, one of the most rewarding and compelling aspects of his work is being able to support exceptional artisans. “We love working with talented people who are as passionate about creating beautiful things as we are. Now, as we look towards developing product ranges, this is even more relevant. It’s a very exciting time for David Collins Studio.”

As Chief Creative Officer of David Collins Studio, Simon Rawlings has overseen the realisation of some of the world’s most iconic hospitality, residential and retail spaces. Since joining in 1998, he has collaborated with clients such as Harrods, Alexander McQueen and Mandarin Oriental, both in reinventing prominent buildings and establishing important new landmarks.

Working on projects across the globe, in a myriad of sectors that spans residential projects (private homes and commercial residences), hotels, restaurants and bars, furniture design, and luxury food and fashion retail design, Simon has been instrumental in setting the blueprint for The Studio’s work, which combines a near-obsessive attention to detail with virtuoso use of colour as a means of crafting mood through environment.

A passionate believer in "creating luxury through quality", he has always been a committed advocate of craft, supporting artisanship while encouraging design innovation. Functionality remains a cornerstone of his design philosophy. This, combined with a profound understanding of brands and an acute sense of the way people live, enables him to design spaces they can use and inhabit in total harmony.

Born in Wales, Simon studied Interior Design at Birmingham University where he gained both his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. He joined David Collins Studio in 1997 and was appointed Creative Director in 2007, overseeing the creative output of The Studio. In his twenty-fifth year at The Studio, Simon’s role was elevated to Chief Creative Officer. Mindful of the importance of nurturing new talent, he now devotes considerable energy to mentoring and teaching.

Simon draws inspiration from everyday observation and from his travels. Under his tenure, David Collins Studio has received more than thirty high-profile awards, including the Prix Versailles 2016 for Alexander McQueen, Paris and The Best Bar In The World 2013, 2014 & 2015 for the Artesian at The Langham, London. He remains committed to the belief that ‘the clarity of an idea ensures the longevity of a design’.

As Design Director of David Collins Studio, Lewis has led the design and delivery of the Studio’s hospitality and retail projects including the Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo worldwide store roll-outs, projects for Harrods, David Morris, McQ, Louis Leeman, Pret A Manger and de Grisogono and most recently the 376 key hotel Le Meridien in Seoul. He works closely with Creative Director Simon Rawlings, ensuring that Simon’s creative vision is realised and overseeing each element of the design and delivery process at a senior level.

Since joining David Collins Studio in 2008, Lewis has tackled an increasingly global scope of projects. “The Alexander McQueen store roll-out was one of the most memorable,” he says. “Each of the 50 stores channels the same design concept – the signature element being a large-scale carved wax panel – yet each is unique. The New York store has double-height ceilings, Tokyo is edgier, while some of the stores were created on much smaller budgets while maintaining the core aesthetic elements. It was both creatively challenging and extremely rewarding.”

Lewis has a particular passion for the FF&E aspect of his work, having started out as a furniture designer – a passion for beautifully made furnishings instilled from an early age with visits to his grandfather’s antique shop. He studied for his BA in Product & Furniture Design at De Montford University and while showing his graduation work at New Designers, was invited to bring in his portfolio by a member of the David Collins Studio team. He was immediately offered a job and started on a part-time basis while studying for his Masters in Design Products at the Royal College of Art (under Ron Arad, in his valedictory year as professor). Lewis eventually joined The Studio full-time in 2006, working closely with David Collins on a variety of projects.

“What David taught me was always to put myself in the customer’s shoes,” he says. “To painstakingly consider every aspect of the user journey. When you’re entering a restaurant, what is the first thing you see, the first thing you touch? When you’re entering a hotel room, is there somewhere to leave your keys and hang your coat? It’s easy to lose sight of the practical requirements of a space when you’re in the midst of the design process, but that is one of the major strengths of David Collins Studio – we’re always acutely aware that a space has to work operationally as well as aesthetically.”

Ros leads The Studio’s commercial team, overseeing restaurant and bar projects, primarily, from the initial concept stage right through to delivery. Originally from South Africa, Ros gained experience with a small interior design company for five years, three of which were spent in Los Angeles working on very high-end private residential projects, before joining The Studio in 2004.

Her work at David Collins Studio has taken her all over the globe, and she particularly relishes incorporating local points of reference into her schemes. "It’s like bringing together two design cultures," she says. "For a recent project in Bangkok, for example, we used Thai artists and had furniture made locally. That involved doing a lot of research into traditional crafts and then translating that into a David Collins Studio design – essentially working with rustic local materials and creating a more refined, contemporary result. Seeing the end product was extremely satisfying."

David manages The Studio’s business operations – a role that includes negotiating contracts, finance, IT, HR and much more. He brings a wealth of domestic and international management experience, having held a range of senior management roles in the media and advertising industries. Before joining David Collins Studio in 2015, he was COO at Andrew Winch Design.

David took his first steps into the world of management while still a student at Leeds University, where he was Social Secretary and responsible for booking bands – ‘much to the detriment of my degree’. As part of his BA in French and Management he spent a year working in Paris, where he ended up working for Burberry for five years, rising to the position of Retail Operations Manager.

Outside work, David’s main interests are family, music, modern art and Manchester City Football Club. He is also the non-exec chairman of an advertising agency.

David’s multi-faceted role at David Collins Studio includes overseeing the brand’s marketing and public relations, leading special projects such as the book, ABCDCS (Assouline, 2014), and Past Present Future – the 30th anniversary exhibition presented at Phillips in London in 2015 – as well as being part of the senior team.

Prior to joining the company in 2007, David worked as surveyor specialising in commercial property, an experience that provided him with a solid commercial grounding. Before that, he gained a BA in English from Brunel University and a Masters in European Real Estate from Kingston University.

He is involved with seeking out product opportunities and new business, while continuing to safeguard the clear understanding, communication and implementation of the David Collins Studio brand.

"At David Collins Studio we’re very much focussed on craft and tradition," he says. "This gives everything we do a narrative, which I believe is what makes us unique: the idea of "storytelling". We’re blessed that our clients afford us the time to create them beautiful hand-crafted bespoke items. That combination of passion, time, research and craft is the real magic of what we do."

Louise’s role involves sourcing and creating bespoke pieces and schemes for David Collins Studio projects. She manages the process from the concept stage through to installation, and is responsible for the creation and management of the project budgets. In her role, she works closely with suppliers and craftspeople across the globe.

Following completion of a Foundation course at Chelsea School of Art and a degree in History of Art and Architecture at Manchester University, Louise went on to work in the fashion and lifestyle sector for various brands, and moved to Delhi for a year and a half where she worked directly with artisans developing products. She joined David Collins Studio in 2010.

"I’m passionate about quality and craftsmanship, my international experience has definitely informed what I do for David Collins Studio. I bring a slightly different viewpoint to the mix with my background in fashion and diverse first-hand production experience. It is important to me to support, and continue, the skill of bespoke artisan craft, and I still get a genuine thrill to see a beautifully made object and know how it will enhance a project."

Siobhan joined David Collins Studio from Louise Bradley in 2018, where she held the position of Associate Design Manager for two years, creating private homes and commercial developments. Prior to that role, she worked client side and also for Candy & Candy.

She has also run her own interior design practice for four years completing multiple private residential projects internationally.

Siobhan holds an MA Cantab in Architecture from the University of Cambridge, and an MA in Architecture from the Royal College of Art, both of which were achieved with honours. She has also completed a Professional Practice & Management in Architecture course at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.

Her pastimes include birding, photography and visiting galleries.

Jason joined David Collins Studio in 2005 following completion of an Art and Design Foundation course and graduation from the BA Hons in Interior Design degree at Edinburgh College. An Interior Architect, he works within the hospitality and commercial sectors of David Collins Studio and feels his strengths lie in people management, be that in communicating with clients and the project teams or nurturing his team here at The Studio.

He has a strong commitment to the David Collins Studio aesthetic, which he sees as, “a timeless aesthetic” one that “makes reference to mid-century design and links this to current narratives – in other words, referring to the past and making it relevant again.” This can be achieved through "stringent project research into the heritage of a building or into your client, and by focussing on individual elements to bring about a new design, to which you add embellishments." Jason has seen many projects through to completion, including Gleneagles, The Delaunay and One Canada Square, and sees his involvement in the development of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at MahaNakhon as a career milestone.

Jason balances his life with an appreciation for the outdoors and travel, to achieve “a sense of escape”. He is very fond of Central and South America and is an avid sportsman.

Joining David Collins Studio in 2013 from David Chipperfield Architects, Marco's had segued working as an architect to an interior architect whilst working on the Café Royal project in London. Previously, Marco studied at The Architectural Association for five years, with a year in Rome working at Fuksas Architects. Marco works across hospitality and retail sectors at David Collins Studio.

Marco had always referenced David Collins Studio projects throughout his career as an architect, and feels that as an architect, "I am looking at interiors from a slightly different perspective, and possibly in a more holistic way."

Marco has enjoyed working on the MahaSamutr resort project in Hua Hin, Thailand, opening in 2019, "because of the scale of the project and the range of private hospitality offers contained within the project", and has led on the redevelopment of the Harrods Foodhalls, which has been "very complex given its status as a listed building, and the operational demands made upon the space."

Marco has played Tennis since he was a child, and is a passionate devotee of the European arts scene in Europe, and a frequent visitor of the Art Basel fayres.

Jennifer joined David Collins Studio in 2017 from Conran and Partners, where she held the role of Marketing Manager for five years. She believes that “the level of detail David Collins Studio delivers is near-obsessive, and makes each project so magical, and so different from one another.”

She was originally drawn to The Studio for its use of colour, which she describes as “confident, daring and bold”, and "unlike anything she had ever seen before.”

Jennifer lives in Barnes, which she loves for its proximity to the river, Richmond Park and The White Hart Pub where she spends much of her time. She lives in a minimalist property that she and her Architect husband designed and renovated, as featured in the Evening Standard Homes & Property pages.

Sadiq joined David Collins as Finance Manager in 2018 from the sports and entertainment marketing agency, Cake, a subsidiary of Havas. Sadiq was attracted to David Collins Studio as he saw synergies between his 360-degree agency experience working with Global Omnicom, WPP agencies and SME marketing agencies, and The Studio, as both are “selling time for a creative process”.

Sadiq brings a wealth of experience to The Studio with a focus on operational efficiency and the streamlining of processes, and balancing this with the nurturing of the Studio’s creative framework. Prior to working in-house for agencies, Sadiq started out in aviation as an Aircraft Weight Balance specialist.

Sadiq is Canadian and moved to London from Toronto in 2006. He has a BA in Digital Media from York University, Toronto and is ACCA accredited. He enjoys cooking and photography.

Emily joined David Collins Studio in 2019 as HR Manager. Emily’s role involves creating and implementing the people strategy for the Studio, managing HR processes, as well as overseeing training and development. She also works closely with the Design team on the Studio’s ESG policies.

Emily has a degree in English Language and Literature and is currently studying for her CIPD qualifications. Prior to joining David Collins Studio, she worked as Operations & HR Manager for Architects practice Piercy&Company.

She loves working alongside brilliant designers and describes her role at DCS as ‘incredibly rewarding - it’s exciting to be part of developing and reinforcing the values of such a talented studio’.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys being time spent with her Son and her Sprocker Spaniel and in her spare time enjoys running and playing hockey.

In his role as Associate Designer, Joseph runs one of the Studio’s commercial teams, and has overseen the delivery of internationally renowned hospitality projects for Mandarin Oriental Doha, Harrods and Kerridge’s Bar & Grill - the first London restaurant venture for leading British Chef Tom Kerridge at the Corinthia London.

Following a BA (Hons) in Architecture from The University of Lincoln, Joseph joined David Collins Studio in 2011 as an intern.

His recent experience includes multiple areas within The Londoner hotel in Macau and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, as well as a boutique hotel in Patagonia.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys all things culinary, and took up bread making over lockdown. He also has a passion for the sciences and loves seeing how the latest discoveries are helping to shape the future.

After completing a BA (Hons) in Textile Design from Chelsea College of Art and Design, Jules went on to study at The Inchbald School of Design.

Prior to joining David Collins Studio in 2021, Jules spent 20 years living in New York. Her career began in textile design before developing into interiors, holding positions at Peter Marino Architects, P Kaufmann and Martha Stewart Living.

Jules is currently working on several high-profile hospitality projects, including a 5* hotel in Las Vegas, a Tuscan steak restaurant in Chicago and a landmark historic hotel in London. She oversaw the Studio’s redesign of cocktail bar Velvet at Corinthia London in 2022, and has recently delivered a full turnkey show house on Hong Kong’s Peak.

In her free time, her love of interiors and beautiful objects continues. She is obsessed with auctions and flea markets, always on the hunt for the obscure and special.

Louise joined David Collins Studio in 2022 as Studio Project Manager, responsible for the day to day planning of our projects from a Commercial aspect.

After studying Fine Art and Textiles at Wimbledon and then Norwich School of Art & Design, she joined the team at renowned British leatherwork designer Bill Amberg as their Sales and Export Manager for 7 years.

After honing her skills as an Executive Assistance for Graphic Design and IT companies, Louise then specialised in Operations and Recruitment, winning Best Recruitment Initiative and as a finalist for Operations Manager of the year, for the multi award-winning chain Fennies Day Nurseries.

But the design industry was still firmly in Louise’s heart, and in 2015 she joined Winch Design as Finance Project Manager, spending 7 years planning for luxury private residential, airplane and superyacht projects.

Louise loves being so closely involved in the delivery of design projects at David Collins Studio, soaking up and being inspired by all the extremely creative talent around her. In her spare time, Louise enjoys swimming, dancing and being ‘re-educated’ on the world by her teenage daughter.

Louise joined David Collins Studio in 2018. After a BA in History from the University of Bristol, she completed internships at British fashion label Shrimps and global auction house Sotheby's. After two years working for interior designer Abigail Ahern, Louise began her time at The Studio within the New Business team.

In her current role as PR Manager, Louise works alongside Marketing and PR Director David Kendall. She is responsible for the Studio's communications strategy, and works extensively with client in-house PR teams and agencies across the world to promote the Studio's diverse portolio of projects.

Louise loves reading, yoga and hand embroidery.

Paru joined David Collins Studio in September 2021 following a Masters in Innovation, Management and Entrepreneurship form Imperial College London. With a background in economics and interior design she supports the Business and Marketing Team at David Collins Studio with all new business enquiries and drafting fee proposals.

She admires the level of detail, layering and individualism within each project produced by David Collins Studio.

Outside work, Paru’s main interests are dancing, travel, and trying out the best new restaurants in London.